All for One!
The Three Musketeers
1 p.m., Sunday, through Oct. 23
5317 E. Speedway Blvd.
327-4242
You may be familiar with The Three Musketeers story, but you probably haven't seen it performed like this before. All Together Theatre, the family series at Live Theatre Workshop, has transformed the play into a fresh, new musical.
"The challenge of working with a well-known play is that people have certain expectations," said Michael Martinez, the musical's director and music composer.
"But I wanted to work against those expectations and have the audience open up to something new."
This version certainly is a new adaption. Written by Richard Gremel, the show is a fun, action-packed story of how The Three Musketeers came to be. What makes this musical stand out, though, is the audience participation.
"We really wanted the actors to interact with the audience," said Gremel. "We want the audience to feel like they're a part of the show."
The audience is encouraged to sing-along and help the actors free Princess Constance, who's being forced against her will to marry Prince Frederick, the son of the queen. "There's an ongoing joke throughout the play that Prince Frederick is really ugly," said Gremel.
"So we get the audience to yell, 'Bleh!' every time he comes on stage."
Martinez, along with his collaborator Amanda Gremel, have led the All Together Theatre program for six years, producing a handful of shows every year. "It keeps getting bigger and bigger," said Martinez. "We're helping to create a family tradition of going to the theater on the weekends," he said.
Tickets are $5 for 18 and younger; $8 for 18 and older. If you pay with a check or cash, you'll receive a dollar off your ticket.—A.L.
Buzzin' Cousins
The Lively Bees and Their Contemporaries: Invertebrates of Southern Arizona
9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, through Wednesday, Sept. 14
The Ranch House Gallery
12325 E. Roger Road
749-3718
Photographer Georgette Rosberg has the eye of an artist, but the heart of a biologist. "I have friends who are entomologists," she said. "So I'm always asking them to take me on trips to look at bugs." Rosberg's latest exhibit, "Lively Bees and Their Contemporaries: Invertebrates of Southeastern Arizona," showcases both her love of insects and her stunning photography.
"I take some photos in my backyard," she said. "I set up my camera at night and catch bees while they're sleeping." said Rosberg.
Bees are an appropriate subject for Tucson because the city is buzzing with them. "Tucson has an incredible 1,500 species of native bees," said Rosberg. "Our city is one of the best viewing places for bees, birds and mammals," she added.
Rosberg's exhibit takes place at the Ranch House Gallery, located at Agua Caliente Park. The park, incidentally, is one of Rosberg's favorite places to photograph her subjects. "I love the park," she said. "There are beautiful dragonflies, beetles, damselflies, bees and grasshoppers."
Her favorite insect, though, is the agapostemon, a particular genus of sweat bees. "They're very small with bright green and yellow colors," she said. "All the male ones sleep together on one particular tree branch in my backyard."
The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday. Rosberg said she plans to be at the gallery every Saturday to answer questions about the photographs and its subjects. She hopes that the exhibit dispels stereotypes about bugs. "They aren't big and scary, but cute," she said. "They're like us: They eat; they sleep; they hunt; they work."—A.L.
Historical Equines
"Discover the Horses That Discovered America"
9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 27
Amerind Museum
2100 N. Amerind Road
Exit 318 off Interstate 10, Dragoon
586-3666
For the past two years, project manager Maureen Kirk-Detberner has been campaigning for the Spanish Colonial horse to become the Arizona state horse. And this past March, her hard work finally paid off when Gov. Jan Brewer declared it Arizona's State Heritage Horse.
The Spanish Colonial Horse, also known as the Spanish Barb Horse, has quite the history here in Arizona. Way back in 1687, Father Kino, a renowned Spanish priest, brought the horses over from Spain to Arizona. "He couldn't have settled here without the horses," said Kirk-Detberner. "There were no roads and the missions were 20 to 25 miles apart from each other; the horses were everything."
The event, sponsored by the Spanish Barb Association, will take place at the Amerind Museum. Event highlights include a lecture by Apache historian, Dale Curtis Miles, on the horse's impact on Native American cultures; a presentation and book signing by Silke Schneider, author of Arizona's Spanish Barb; and a presentation by the Father Kino Society. There will also be fun activities for kids, like a scavenger hunt.
The public will also get to see some of these horses up close and personal.
"We're going to bring the horses out and introduce them to the crowd," said Kirk-Detberner. "This event is the chance for the public to see what (the horses) look like, what they do."
Aside from having a rich, long legacy, these horses are special because they are so rare. In fact, there are very few left in Arizona. "We are close to losing a wonderful, genetic jewel," said Kirk-Detberner. "We're hoping that the event will encourage the younger generation to step up and assure the longevity of these horses for generations to come."
Admission is $5. Free for Native Americans, active military and children 12 and younger.—A.L.
Home Run!
Final Tucson Padres Home Games
7 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 25 through Sunday, Aug. 28
Kino Stadium
2500 E. Ajo Way
434-1367
If you haven't been to a Tucson Padres baseball game this summer, now's your chance. This Thursday marks the final five home games of the season. Cheer the Padres onto victory as they play the Reno Aces.
"We want to finish strong, and go off into the off-season with lots of excitement," said Tucson Padres' vice president and general manager, Mike Feder.
With players like Anthony Rizzo, the Padres are sure to score. At only 22, the first baseman has racked up 100 RBIs and 20 home runs this season.
"He has a chance to be a star player in the big leagues," said Feder. "He's in contention to be player of the year."
If watching great baseball wasn't enough, these last five games promise lots of giveaways. On Thursday night's double-header, enjoy drink specials, including $1 Buds. Plus, college students with a school ID get in for $4.50. And be sure to come early and watch the winner of the Tucson Weekly's first ever "Show Us Your Pitch" contest, as they throw the first pitch.
Bring your kids on Friday for the Padres' Jersey Tote Bag giveaway. The first 2,000 kids—ages 6 to 16, with paid admission—will receive one.
On Saturday, come on down for the Fireworks Spectacular show. That night, the first 2,000 adults get a free Tucson Padres Sun Shade, to cool their baking hot cars.
And finally, on Sunday night, Feder said that the Padres will thank their fans and sponsors by handing out vouchers for $1 admission or $4 reserved seats. And feel free to bring your dogs: They'll be admitted for free with their owners on Sunday. Fans with dogs may sit out on the grass berm in the outfield or in the seats down the foul line.—A.L.
