:Charlotte Sun;

:Oct 7, 2009;

:Punta Gorda Herald;

:PGH19

Charlotte Symphony orchestrates Peter vs. the Wolf

H E R A L D P H OTO S B Y RU T H S P I E S



    Welcome to repARTee, a column encompassing the arts and entertainment in Punta Gorda.

    After months of planning by the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and Charlotte County Public Schools, over 1,200 fourth graders, their teachers and chaperones attended free performances of “Peter vs. the Wolf” on Sept. 22 at the Charlotte Center for Performing Arts and Education.

    For the past five years, the CSO performed Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf” at the concerts. For the first time this year, the CSO presented “Peter vs. the Wolf,”a courtroom comedy sequel written by internationally acclaimed speaker, author and musician Justin Locke. Locke spent the week in Punta Gorda during the rehearsals with Maestro T. Francis Wada, the orchestra and drama students from Charlotte High School.

    According to Chari Stanley Leitch, executive director of the CSO, the concert is the CSO’s gift to the children of Charlotte County. The cost of the program was underwritten by the CSO, thanks to the generosity of local donors, some of whom chose to remain anonymous.

    “Peter vs. the Wolf,” has been performed by symphony orchestras on four continents. It puts a new twist on the original children’s play, “Peter and the Wolf,” written in 1936 by Russian composer and conductor Sergei Prokofiev, who wrote the play to cultivate an interest in music by children in their early years of school.

    “Peter vs. the Wolf” is part of the CSO’s community outreach program, as well as a gift to the community as thanks for its continued long-term support. According to Leitch, the CSO hopes the play will eventually be presented in conjunction with a series of familyoriented performance.

    Ellen Harvey, a curriculum specialist for Charlotte County Public Schools, said that while there were funds available in this year’s budget for projects such as this, local businesses and individuals in the community provided financial support to help ensure performances such as “Peter vs. the Wolf” are offered.

    Additional Showbiz Kids performances for this school year include: Nov. 23, “Nightfall with Edgar Allen Poe” for grades 6-12; Feb. 2, “Alice in Wonderland” for grades K-3; April 23,

    “Nobody’s Perfect” for grades 3-5; and April 27, “Hip Hop Handbook” for grades 6-9.

    During his stay in Punta Gorda, Locke also gave a presentation to the Rotary and an impromptu talk at a reception underwritten and hosted by Mr. and Mrs. David Orlowski. An author of two books, including “Real Men Don’t Rehearse” and “Principles of Applied Stupidity,” as well as two internationally acclaimed family concert programs, Locke shared humorous stories of events that occur behind the scenes of professional music performances. To learn more about Justin Locke, his books and concerts, visit www. justinlocke.com.

    For more information about the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, just visit www. charlottesymphony.com. To order your tickets for upcoming performances, call 941-205-9743.

    Until next week, remember, the arts and entertainment are good for the soul … indulge yourself.

    Ruth Spies is a freelance photographer and artist. Her images are available for purchase locally and at art shows in Southwest Florida under the Companion Prints banner. Contact her at pghrepartee@comcast.net.

Charlotte High School Senior Robert Whyte, above left, as “The Wolf” pleads his innocence to the audience during the ShowBiz Kids, Charlotte County Children’s Live Theater performance of “Peter vs. the Wolf.” The play, written by Justin Locke, is a courtroom sequel to the children’s play by Sergei Prokofiev. The performance by the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra was directed by Maestro T. Francis Wada, above left, and staged by the Charlotte High School drama department under the direction of Cheryl Waal.

Fourth-graders from Charlotte County watch a performance of “Peter vs. the Wolf” at the Charlotte Center for Performing Arts and Education. The event, a gift to the children of Charlotte County, was underwritten by the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra through donations by local businesses and individuals.

Marilyn Smith-Mooney, CSO Board Member Joan Lasley, “Peter vs. the Wolf” author Justin Locke and CSO Executive Director Chari Stanley Leitch chat after the first performance of the play at the Center for Performing Arts and Education.

Guests Derek Dunn-Rankin and Joseph Spinella attended the recent reception for author Justin Locke. A highlight of the evening included two impromptu talks about Locke’s behind-the-scenes adventures as a string bass player with the Boston Pops.