Jan 9, 2008

HISTORY TAKES CENTER STAGE

Burlingame to kick off centennial festivities with musical on Friday

By Mark Abramson / Daily News Staff Writer

"Dancing Ansons" and a whole lot more will bring Burlingame's 100 years of history to life in a play that spans the decades from the city's beginnings when people flocked to the Peninsula after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake to more modern times.

The play, titled "Burlingame The Musical: A Class Act," was written by city resident Jeriann Fleres, who helped assemble a troupe of about 60 actors of all ages to perform three shows, starting with Friday night's debut.

Director and co-writer Cathy Foxhoven described the play as an onstage history lesson.

That history includes tidbits on Bing Crosby, a former Hillsborough resident whose children attended Burlingame schools; Lee Mendelsohn, whose production company produced "Charlie Brown" cartoons while he lived in Burlingame; and Sarah Winchester, heiress to the Winchester rifle fortune, who kept an ark docked in town for use in the event of a disaster. Winchester is known for her odd, sprawling mansion in San Jose, now called the Winchester Mystery House.

"(The audience) will be surprised with how many cool things happened here," Fleres said.

"There is so much history," Foxhoven added.

The play is part of the city's yearlong centennial celebration, which culminates June 6 with fireworks and a ball.

Foxhoven said one of her favorite parts of the play, which depicts children learning the city's history in a classroom, is the story of Freddie Kohl. The former Burlingame resident built the Kohl Mansion on Adeline Drive before he committed suicide in 1921. There are also lessons about the Native Americans who once inhabited Burlingame.

Former city council member and Burlingame Historical Society President Russ Cohen will take the stage as one of six "Dancing Ansons," a group dressed as Anson Burlingame. Burlingame, a congressman from 1855-1861, once owned much of the land the city of Burlingame now sits on.

The historical society helped the play's creators research the city's history, Cohen said.

Work on the play actually started about 1 1/2 years ago. It was initially going to be a variety show, but when it became apparent that the locals involved have real talent, the play idea was born, Fleres said. The actors have been rehearsing since September.

Play organizers said they are looking forward to audiences' reactions.

"I think what they will enjoy most is they will get a feeling of what Burlingame is about and that this is a town of culture," Fleres said.

"Burlingame The Musical: A Class Act" will be performed at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Burlingame High School campus. Tickets are $20 for reserved seating and $10 for general admission. To buy tickets, contact the Burlingame Parks and Recreation Department at 650-558-7300.


E-mail Mark Abramson at mabramson@dailynewsgroup.com.