Briefly in Datebook

Orange Coast College’s Theater Department will host auditions for its

fall production, Brendan Behan’s “The Hostage,” from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct.

9-10 in the Drama Lab Theatre.

An Irish comedy, “The Hostage” is the story of a British soldier and

his Irish captor, who eventually befriends him.

All roles have either British or Irish accents, and the actors in five

major roles must be able to sing. Auditioning actors should be prepared

to sing any song unaccompanied. Good Celtic dancers are also needed.

The script is available for preview in OCC’s drama department.

Under the direction of theater professor Alex Golson, the play will

run Thursdays through Sundays, Nov. 30-Dec. 3 and Dec. 7-10.

The college is at 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa. Information: (714)

432-5640.

Music to the ears of families

Pacific Symphony Orchestra will open its 2000-01 Mervyn’s Musical

Mornings Family Concert Series with “What’s Your Major?” at 10 and 11:30

a.m. Oct. 7.

The 45-minute concerts, held at the Orange County Performing Arts

Center, are meant to expose children 4 to 11 and their families to

symphonic music. The first concert will focus on the works of child

prodigies, such as Mozart and Mendelssohn. The program will also feature

two Orange County prodigies -- composer and pianist Sebastian Chang, 12,

and composer Kit Armstrong, 8.

There also will be a musical treasure hunt, free to ticket holders, at

9 a.m. for those attending the 10 a.m. concert and at 12:15 p.m. for

those attending the 11:30 a.m. concert.

Individual tickets are $13-$16 for adults and $11-$14 for children

younger than 11. Subscriptions to the series are also available.

The Center is at 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Information: (714)

755-5799.

OCC opens symphony season

Orange Coast College’s Symphony Orchestra will open its 40th season at

7:30 p.m. Oct. 15 with a concert featuring an American premiere by a

contemporary Russian composer and works by Johannes Brahms and Gioacchino

Rossini.

“Ernest Hemingway” -- a two-act, two singer opera by Youri Kazarian --

will be performed in the second half of the evening. The opera, to be

sung by soprano Deborah Mayhan and baritone Benito Galindo, received its

world premiere two years ago in Havana, Cuba.

Other highlights for the 60-piece orchestra include Brahms’ Symphony

No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68 and the overture to “The Thieving Magpie” by

Rossini. The 2000-01 season will focus on the works of Brahms; three of

his four symphonies will be performed.

Tickets in advance are $6, $10 at the door. The concerts will be

performed in OCC’s Robert B. Moore Theatre, 2701 Fairview Road, Costa

Mesa. Information: (714) 432-5880.