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Main Street LGHS alumna continues her theatrical careerBy Mary Ann Cook
CALLBACKS: Alicia Gangi, who graduated from Los Gatos High School in 1994, is remembered for her dramatic work then, having played Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls, Chava in Fiddler on the Roof and Gladys in Pajama Game. She received three call-backs when auditioning for the production of Rent in San Francisco.
Encouraging news, but it doesn't necessarily mean she'll be chosen for a role in the rock musical. What it does mean is she was in a gradually diminishing group, whittled down from the original 700 auditioners. She was one of the first in line on the first audition day.
Since Rent just opened in San Francisco yesterday, the casting directors aren't necessarily looking for people for this production. More likely they are looking to fill touring companies or to replace any actors who may have to leave before the run is finished.
Gangi graduated from San Jose State University with a dance degree and worked for Company I, a song and dance group, while at SJSU. She has choreographed productions for Mitty and Monta Vista high schools, Hoover Middle School and San Jose Children's Musical Theater.
She starts her second season at Paramount's Great America soon. And she sings with the band Millennium Funk Party. For the audition, she sang a rousing Aretha Franklin song called "Think" and was asked to sing "Take Me or Leave Me" from Rent, a song sung by Maureen, a rambunctious lesbian performance artist.
"They said 'nice work,' but it's too early to tell if it will lead to a role," Gangi said.
RECOUPING: Racecar driver Dave Byrd, who grew up in Los Gatos, is recouping in San Jose after a horrendous crash in Phoenix in early February. He collided with Dave Mears Jr., then was hit by a car driven by Eddie Bryans. That crash ruptured the fuel cell and set Byrd's car ablaze.
Byrd suffered burns to face, chest and neck and now is undergoing treatment after release from the Maricopa County Burn Unit. Byrd is a Stockton 99 Speedway and Altamont Raceway Park champion. The collision occurred during the NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series Consolation Race.
Byrd's mailing address is PO Box 511, Los Gatos, 95031. For information about funds set up for Byrd, contact Renee Byrd Hammer, his sister, at (360) 678-2900.
ENGLISH TEA: The AAUW Los Gatos-Saratoga branch will hold its 11th annual English Tea and Silent Auction March 13 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church, Geary Hall, 13724 Saratoga Ave., Saratoga. The event is a benefit for homeless women and children.
In Achord, a quartet that's an offshoot of the Showcase Chorus Sweet Adelines Barbershop group (shouldn't it be beautyshop quartet in this case?) will provide the entertainment for "Swinging through the Years," the event's theme. Donation is $20, and the numbers for reservations are 867-4383 or 867-6237.
Though several local women are part of the award-winning Bay Area Showcase Chorus, none of them is a member of In Achord.
Showcase Chorus members are Pat Le Bezer, director; Judy Hendrickson, Bonnie Klett, Brenda McLean and Marisa Riparbelli, all of Saratoga. Los Gatans include Gina Laws, Janice Maurry and Linda Morgan. The silent auction leads off at 1 p.m., and the tea and entertainment follow at 2 p.m.
SPEECH WINNERS: Stephanie Cheung of Los Gatos High and Kristin Bottenberg of Westmont were chosen to represent the Lions Club in the annual California-Nevada Student Speaker Debate. The subject was "Cloning--How Far Should Science Go?"
Some 276 attempts were made at cloning sheep before success with the famed Dolly. In other Lions news, members who direct Bingo on Monday nights at the Blind Center raised $79,000 for the center in 1998.
RUMMAGE SALE: The History Club's annual rummage sale is March 10, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and March 11, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. On sale are clothing, cooking utensils, TV sets, bookcases, exercise equipment, furniture. Contact numbers are Joan Brown at 269-0787 or Betty Ulrich, 265-0932.
KIDS ART: A reception for the fourth Annual Kids' Art Event at the Tait Museum will be held March 7 from 1 to 4 p.m. The artwork is from Loma Prieta School children taught by an outside group called Kids and Company, and directed by Bridget Frieri.
Also on exhibit is work from students of well-known artist Ruth Tunstall Grant, who has a studio in Los Gatos and teaches at the Children's Center for abused children in San Jose.
The museum also has a natural history collection on display. At Forbes Mill is an exhibit of historic photos and artifacts called "Los Gatos--Our Town," showing until April 18.
COOKING CLASSES A LA ITALY: La Rusticana, a Tuscan-style villa on Kennedy Road in the Los Gatos hills, offers monthly cooking classes at $75 per. The classes are on Thursdays starting at 5:30 p.m. The next one is March 11 for Easter regional specialties.
Next in the series is A Dough by any Other Name on April 8. Bring a bottle of a favorite wine to drink. Chef is Franca Coletta at (650) 347-3029. Call after 6:30 p.m.
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
