Why were they amazed? Because, with only a month and a half of preparation, and a set consisting of a few black curtains and flats, a card table and some folding chairs, the all-student ensemble managed to pull off a thoroughly charming evening of entertainment.

The "play" was actually four short plays, each completely separate from the other. The unifying theme between all of them was comedy and language.

Ives' off-beat humor explored the challenges of what we say, how we say it, when we say it and ... what is the result of all that.

His tools for this exploration were such weird characters as a woman with a speech problem (Alley Hauptman), a fake professor (Oliver Leighton), young people in bad diners (Eathan Keiffer, Lolly Brown, Michael Kruszewski and Joni Hansen) and three monkeys (Zenze Manley, Jennea Combs and Oliver again). Talk about eclectic!

The energy of each performance was catching! Although the dialogue was fast and sometimes a bit quiet, there was never any doubt about what was happening on the stage. Even when Leighton spoke knowingly in a made-up language, we knew what he was saying to his unsuspecting victim, played with tender naivete and sincerity by Hauptman.

When two people sit at a table for an entire skit, this should be boring, right? Keiffer managed to do this twice in two skits without a boring minute in either one of them. His partner in the first skit, Lolly Brown, joined him in a string of bell-divided "do you come here often" conversations that can best be described as "mind-boggling, laugh-filled, perfectly timed snappy patter.”

And, when Kieffer showed up again in "Philadelphia" (Keiffer's name for the place where you can never get what you want), Kruszewski and Hansen were there to challenge the his premise and then hysterically send him to Philadelphia, himself.

And in the middle of these intellectual challenges were, what else? Monkeys! Yes, three monkeys, trying to write “Hamlet” together.

From the moment Manley stuffed a whole banana in her mouth and ran up and then down a teeter-totter, I was hooked. Coombs pranced across the stage with attitude in a fetching tutu while Leighton slipped effortlessly into his "to be or not to be" phase, and I knew for sure that Shakespeare would never be the same. What a hoot!

This production was the creation of directors John Tomlinson and Jenna Radke, two grownups who have no problem thinking with the creativity of children while "cracking the whip" on the talent. The results were very insightful and adult performances delivered with zip, zest, laughs and pure enjoyment to a very appreciative audience. Congratulations, guys! You were all stars!

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Bottle Rock at AT&T Park on Halloween. From left to right, Stephen Holland, Mike Wilhelm, Neon Napalm, Mark Phillips and Bill McMenomy. Courtesy photo.

Bottle Rock Blues and Rhythm Band featuring Mike Wilhelm and Neon Napalm will supply live music. There is no admission charge.

The Blue Wing is adjacent to the Tallman Hotel at 9520 Main St., Upper Lake, and is open daily from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. The phone number is 707-275-2233.

To book rooms, the Tallman reservation desk is 707-275-2244.

For further information go to www.bluewingsaloon.com or www.tallmanhotel.com.

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Animation films present a set of challenges, usually to be overcome with some new technique or creative approach. With a pedigree forged from the union of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, “Bolt” is a pioneering piece of technical marvel otherwise known as Disney Digital 3-D.

This is Disney’s first animated feature to be conceived and designed for 3-D, meaning that it’s an in-house production where quality control is paramount. The filmmakers save the best 3-D moments for big action sequences, avoiding the pitfalls of excessive and unnecessary gimmicks.

Despite the amazingly well-done animation, “Bolt” is more interested in its story than dazzling with its effects. This movie should be equally enjoyable in the absence of the 3-D format.

Like most Disney films, “Bolt” fills the screen with laughs and adventure, but pulls on the emotional heartstrings with tender efficacy. Bolt (voiced by John Travolta), a white-haired canine, lives in the fantasy world of Hollywood, where he’s the star of an immensely popular TV series about a pooch with incredible super powers whose every day is filled with adventure, danger and intrigue.

He’s very attached to his owner and TV co-star Penny (voiced by Miley Cyrus), who’s constantly in danger and needs to be rescued by Bolt. The villainous star of the TV series is Dr. Calico (Malcolm McDowell), whose fiendish plot for world domination is abetted by cats acting as accomplices. Indeed, Dr. Calico is a low-rent James Bond villain, more or less on par with Dr. Evil from the Austin Powers movies.

Living in his fictional world, Bolt has come to believe that he’s been genetically engineered to have amazing powers, including incredible strength, laser vision and a powerful superbark. Bolt is accustomed to stopping speeding cars or ripping up asphalt by exercising sheer physical power beyond all reason. Breaking loose from his on-set trailer when concerned for Penny’s safety, Bolt is accidentally packed in a crate and shipped to New York.

Once in Manhattan, Bolt finds that reality begins to challenge his delusions, discovering that daredevil stunts don’t go according to plan. Wandering aimlessly through the city streets, after several predictable mishaps in the urban jungle, Bolt takes hostage a scrappy, streetwise alley cat named Mittens (voiced by Susie Essman), embittered at having been abandoned by her human owners.

Convinced that Mittens is one of Dr. Calico’s henchmen, Bolt insists that the sarcastic feline will show him the way back to California, a plan that takes root when they find a Waffle House place mat with a map of the United States. Indeed, the story requires that you suspend major disbelief about the resourcefulness of domesticated animals.

At a rest stop somewhere in fly-over country, Bolt and Mittens encounter Rhino (voice of Mark Walton), an eager hamster sealed in a plastic ball who spends too much time watching television. As a result, Rhino happens to be a diehard fan of Bolt’s adventures who has memorized the details of the dog’s numerous missions. Leaving the safety of his RV, Rhino heeds the call of duty, living out his ultimate fantasy by teaming up with Bolt for a real-life adventure.

Given that this is an animation film where little of the action passes for even remotely credible, “Bolt” takes tremendous liberties with reality, though it goes down smoothly because of the humor. It’s fun for adults and children, though for different reasons, to watch the trio of mismatched animals traversing the country in search of Hollywood.

Memorable encounters include a breakout from the pound and getting advice from pesky pigeons, whether the obnoxious New York wise guys or the aspiring screenwriter types in Tinseltown.

The wonderfully delusional Bolt is the star of the show, but he is frequently at risk of being upstaged by the sassy Mittens, who has to undertake the task of teaching the superhero dog how to act like an ordinary pooch. Nevertheless, there’s an enjoyable dynamic between cat and dog, trading on the usual suspicions, though Mittens gets the best lines, often dripping with sarcasm.

Aside from a few disturbing images, particularly of raging fire threatening the lives of animals, “Bolt” is terrific family-friendly entertainment for audiences young and old. Disney delivers great animation and laughs, a nice combination.

DVD RELEASE UPDATE

When the studios come up with clever packaging for some old movie favorites, the urge to buy is almost irresistible.

For reasons not clear to myself, I’ve always loved the “Pink Panther” cartoons as well as the movies. Well, the cartoons are sometimes better than the movies, particularly when you start reaching the end of the film franchise with duds like “Curse of the Pink Panther” and “Son of the Pink Panther.”

But, this “Pink Panther Ultimate Collection” just might be an absolute necessity, since it includes nine films, nine cartoon classics and the quintessential encyclopedia, “Pink Panther, the Ultimate Guide to the Coolest Cat in Town.”

I love the original 1964 “The Pink Panther,” starring Peter Sellers as everyone’s favorite bumbling detective. The collector’s edition of this classic comedy film contains over 60 minutes of never-before-seen footage that can only be found in this special box set. This is what I want for Christmas.

Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.

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Twenty to 30 items by local artists will be featured at the auction. Courtesy photo.

LAKEPORT – The Lake County Arts Council will hold its next live auction of artworks on Saturday, Nov. 29, as a part of the Dickens Market festivities.

The auction will be at the Main Street Gallery, 325 N. Main St., Lakeport, beginning at 1 p.m., and the work will be available to preview at 11a.m.

All work auctioned at this event will be from the collection of the Arts Council. Experience shows that this is an opportunity to purchase good art at unusually low prices.

There will be sculpture, paintings and prints, as well as photography, weavings, embroidery, art books and art supplies. There will be no silent auction, bake sale, entertainment, dinner or speeches, and it should be over in an hour.

The nonpareil auctioneer, Bert Hutt, is quite electric on the podium. You may know him in one of his other roles, as musician, actor or artistic director of the Soper-Reese Community Theater, but you shouldn't miss his performance with the auction hammer.

There will be 20 to 30 items to be auctioned. Starring in this auction are two lots of multi-part ceramic sculpture by the late Dani Burch, beautifully framed prints by Linda Becker and paintings by John Eells. There will be wine and refreshments served for participants.

For more information, call the Main Street Gallery at 263-6658 or visit the LCAC Web site at www.lakecountyartscouncil.com. Some items from the auction will be on display a week in advance at the gallery.

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LAKEPORT – Laugh alert!

Here is a good time that won't cost you much but will lift your spirits. It's called, “All In The Timing.”

Why will it be a good time? Because it is four short comedies presented by a bunch of teenagers at Clear Lake High who are long on talent.

Playwright David Ives has mastered the art of wit and charm and these kids know exactly how to serve it up ... with style and a smile.

This production will run Friday, Nov. 21, and Saturday, Nov. 22, at the Marge Alakszay Performing Arts Center on the Clear Lake High School campus on Lange Street in Lakeport.

Show time is 7:30 p.m. and the cost at the door is only $5 for adults and $3 for students.

You can't beat the price or the value. See you there!`

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This orchestra, under the inspired direction of John Parkinson, has reached the point that word is now getting out: If you want outstanding orchestral music in the north counties, head for Lakeport.

This was amply born out during the recent 30th anniversary of Clear Lake Performing Arts, the orchestra's one and only sponsor.

Parkinson had created a program which let some of his best players shine – and they did so, brilliantly.

The concert took place at Clear Lake High School's Marge Alakszay Center in Lakeport.

It opened with a special presentation by the Konocti Fiddle Club, directed by Andi Skelton who doubles as symphony concert mistress and first violin, and consisted of a medley of bluegrass and country favorites including " Boil that Cabbage Down," "Shady Grove," "Folsom Prison Blues" and a commemorative version of "The Anniversary Waltz."saluting CLPA's birthday.

The full orchestra then took the stage with Schubert's "Rosamunde Overture," written originally in1819 to a lukewarm reception and then lost until 1867, long after the composer's early death. On its resurrection it proved to be a hit, and the CLPA audience understood why after hearing the flawless rendition by the Lake County orchestra.

Parkinson then brought together two different overtures from operas adopted from the same original playwrite – Beaumarchais – but with the music written by two completely different composers.

The first, the ever-popular "Barber of Seville" was a signature piece by Rossini and his most favored opera. This led into Beaumarchais' second play, " The Marriage of Figaro" which was adapted to opera by Mozart decades earlier than Rossini's "Barber." Under Parkinson's skilled direction, and the skills of half a hundred musicians, the talents of both composers were amply displayed;

After the melodic offerings of Mozart and Rossini, Jacques Offenbach's thunderous opening to "Orpheus in the Underworld" jolted the audience wide awake with clashing cymbals, before lulling into dreamlike melodic sequences captured perfectly by the blended woodwinds and strings of the orchestra. It culminated in a light-hearted rendition of the well-known "can-can" later adopted by several generations of follies dancers.

Following intermission, with complimentary cookies and juice served by the ladies of the CLPA Auxiliary, the CLPA Youth Orchestra, directed by Wes Follett, presented their string version of the traditional Blue Ridge tune "Cripple Creek," after which the annual auction of the conductors baton took place, with last year's winner Richard Birk surrendering the piece to new winning bidder Erhard Arndt of Kelseyville.

Arndt's winning bid was for $650 which gave him the right to mount the podium and lead the orchestra in a reprise of Mozart's "Marriage of Figaro" which he declined to do, opting instead to defer conducting duties to 13-year-old Corey Thomas, who is a CLPA scholarship recipient and also a member of Andi Skelton's Konocti Fiddle Club.

Mozart's "Serenade in D, No. 6" provided a perfect opportunity for individual members of the orchestra to demonstrate their talents, since it includes such interesting instrumentation as a quartet with strings and timpani. The quartet was made up of John Weeks, cello; Rick McCann, viola; with Andi Skelton and Jeff Ives on violin. Ives usually is seated in the cello section, but this time shifted – with great expertise – to violin. They were supported by Tim Ellis on timpani.

The final symphonic selection was Haydn's Symphony No. 104, the last of the 12 symphonies written by the composer during his final visit to London. It is generally conceded to be the crowning achievement of Haydn. Presented in four movements, it established a benchmark for symphonic composition that endures to this day.

The program ended with a well-deserved standing ovation from those in attendance.

Following the concert nearly a hundred CLPA and orchestra members retired to the theater building at the Lake County Fairgrounds for a no-host catered barbecue buffet and the chance to toast both Clear Lake Performing Arts and the Lake County Symphony on their three decades of providing fine music to Lake County.

Charter member Mildred Pickersgill provided a brief background for both groups. She was also a member of the orchestra for 20 years.

The symphony's next appearance will be the annual Christmas concert on Sunday, Dec. 20 at 3 p.m., also at Clear Lake High School.

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