This performance is rec- ommended for families . Influenced by nature and its rela- with children ages 5 and tionship to the human anatomy, above. Tickets are $8 A musical version of Carrie Seid's translucent wall sculp- advance/$9 at the door. Alexander and the Terrible, tures look like pods, organs and shells Prior to the Saturday Horrible, No Good, Very suspended in space. "In my work I morning performance, Bad Day is coming to attempt to convey the anatomy of Youtheatre will offer a Youtheatre at Music Hall. feeling through form, structure and "Pre-Show Playshop," a Performance times are 11 the glow of saturated color," says the hands-on workshop that a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday Jewish artist, who received her under- GAIL ZIMM ERMAN explores creative dramat- Arts Entertainment and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. graduate degree from Rhode Island ics. The workshop is Editor 18-19. The story, adapted School of Design and an MFA from priced separately at $8 from Judith Viorst's popu- the Cranbrook Academy of Art. for each child; reserva- lar children's book, is set "My approach to tions can be made when purchasing to music by Shelly structure reflects the tickets. (313) 963-2366. AtIgentialaik, Markham and progression and trans- directed by Nick formation seen in nat- Olcott. ural growth systems TAKING PRISONERS From the such as the chambered Written in the 1970s, Neil Simon's moment he wakes nautilus," says Seid. The Prisoner of Second Avenue is time- up, Alexander faces She thinks of her less. The play tells the story of an a bundle of unwel- pieces as "bodies" American couple. The husband loses come events. He which hold and reveal his job, causing him to have a mental starts out the day a mysterious energy or breakdown, and his wife has to join with gum in his emotion or as the workplace and become the family's hair, and at break- metaphors for "carry- sole breadwinner. fast he watches his ing life forces." While the subject matter is any- brothers pull amaz- Currently an thing but funny, Simon's snappy dia- ing prizes out of instructor at the School logue provides the comedic touch that their cereal boxes of the Art Institute of proves the playwright to be way ahead while he ends up Chicago, Seid is of his time — 30 years ahead of Scott with plain ol' cereal. exhibiting her work at Adams' popular "Dilbert" cartoon His day gets even the Sybaris Gallery character in the humorous portrayal of worse at school and through Jan. 15. This the downsizing of corporate America. doesn't improve is her third show at the Jewish Ensemble after school, when Royal Oak gallery. Theatre willpresent The he receives bad news at the dentist. Seid begins her pieces with ply- Prisoner of Second Avenue Just when he thinks things can't get wood. The surface of the plywood is Dec. 22-Jan. 23 in the much worse, he doesn't like what's for painted and affixed with strips of cop- Aaron DeRoy Theatre, dinner or the evening's TV programs. per and mylar that provide physical located in the lower level No wonder he wants to escape to support for the sculptures and give of the Kahn Jewish Australia, where everything is upside them their three-dimensional volume. Community Center down! Lightly waxed silk is then stretched Building in West This production is part of the over the forms, its translucent mem- Bloomfield. Directed by Kennedy Center Imagination branes akin to human skin. the award-winning Mary Celebration on Tour. "The Kennedy Seid's latest constructions are pared Bremer, the cast includes Center is one of the most prolific cul- down. Plywood squares hung in grid- John Siebert, Henrietta tural organizations in this country," like configurations on the wall reflect Hermelin Weinberg, says Zina Kramer, Michigan member the artist's new minimalist attitudes as Evelyn Orbach, Fred of the Kennedy Center's President's does change in color. She has replaced Buchhalter and Rochelle Advisory Committee for the arts. her usual hues of blue, green and Rosenthal. "Through programs like orange with soft shades of white, Show times are 7:30 Imagination Celebration on Tour, the cream and gray. p.m. Wednesdays, Kennedy Center brings arts and cul- The Sybaris Gallery is located at 202 Thursdays and Sundays; 8 p.m. ture to people all across the country. E. Third St. Gallery hours are 11 a.m.- Saturdays; and 2 p.m. Children and adults alike will benefit 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. For more Sunday/Wednesday matinees. Tickets from this entertaining musical." information, call (248) 544-3388. are $15-$25, with discounts for seniors ORGANIC ART HAVING A BAD DAY JET mounts a production of "The Prisoner of Second Avenue" Dec. 22-Jan. 23. Says playwright Neil Simon, "[kV one of those plays I hadfbrgotten about and when I saw it again, I really liked it." and students. For more information and tickets, call (248) 788-2900. The Cultural Committee of Congregation Shaarey Zedek will sponsor a performance of The Prisoner of Second Avenue 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 16, followed by an after- glow. Tickets are $16.50, and reserva- tions must be accompanied by a check. For more information, call the synagogue, (248) 357-5544. SICK & TWISTED? Heeding the advice of longtime fans who want more new materi- al, the folks at "Spike and Mike's Sick and Twisted Festival of Animation" have brought together 20 brand-new cartoons (and just a couple of old favorites) for their latest compilation, run- ning Dec. 21-Jan. 2 at K. Ferndale's Magic Bag. Spike and Mike are California-based cartoon connoisseurs who have been producing and showcas- ing new animation for the past 20 years. FYI: For Arts and Entertainment related events that you wish to have considered for Out & About, please send the item, with a detailed description of the event, times, dates, place, ticket prices and publishable phone number, to: Gail Zimmerman, JN Out & About, The Jewish News, 27676 Franklin Road, Southfield, MI 48034; fax us at (248) 354-6069; or e-mail to gzimmerman@thejewishnews.com Notice must be received at least three weeks before the scheduled event. Photos are appreciated but cannot be returned. All events and dates listed in the Out & About column are subject to change. 12/17 1999 80