Meet Peter Pan!

British actor Nate Fallows was literally plucked out of the Birmingham School of Acting to play the coveted lead role of Peter Pan in threesixty° entertainment's new production of the classic JM Barrie story. Our flip camera caught a few moments with Nate during a break in between performances in San Francisco where Peter Pan made its American premiere. The show plays there through September 5 before it comes to Orange County September 28 for its Southern California debut. Check back next week to see a video with Jonathan Hyde who plays Captain Hook and Mr. Darling.

A Night in Neverland

The Center’s group buyers were transported to Peter Pan’s Neverland last night for a magical preview party at the Center Club complete with a pirate ship, mermaid and crocodile. Nearly 200 guests got a special sneak peak at the spectacular new production of JM Barrie’s Peter Pan by threesixty° entertainment which makes its Southern California debut here on September 28. Robert Butters, one of the producers of Peter Pan, was on hand to discuss the show’s storied history and guests also watched behind-the-scenes footage of the state-of-the-art theater pavilion that travels with the production, dazzling flying scenes and amazing puppets. The evening culminated with the raffle drawing of Michael Ann Nameroff as the winner of the Neverland weekend package - a one-night hotel stay at the Wyndham, dinner for two at the Center and a dream flight excursion by Sunset Flying.

Pictured above: David and Jennifer Sonke, Geri and Steven Dorman

Picured above: William Tran and Kathy Lew

Pictured above: Lucky raffle winner Michael Ann and Steve Nameroff

The Writing Is On The Wall!

Mel Brooks’ New Musical Young Frankenstein will be alive at the Center September 12 – 25. The wall of Segerstrom Hall overlooking the community plaza currently boasts a monster-size banner heralding its arrival. Don’t miss this sweet mystery of musical theater.

In the Heights Singer Brings Good Luck to the Angels!

That’s our story and we’re sticking to it. In the Heights star Genny Lis Padilla sang the national anthem Monday night, August 9 for the Angels before a crowd of 40,000-plus fans. The Angels, by the way, routed the Kansas City Royals. She also performed “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” for the 7th inning stretch. (In the Heights runs through August 15 – so you can see Genny there too.)

Photo credit: Oscar Cheda

Zippity Zumba

More than 20 people left sweaty and happy after In the Heights cast member Sandy Alvarez taught a Zumba-inspired dance class today at The Sports Club/LA in Irvine. During the hour, the class learned a variety of Latin dance rhythms like the salsa, samba, merenge along with hip-hop and other fun moves thrown in. Sandy gets a major workout every night performing in the touring production of In the Heights which won one of its four Grammy Awards for Best Choreography. Catch Sandy in the show while its here through August 15.

Photo above: Sandy with Mark and Angie Gaeta

Soaring to New "Heights"

The Center's Summer at the Center program for at-risk and underserved high school aged youth culminated with the students performing free Broadway revue-style shows in Samueli Theater last weekend. The public performances included the title song from the Tony® and Grammy® Award winning musical In the Heights, which is currently playing the Center through August 15. The students will return next week to see the show - for many it will be their first experience seeing a musical. Click on the video to watch the students' performance.

For two weeks, 38 Summer at the Center students were immersed in intensive music and theater workshops. The program utilizes the performing arts to engage the participants and empower them to overcome adversity in their lives, build self esteem, develop social skills and become peer role models. During the program's 19 years, it has continually been praised for helping to change and improve the lives of young people.

Way to go Summer at the Center 2010!

Be My Baby

Fifty lucky people (out of a crowd of 3,700) got the chance to play “Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner” shower contest last night before the Center’s showing of Dirty Dancing at free Movie Mondays. Contestants played traditional baby shower games such as pass the pacifier with a straw relay, draw a picture of baby on a paper plate placed on your head, drink juice the fastest from a baby bottle, blow up a balloon and stick it under your shirt the fastest and scoop up as many cotton balls into a bowl while blindfolded.

Winners of each game won prizes from Corner Bakery, the OC Fair and Gelson’s. The baby shower contest was based on the main character played by Jennifer Grey and a line said by leading man Patrick Swayze in the film. Guests also got a special treat before the screening – In the Heights cast member Rayanne Gonzales performed a number from the musical which opens tonight and runs through August 15. Click here to see the performance. And Banana Republic gave away a $500 gift certificate to celebrate the opening of the remodeled women’s store at South Coast Plaza. Thanks to the OC Fair and the retailers for providing all the great giveaways!

Free Movie Mondays concludes this summer with the showing of Mad Hot Ballroom on August 9.