The capricious nature of fortune is the thread running through Peninsula Youth Theatre’s 2006-07 CenterStage season of five full-length musicals, four of which will play on the non-profit company’s home stage at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts. Only the summer YoungStage production will take place at Cubberley Community Center Theatre in Palo Alto.

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF: In “If I Were a Rich Man,” Tevye the dairyman muses about how different his life in Anatevka would be if God had granted him a small fortune. But although he longs for change in the financial arena, he clings to tradition on the cusp of the Russian Revolution.

Based on the short stories of Sholom Aleichem, this miracle of musicals opened in 1964, starring Zero Mostel as Teyve. The following year, it grabbed nine Tony Awards, including best musical, best book (by Joseph Stein) and best score (by lyricist Sheldon Harnick and composer Jerry Bock). With 3,242 performances, Fiddler on the Roof became the longest-running show in Broadway history, a record it held until 1979. Since then, it has been revived four times on the Great White Way. The movie version, starring Chaim Topol, earned eight Oscar nominations and three awards.

THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE: In a startling contrast to Tevye, country bumpkin Millie Dillmount embraces change in an effort to improve her lot in life. In true flapper fashion, she bobs her hair, raises her hem, and moves from the Corn Belt to the Big Apple, convinced that she will get what she wants by marrying a rich man. The problem is that old- fashioned love and white slavery get in the way.

Based on the 1967 Oscar-winning film of the same name, Thoroughly Modern Millie was 2002’s most honored show on Broadway, winning six Tony Awards, including best musical. This thoroughly entertaining romp through the rip-roaring ‘20s features 15 songs, including two from the film, four Jazz Age standards and nine new songs by Jeanine Tesori (music) and Dick Scanlan (book and lyrics).

CINDERELLA: The world’s most popular fairy tale is a classic rags-to-riches story, but the Kate Hawley-Gregg Coffin version is anything but traditional. Originally performed to great acclaim by Shakespeare Santa Cruz in 1999, this madcap musical recasts Cinderella as a popular British pantomime.

In England, a “panto” has nothing to do with mime; instead it’s a heart-warming, tuneful trifle that blends fairy tale, vaudeville, standup and revue. Chances to play along, nudge-nudge-wink-wink allusions and a bleating chorus of “baa-a-a-a-d” hoofers ensure that young and old alike will have a ball. Think Mother Goose meets Monty Python.

Cinderella was the first of several pantos written by Santa Cruz playwright Hawley, who grew up in Los Altos. Her other works include “Gretel and Hansel,” with music by Craig Bohmler, and “The Princess and the Pea,” set to music by Adam Wernick.

A LITTLE PRINCESS: PYT’s next production, based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, tells a Cinderella tale in reverse. Sara Crewe has led a charmed life with her beloved father in India when she arrives to be educated at Miss Minchin’s Select Seminary for Young Ladies in London. Eager to stay in the heiress’s good graces, Miss Minchin fawns over her, allowing Sara many special privileges -- until word comes that Sara’s father has been killed and his fortune stolen.

In an instant, Sara’s life takes a U-turn, with Miss Minchin forcing her into servitude and banishing her to sleep in the attic. But possessed with an indomitable spirit, Sara takes her change in status in stride, earning the love and admiration of her peers.

A hit when PYT first produced it in 2001, this delightful musical by Vera Morris and Bill Francoeur will be performed by actors ages 7-11.

SWEET CHARITY: PYT’s teens and alumni will wrap up the season with the story of Charity Hope Valentine, an incurable romantic who expects to reverse her fortune with every man she meets at the Fandango Ballroom, where she ekes out a living as a taxi dancer in the swinging ‘60s. Although a promising encounter with a charismatic Italian film star elicits a jubilant “If My Friends Could See Me Now,” it’s a timid tax man who ultimately wins her heart of gold.

Written by Neil Simon (book), Cy Coleman (music) and Dorothy Fields (lyrics), Sweet Charity opened on Broadway in 1966, with Gwen Verdon in the title role. It garnered 12 Tony nominations, winning for Bob Fosse’s sizzling choreography. The musical was revived 20 years later, starring Debbie Allen, and again last year, featuring Christina Applegate. A film version starring Shirley MacLaine came out in 1969.

Check your mail later this month for season ticket information.

For the tenth consecutive season, PYT will offer Stories on Stage on the MVCPA’s intimate SecondStage as a counterpart to its full-length, fully produced musicals. These simple 45-minute dramatizations of acclaimed children’s literature are designed to foster literacy by encouraging children to “read the book, then see the play.” The lineup for the 2006-07 season is: “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” by Washington Irving on Oct. 20 and 21; “Many Moons,” by James Thurber (Nov. 17-18); “A Christmas Carol,” by Charles Dickens (Dec. 15-16); “Mr. Popper’s Penguins,” by Richard Atwater (Jan. 19-20); “Pippi Longstocking,” by Astrid Lindgren (Feb. 16-17); “Ten Minutes Until Bedtime,” by Peggy Rathmann (March 23-24); “Charlotte’s Web,” by E.B. White (April 27-28); and “James and the Giant Peach,” by Roald Dahl (May 25-26).

Show times are 9:30 and 11 a.m. Fridays, and 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Saturdays.

Check your mail later this month for season ticket information!

Dicken's Carollers are a PYT touring group that performs a capella carols and seasonal favorites during the winter holidays.

Auditions for the 2006 season will be held on Thursday, July 6 at 4:30pm. Ages 12 and up. No appointment or preparation necessary - auditionees will be taught parts in a song at the audition. This is a limited cast opportunity.

For more information contact Chris Nielsen at (650) 988-8798 x314.

Join us at PYT's next CenterStage production, Wonderland: a musical journey "Through the Looking Glass" with Alice and her friends.

Wonderland features an eclectic musical score by Bill Francoeur, who has published more than 75 musicals for the amateur theater market and is considered to be that market’s most published composer. With songs ranging in styles from country western to hip hop, Wonderland has something for everyone!

Featuring a talented cast of 7-11 year old performers, Wonderland runs July 7 - 16 at the Cubberley Community Center Theatre.

PYT volunteers Alette Mahler, Chris Nielsen and Victoria Villeneuve were honored at a Junior League luncheon on April 28 at the Hyatt Regency Santa Clara.

Each received a certificate of appreciation for the energy and affection they have dedicated to PYT over the past year.

Alette's volunteerism in 2005 included designing and building costumes for The Wizard of Oz and Beauty and the Beast, as well as managing the PYT costume bank. Alette serves on the production committee, and has also helped build many complicated costumes and fabric set pieces for PYT productions.

In 2005 Chris continued to voluntarily direct and coordinate the Pizazz! and Dickens touring groups. These groups provide valuable community outreach, bringing the show to those who otherwise might not be able to attend. Chris also served as our volunteer Education Coordinator, and organized the music for our "Hollywood Hosts" special event.

In addition to serving on PYT's board of directors, Victoria (pictured, with husband Tom) is PYT's volunteer marketing director. In addition to chairing the publicty committee, she writes all PYT press releases, many articles for our electronic newsletter and reviews all print materials for accuracy.

PYT could not function without all of the wonderful volunteers who work on our productions, publicity, classes and fundraising.

Do you know an unsung PYT volunteer? Nominate them for PYT's "Volunteer of the Year" award! The winner will be honored at the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce Celebration of Leaders awards in November.

Summer wouldn't be complete without a visit to "Theatre in the Park" -- PYT's free summer performances. This year performances will also take place at Wildwood Park in Saratoga!