WHAT THE UNDERDOGBLOG IS ALL ABOUT: AUDITIONS FOR A CHRISTMAS CAROL AND COMING SOON -- MAN WITH A MISSION TO GIVE OUR SOLDIERS CARE PACKAGES FOR CHRISTMAS AND HE NEEDS YOU!

Dear Readers:

The other day, a friend called and asked if it was OK to post opposition to one of the issues on the blog. Of course it is. While I may not agree, it doesn't mean we should not look at every angle. In the recent Point Fermin controversy, many residents had much to say, pro and con. As always, my side rests with the kids. If you're looking for my ulterior motives, just figure out the best stance for the kids and you'll find where my heart lies. But as an impassioned advocate for children, I -- like anybody else -- may miss an important piece of information or more.

Please feel free to make comments on the blog; the only requirements are that writers stick to the issues and don't maliciously attack anyone. I for one, would have loved to see many readers put comments on Amy Epperhart's beautiful piece of poetry, The Moth. So many readers came up to me and told me how beautiful her piece was. It would be nice if she could see those comments on the blog.

It's the same story with the Youth Aquatic Center. The man aiming to build such a facility in San Pedro was told many times how wonderful his idea was. If you like it, say it! If you don't, say it too. But again, stick to the issues. And be kind to other's feelings -- especially those of kids. When kids create, adults can be the first to stamp out their artistic side, even when they don't mean to.

Cheers.

Diana

P.S. One last thing: if you have art, writing or funny photos of your children, please send them to me in J-peg format at hartchap@cox.net. We get so wired in our busy lives, we miss creative pieces from kids like Amy. I'm just sure there are many more out there -- and for some reason -- that poem just made my day.


AUDITIONS FOR THE CLASSIC DICKEN's "A CHRISTMAS CAROL," READY TO BEGIN THIS COMING MONDAY
By Ray Buffer, artistic director of the Relevant Stage Theatre Company

Audition times are still available for actors and singers (adults and children) for The Christmas Carol. Call 310.929.8129 for an audition time.

The Christmas Carol is a stage adaptation of Dicken's classic story "A Christmas Carol"

The Relevant Stage begins its annual tradition of offering The Christmas Carol, a stage adaptation of Dicken's classic story "A Christmas Carol" to families in December.

Written during a time of decline in the old Christmas traditions, Dicken's original book played a critical role in redefining the importance of Christmas and the major sentiments associated with the holiday.

An old and bitter miser, Ebenezer Scrooge, undergoes a profound experience of redemption over the course of one night. Mr. Scrooge is a financier/money-changer who has devoted his life to the accumulation of wealth.

He holds anything other than money in contempt, including friendship, love and the Christmas season.The cast is augmented with the inclusion of the Youthorizons Chorus, a community choir consisting of youths from the San Pedro area, ages 10 - 18 performing Olde English Carols.

Please call 310.929.8129 or email auditions@therelevantstage.com before Monday, Oct. 27.

Location: Warner Grand Theatre - 478 W. 6th Street, San Pedro, California, United States


Choristers:Any gender, aged 10 to 18 from California, USA Choristers Lead / Male / Female / All Ethnicities / 10 - 18 years Description: Young boys and girls, ages 10-18 will sing Olde English Carols intermittently throughout the play. Wardrobe: Victorian

Elizabeth/Chorister:Any gender, aged 10 to 14 from California, USA Elizabeth/Chorister Featured / Female / All Ethnicities / 10 - 14 years Description: Elizabeth is a street kid who runs errands for Scrooge and doubles as a caroler. Wardrobe: Victorian

Herald/Chorister/ScroogeAs A Boy: Males, aged 10 to 14 from California, USA Herald/Chorister/Scrooge As A Boy Featured / Male / All Ethnicities / 10 - 15 years Description: Herald is an errand boy who fetches the poulterer; This role also sings as a caroler and portrays Scrooge as a very young boy singing "Silent Night" alone in a room. Wardrobe: Victorian

Maggie Cratchit/Mrs. Fezziwig:
Females, aged 30 to 50 from California, USA Maggie Cratchit/Mrs. Fezziwig Featured / Female / All Ethnicities / 30 - 50 years Description: Maggie Cratchit is wife to Bob, mother to Tiny Tim - very opinionated; Mrs. Fezziwig is the queen of the ball and the hostess with the mostest. Wardrobe: Victorian

The Spirit of Christmas Present/Simon or Simone:
Any gender, aged 20 to 50 from California, USA The Spirit of Christmas Present/Simon or Simone Featured / Male / Female / All Ethnicities / 20 - 50 years Description: "Christmas Present" can be either male or female; the role doubles for Simon or Simone - the town gossip. Wardrobe: Victorian/Fantasy

Young Ebenezer/Townsperson:

Males, aged 20 to 30 from California, USA Young Ebenezer/Townsperson Featured / Male / All Ethnicities / 20 - 30 years Description: Through flashbacks we see Young Ebenezer fall in love (dance at Fezziwig's) and become separated from Sylvia. This role also doubles as a towns person. Wardrobe: Victorian

Sylvia/The Spirit of Christmas Yet To Come :Females, aged 20 to 30 from California, USA Sylvia/The Spirit of Christmas Yet To Come Featured / Female / All Ethnicities / 20 - 30 years Description: Sylvia is the love of young Scrooge's life who breaks up with him and marries another; The Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come is a scythe-wielding omen. Wardrobe: Victorian/Ghastly

The Spirit of Christmas Past/Oscar Males: aged 20 to 40 from California, USA The Spirit of Christmas Past/Oscar Featured / Male / All Ethnicities / 20 - 40 years Description: Christmas Past is a ghost/Oscar is the son of Archibald - a man who borrowed money from Scrooge Ghost:

Jacob Marley's Ghost/Archibald Males: aged 50 to 70 from California, USA Jacob Marley's Ghost/Archibald Featured / Male / All Ethnicities / 50 - 70 years Description: Marley is Scrooge's dead partner who comes back to haunt him; Archibald is a man who has borrowed money from Scrooge. Wardrobe: Victorian/Ghastly

Bob Cratchit/Fiddler Males, aged 30 to 50 from California, USA Bob Cratchit/Fiddler Featured / Male / All Ethnicities / 30 - 50 years Description: Cratchit works for Scrooge and is
father to TIny Tim; The fiddler, is seen at Fezziwig's party - and does not need to actually play the violin. Wardrobe: Victorian

Reginald/Mr. Fezziwig Males, aged 30 to 60 from California, USA Reginald/Mr. Fezziwig Featured / Male / All Ethnicities / 30 - 60 years Description: Reginald is the fundraiser who approaches Scrooge. Fezziwig is the former employer of Scrooge, who throws a party for his employees. Wardrobe: Victorian

Tiny Tim Cratchit :Males, aged 10 to 18 from California, USA Tiny Tim Cratchit Featured / Male / All Ethnicities / 12 - 18 years Description: Young male 12-18 bears a little crutch and has his limbs supported by an iron frame Wardrobe: Victorian

Ebenezer Scrooge :Males, aged 50 to 70 from California, USA Lead. A charismatic miser with presence, capable of broad emotional range. Wardrobe: Victorian