Vista Academy musical upcoming

VISTA -- The Vista Academy of Visual and Performing Arts will present "Don't Count Your Chickens Until They Cry Wolf," a musical comedy version of Aesop's Fables at 7 p.m. Nov. 8 and 10:15 a.m. Nov. 9 at the school, 600 N. Santa Fe Ave.

The public is invited to both shows. Performed by the school's middle school theater majors, the production is directed by Claudia Leonesio and Steve Phelps, with music by Kay Beeson. Tickets cost $6 for adults, $3 for students. For tickets and more information, call (760) 941-0880.

'Unique boutique' to benefit WMS arts programs

VISTA -- The third annual Donna's Unique Boutique returns to Washington Middle School from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 8 to raise funds for the school's arts programs.

Room 502 will house the boutique, which will feature original clothing and jackets, as well as jewelry and skin care products. Drawings for $10 gift certificates will take place between 4:15 and 5:15 p.m. The community is invited.

For more information, call (760) 724-7115, Ext. 2502.

'Oliver!' opens Nov. 10

OCEANSIDE -- Coast Kids Theatre and Star Theatre Co. Production will present "Oliver!" -- the musical based on Charles Dickens' "Oliver Twist" -- Nov. 10 through 19 at the Star Theatre, 402 N. Coast Highway.

The show is directed by Ann Schulz, and choreographed by Bobbi Janikas and Dinah Smith. Kim Froke is musical director. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10, 11, 17 and 18; and 2 p.m. Nov. 11, 12, 18 and 19. Tickets cost $14 for adults; $12 for seniors, the military and students; and $6 for children younger than 12.

Tickets will be available at the box office, or can be purchased by calling (760) 721-9983.

Music Club performance set

CARLSBAD -- California Music Studio will present "Music Club," featuring performances by students on piano, guitar and violin, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Nov. 11 at the National Association of Music Merchants headquarters, 5790 Armada Drive. Admission to the informal recital is free. For more information, call (888) 227-6222.

'A Little Princess' to open

OCEANSIDE -- Christian Youth Theater will present "A Little Princess" at 7 p.m. Nov. 11, 17 and 18, and 2 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Truax Performing Arts Center, El Camino High School, 400 Rancho del Oro Road. Tickets range from $8 to $13. Call (800) 696-1929.

'Oz' performances continue

FALLBROOK -- The Fallbrook Junior Conservancy's production of 'The Wizard of Oz,' which premiered Oct. 27, will run through Nov. 12 at the Mission Theater, 231 N. Main St., Fallbrook.

The musical is part of a local celebration of the 150th birthday of 'Oz' author Frank L. Baum. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10 and 11, and 2 p.m. Nov. 12. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $8 for children, and can be purchased at the box office across the street from the theater or by calling (760) 731-2278. On Nov. 10, in honor of members of the armed forces, veterans and active-duty military members will receive a $2 discount on tickets. For more information about the conservatory, and the 'The Wizard of Oz' production, log on to http://www.fallbrooktheater.com.

Theater workshop offered

CARLSBAD -- Classic Youth Theatre will hold a workshop Nov. 7 through Dec. 19 for young people interested in performing a female version of "The Odd Couple" written by Neil Simon.

Performances of the comedy are planned for the spring. Parts could be turned into male roles for interested young men.

The workhop will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 7, 14 and 28, and Dec. 12, 14 and 19. Cost is $85. To reserve a spot, call (760) 730-9447.

Nutcracker 'sneak peak' planned

CARLSBAD -- A Sugar Plum Tea & Toy Drive to benefit the children of the Casa de Amparo shelter will be held from 4 to 5:15 Nov. 12 in the multipurpose room at Aviara Oaks Middle School, 6900 Ambrosia Lane. The event will feature treats, crafts and other activities, as well as a sneak peak of Carlsbad Youth Ballet's upcoming production of "The Nutracker."

Admission is the donation of a new, unwrapped toy; $5 for children and $10 for adults without a toy donation; and free for seniors who R.S.V.P. Tickets for Carlsbad Youth Ballet's full production of "The Nutcracker" will be on sale at a special discount price.

For more information, log on to http://www.carlsbadballet.com. Call (760) 445-5122 to R.S.V.P.

Local youths cast in CYT show

NORTH COUNTY -- Two local teens are among those cast in Christian Youth Theater's upcoming production of "Beauty and the Beast," to run Nov. 10 through 18 at Mission Hills High School, 1 Mission Hills Court, San Marcos.

Austin Cesar, a 10th-grader at Canyon Crest Academy in Carmel Valley will play Cogsworth; and Kaitlyn Terrill, a junior at Rancho Bernardo High School, will play Mrs. Potts.

The production marks Austin's ninth show with CYT. Past roles have included Huck Finn in "Tom Sawyer," The Cat in the Hat in "Seussical the Musical," Judus in "Godspell" and Linus in "Snoopy!!!"

Kaitlyn has been in 22 CYT shows. Past roles have included Susan in "Narnia," Queen Evangeline in "Snow White," Nancy in "Oliver!" Peppermint Patty in "Snoopy!!!" and Becky in "Tom Sawyer."

Performance times are 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10, 11, 17 and 18, 2 p.m. Nov. 11 and 18, and 3 p.m. Nov. 12 and 19. Tickets cost between $7 and $12. All seats are reserved. For more information and tickets, call (800) 696-1929 or log on to http://www.cyt.org.

Christmas Theater Festival planned

VISTA -- North County youngsters will be featured in three productions of the 11th Annual Christmas Theater Festival presented by Premiere Productions and the Broadway Theater.

"The Littlest Angel," which features an adult and youth cast, will be performed at the Broadway Theater, 340 E. Broadway, Vista. Show times will be 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 through 6, 11, 12, 14, and 18 through 20. Tickets cost $15 for adults and seniors, $7 for children younger than 12. Call (760) 806-7905.

"Annie," also with a mixed-age cast, will be performed Dec. 7, 8, 10, 13, 16 and 22. Tickets cost $15 for adults. $12 for seniors and students, $7 for children younger than 12. For show times and tickets, call (760) 724-2110.

With an all-youth cast, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer will run Dec. 9, 10, 15, 16, 20 and 23. Tickets cost $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students, $7 for children younger than 12. For show times and tickets, call (760) 724-2110.

Art contest for students with hearing loss offered

NORTH COUNTY -- Students with hearing loss in grades nine through 12 can compete for prizes and an all-expenses-paid trip to Rochester, N.Y. in the inaugural Digital Arts and Animation Competition, sponsored by Rochester Institute of Technology's National Technical Institute for the Deaf.

The national competition recognizes students' artistic expression with awards for first place and honorable mention in the following categories: Mixed Digital Media, Web Page Design, Graphic Media, 3-D Animation, Interactive Media, Photo Illustration and Free-Hand Art in Digital Form.

To qualify, students must submit an entry form, a 150- to 300-word descriptive essay and artwork on CD or DVD. Additional requirements and information are available at www.rit.edu/NTID/Arts. The submission deadline is Dec. 1. Rochester Institute of Technology is internationally recognized as a leader in computing, engineering, imaging technology and fine and applied arts, and for providing unparalleled support services for students with hearing loss.

The institute is home to the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, where more than 1,100 students with hearing loss from around the world study, live and socialize with 14,400 hearing students on the campus.