Musical honors Mother Earth

Unlike Al Gore, the actors in “You’re Getting Warmer” don’t have a platform that rises dozens of feet into the air to show how carbon dioxide levels have skyrocketed over the years.

But the cast of South Coast Repertory’s educational play at the Orange County Fair brings in just about everything else to make its message appeal to a broad audience. During the 45-minute musical, presented twice every day at the fair on the Ralphs Family Fair Way stage, the actors change into colorful costumes, sing, dance and work in outlandish props — including a giant thermostat, a houseplant under a glass dome and an orange to represent the sun.

Naturally, with terms like “fossil fuel,” “carbon dioxide” and “global warming” dominating the dialogue, it’s a balancing act to keep the play lively for young audiences. But when South Coast Repertory performed the show at elementary schools throughout the region this year, it got a positive response from both kids and adults — which made it a perfect fit for the fair this summer.

“They choose shows that are always going to be relevant to what’s going on,” said Jennifer Zaragoza, who works in the ticket office for South Coast Repertory. “The last decade, it’s all been about energy crises.”

“You’re Getting Warmer” tells the story of a typical suburban boy who craves the air conditioning in his home on a hot summer day and then goes to investigate when the cold air mysteriously stops working. As it turns out, a polar bear named Ursula has stowed away in his family’s freezer in search of cool temperatures; the ice caps around her home up north have started to melt.

To help Ursula return home, the two go on a surrealistic trip that involves a pair of scientists, a pair of competing fuel salespeople (one who offers fossil fuel, the other alternative energy) and even a pair of technicians who control the earth’s temperature.

Along the way, there are plenty of songs, including the title number, whose chorus goes “We’re getting warmer/The thermostat is down with that.”

Daniel Chaffin, who plays the male lead, said he hopes the play will spread an environmental message to kids, but noted that he believes the change is already underway.

“I’m driving through Irvine and you see these huge buildings with solar energy,” he said. “It’s great. The only thing is, it’s expensive right now. But I think it’s going to catch on like hybrid cars.”

Jill Williams, a stay-at-home mom from Laguna Beach who brought her two children to the play Saturday, said she thought the story would resonate even more with her generation.

“I’m sure little kids got the message, but I think it’s really good for the adults,” she said.

“The kids enjoy the songs and the costumes, but I think adults will connect with the message more.”

HOW TO COOL OFF

Here are four tips for fighting global warming from the cast of “You’re Getting Warmer”:

 Turn off your computer at home when you’re finished using it; even in sleep mode, it eats up power.

 Install solar paneling in your house or business.

 Use fluorescent light bulbs in your home instead of regular ones, because they last longer and use less energy.

 Seek alternative energy sources rather than traditional fossil fuel.

TODAY AT THE FAIR

WORLDWIDE PUNK

Two venerable punk rock bands with highly different styles — the Dropkick Murphys play with an Irish twist, while the Mighty Mighty Bosstones mix in a little ska — will share the bill Sunday at the Pacific Amphitheatre with the Vandals, who hail right from Huntington Beach. The show begins at 7 p.m. and tickets are $39.50.

DEMOLITION DERBY

Engines will rev, tires will screech, and dust will fly during the 8th annual “Orange Crush” Demolition Derby in the Action Sports Arena. The free-for-all begins at 3:15 p.m. and again at 8:15 p.m. Event is free with fair admission.

FIT FOR A CHIP

Kitchen masters from around the area will face off in a dip competition, with categories for cheese, fondue and others. Registration is complete, and no samples will be given out; but passersby might pick up a tasty recipe or two. The competition starts at 1 p.m. in the Home Arts & Crafts Gallery in the Main Mall.

MICHAEL MILLER may be reached at (714) 966-4617 or at [email protected].