Acting out historical lessons at the library

It may be winter, but Newport Beach Public Library is all set for “Indian Summer.”

That’s the educational play, put on by the South Coast Repertory, set to raise its curtains Saturday at the Central Library.

Set in the middle of the 19th century during California’s Gold Rush, “Indian Summer” explores the true story of Thomas Jefferson Mayfield, a boy who lived with the friendly Choinumne Yokuts tribe.

The production revives a play written for South Coast Repertory’s annual Educational Touring Productions, a program that commissions original musical plays dealing with important issues and tour them around Southern California elementary schools. Nearly 35,000 children see these plays each year.

As well as being fun, the plays always tie into the school curriculum, said South Coast Repertory spokeswoman Madeline Porter.

“It goes along with what the students are learning,” she said. “Last year we did ‘You’re Getting Warmer,’ which was about the environment. This year it’s more social studies oriented.”

The library show is a departure from the normal focus on school classrooms, Porter said.

Shows will start at 10 a.m. and noon, with each 45-minute production followed by a 15-minute talk-back with the cast. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Shows are free.

— Michael Alexander