"Consider yourself" part of the PYT family and join us at our upcoming production of Oliver!, playing Nov. 10 - 18 at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts.

Adapted from Charles Dickens by Lionel Bart, Oliver! tells of an orphan who runs away to the bleak streets of Victorian London, where he's taught to pick a pocket or two before he finds the love he seeks. The original Broadway production won three Tonys (including best composer-lyricist) and six Oscars (including best picture), and has become a glorious staple of musical theater.

PYT has partnered with Target to offer $10 tickets for a special family performance of Oliver! Nov. 10 at 2pm.

PYT is proud to celebrate the holidays with the world premiere of Turk and Runt: A Thanksgiving Comedy, playing Nov. 16 - 17 at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts.

Turk is the biggest, best turkey on the farm. So to him, it's only natural that everyone wants to get him on their "team" by selecting him - it's wily little brother Runt who realizes that their visitors only want Turk to star in their Thanksgiving dinner.

Adapted from Lisa Wheeler's book by PYT artistic director Dexter Fidler, Turk & Runt is a delightful look at Thanksgiving from a turkey's point of view.

Have you outgrown your old costume? Donate it to PYT! PYT is currently seeking costumes from past productions to add to its costume bank.

Costumes from Peter Pan, Pirates of Penzance, Grease and West Side Story are all in high demand.

Old costumes may be dropped off at the PYT offices during normal business hours, 2pm - 6pm Monday through Friday.

In recognition of her many years of outstanding contributions, Alette Mahler was named PYT's volunteer of the year at our third annual Hollywood Hosts event on Sept. 16.

Over the years Alette has single-handedly organized PYT's costume bank, whichis stored at TheatreWorks' site. Our costume bank has continued to grow, and Alette has been responsible for keeping track of the inventory. She is usually at TheatreWorks at least three times a week, checking out costumes that we need for PYT's current show, meeting costume designers from PYT or other local theater companies to show them the stock and handle rentals with them, to add newly donated items to the stock, or to return items that have been checked out.

In addition to her almost full-time job at PYT's costume bank, Alette has helped organize PYT's costume shop, has been a volunteer costume designer, sews specific costumes for most of the shows and serves on PYT's production committee. In this capacity, she oversees the general costume subcommittee. She has helped train new costume designers at PYT so they are knowledgeable about PYT's system, costume policies and costume stock. She has written documents pertaining to costumes that are distributed at the parent meetings.

Currently, Alette is the only volunteer who is willing to tackle sewing the hems and seams for the huge amount of fabric required for set dressings. You have seen her handiwork when you looked at the drapes in such shows as Beauty and the Beast, Aida and Cinderella, or when you saw the bedspread for the very tall bed in Once Upon a Mattress. For these huge jobs, Alette also has to spray flame retardant all over the fabric in order to meet the fire safety codes at the theater. This job has never fazed Alette. She takes the fabric home, spreads it all over her driveway and gets the task done. In fact, there aren't many jobs involving material that Alette refuses to do. She has even become an expert with foam.

Alette is the epitome of a super volunteer. She is extremely dedicated, motivated, organized and dependable. She is also a patient and knowledgeable mentor when she works with the costume designers and costume committee members at PYT. Her set of skills has been so beneficial for this organization. Alette has given so much of herself to this company and we are deeply honored to have given her this award.

PYT's Web Site has recently had a complete face-lift! Featuring more photos of the shows you loved and an easier menu system, it's a big improvement. Deep thanks to Dave Murphy for the countless hours volunteered to make our new Web Site a reality!

The PYT board of directors elected a new roster of offers at the September annual meeting:

President: Linda Thompson (pictured)
Vice President: Mike Cobb
Secretary: Carol Doup Muller
Treasurer: Isabel Schreier
Immediate Past President: Cathy Ringstaff

Members of the board are: Sally Abel, Heidi Bliss, Dana Bolognini, JoAnn Buchanan, Brian Burns, Ivalee Cohen, Deborah Kranz, Susie Lew, Judy Meyer, Jodi Murphy and Victoria Villeneuve.

PYT is always seeking new people to join the board and its committees. For more information, talk to any member of the board or email executive director Karen Simpson at ksimpson@pytnet.org.