‘Indian Summer’ a lively history lesson from SCR

Tom Titus

If only old “Uncle Jeff” could see his story set to music on the

brand new stage of South Coast Repertory.

Before he passed away in 1928, 84-year-old Thomas Jefferson

Mayfield -- who had been raised by the Choinumne Yokuts Indians in

what is now Tulare County -- related his story to historian Frank

Latta, who had convinced the old man to break his decades-long

silence.

That story, “Adopted by Indians,” serves as the inspiration for

“Indian Summer,” a 45-minute playlet by Richard Hellesen with

original music by Michael Silversher. It’s SCR’s annual Educational

Touring Production, which will be offered to 107 schools in five

local district. It was given its world premiere performance Monday on

the theater’s Julienne Argyros Stage.

Directed -- as have been all 31 seasons of the Educational Touring

Production -- by SCR’s John David Keller, “Indian Summer” is geared

toward fourth-graders, who are studying California history this term.

It’s a lively four-person exercise in making the past come alive for

youngsters.

Peter McDaid, a young actor who already has off-Broadway credits,

takes on the central role of young Jeff, who accompanies his

treasure-seeking parents from Texas to California in 1850, the year

after gold was discovered at Sutter’s Mill -- taking the long way,

around South America. Realizing they’ve arrived too late, the

Mayfields settle instead in the San Joaquin Valley, a place the

Indians have called home for centuries.

There Jeff meets a young Native American, Koo-Nance (Christopher

Lorenz), whose language is altogether foreign, but Jeff eventually

learns the Indian tongue when his widower father (Scott Most) leaves

him in their care for weeks and months at a time. At first wary, and

then curious, Jeff finds himself assimilated into the native culture.

Completing the cast is SCR veteran actress Hisa Takakuwa, who

appears first as Jeff’s mother, then as the Mexican mother of

Koo-Nance, offering Jeff a thorough lesson in two foreign languages.

As educational as it is entertaining, “Indian Summer” offers some

authentic insight into California’s history a century and a half ago.

McDaid and Lorenz are particularly adept at portraying the youngsters

who become friends and rivals.

“Indian Summer” is scheduled to tour elementary schools in Orange

and Los Angeles counties through May 2. Bookings are still available.

A public performance will be given at 10 a.m. Feb. 11 at Santa Ana

College’s Phillips Hall for schools unable to book the tour.

School officials wishing more information should contact SCR’s

Education Department at (714) 708-5549.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot. His

reviews appear Thursdays and Saturdays.