Spinning yarns for students

They gasped at a scenery change, groaned at a seaweed sandwich and cheered on a chicken.

Students in kindergarten through the second grade at Lincrest Elementary School in Yuba City seemed enchanted by "Colonial Yarns" put on Tuesday by the B Street Theatre School Tour in Sacramento.

Actors in the play — which begins in 1776 — portray characters that include Benjamin Franklin, Betsy Ross, George Washington and a French designer who's sure he's got better ideas than Betsy Ross for the new American flag.

Among his flags is a post-modern design that deconstructs the American dream.

"And I thought the English were snooty," another character says of the French designer portrayed by actor Sean Alexander.

The chicken won over students by avoiding a pioneer's plans to shoot him and make a meal out of the fowl. A colonist also eats a seaweed sandwich as the early Americans struggled to survive in the new world.

Kindergarten student Max McDermott gave "Colonial Yarns" a glowing review.

"It was awesome," he said. "And it was really funny."

The visiting theater company performed the play a second time for students in the third through fifth grades.

The B Street Theatre School Tour, its Web site notes, performs 12 times per week, 38 weeks per year in schools, hospitals and public places before about 200,000 children annually.

Elisabeth Miller, principal of Lincrest Elementary, noted the students' attention to the play.

"It has a magic," Miller said of the enduring power of theater. "You can feel it with the kids."

Actor Alexander, who like fellow B Street Theater School Tour member Michael Pollock and others portrays several characters, said seeing a live play often spurs students' interest in the theater.

"We try to outreach to the kids," Alexander said, noting the question-and-answer sessions the actors host with students after performances.

The touring theater company will perform the play until Nov. 25 and then start "Colonial Yarns with a Twist," which runs through Dec. 18.

B Street Theater School performer Ryann Lee said putting on the play to different audiences teaches a lesson about what consistently amuses youths.

"They love the chicken," Lee said.

A scenery change dazzled students watching the play, which includes a character lesson.

"Honesty is a quality of men with exceptional character," the father of George Washington tells young George.

Contact Appeal-Democrat reporter Ryan McCarthy at 749-4707 or rmccarthy@appealdemocrat.com.