Students invited to ‘see a show, win a scholarship’

Ramona teen stars in production

Art Animates Life is partnering with California State University San Marcos, the San Marcos Arts Council and the San Marcos Community Foundation to bring the historical stage production, “Passage Into Fear,” to San Marcos’ Connors Hall.

To underscore the play’s historical accuracy, history and social science teachers are encouraged to assign attending the show as extra credit. A copy of the play is available to any teacher upon request.

Students who submit a 300-word to 500-word essay outlining what they learned about the war will be eligible to receive a $500 scholarship from Art Animates Life, the play’s producer. Complete details are at artanimateslife.org.

Passage Into Fear flyer for emails, NOT printing..FEATURE“Passage Into Fear” is a thriller inspired by classics such as Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Lady Vanishes” and “Strangers on a Train,” and Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express.”

The play, set in 1917 during the waning days of World War I, is being presented in conjunction with a series of the 100-year observances of the Great War taking place across the globe.

The early 20th century is further brought to life by period music, song, sets and costumes, along with computer-controlled lighting and sound effects.

Ramona High student Shannon Linder plays the courageous, irrepressible American, Kate Hedly, in the production. The daughter of Lou Ann and Mark Linder, Shannon played the part of Belle in the PowPac production of “Mr. Scrooge & Mr. Dickens” three years ago. She also has been in “Alice in Wonderland,” “The Little Mermaid” and many Ramona High drama productions.

Also in the cast are John Aviles, Marsi Carr, Betsy Toker, Baruch Guerro, Peter Bunn, Audrey Linder, Laura Makey, Julio C. Mas, Aisa Diaz, Jeff Makey and Milburn Stevens.

“Passage Into Fear” is set onboard a transcontinental passenger train. An elderly woman, Miss Lillian Merriweather, boards the train insisting she knows of a plot on an international scale, then promptly disappears. Other characters include a young American woman on a final fling in Venice before returning home to be unhappily married, a pugnacious 8-year-old war orphan, a member of Parliament and his wife, an elderly gypsy who has wandered the continent homeless for more than 50 years, a handsome young Swiss doctor hiding an immense secret, and a ruthless German countess bent on achieving her evil ends no matter who gets in her way.

The solution to Miss Merriweather’s disappearance ultimately has its roots in understanding the causes and history of the war itself.

There will be six performances: 7 p.m. Sept. 12, 13, 19 and 20 and 2 p.m. Sept. 14 and 21. Tickets are $9 for general admissio and, $5 for children 15 and younger. Special group pricing is available.

Shows take place in San Marcos’ historic Connors Hall, itself nearly 100 years old. Located in Heritage Park and nestled amongst Victorian homes, Connors Hall is a setting that embodies the Historical Society’s motto: “Where History Meets Discovery.”

Proceeds from the production will benefit San Marcos Historical Society.

For more information and tickets, call 760-706-0107 or visit www.smhistory.org.