Fox Valley Philharmonic, Naperville Players to perform

The Fox Valley Philharmonic Orchestra will join with the Community Players of Naperville to present a collaborative concert for kids based on a sequel to Prokofiev's classic tale of "Peter and the Wolf."

The free, family-friendly show is slated for 3:30 p.m. Sunday, June 10, at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 420 West Downer Place, Aurora.

The concert is based on Justin Locke's courtroom drama for kids, "Peter versus the Wolf."

The collaborative orchestral/theatrical production presents the entire Philharmonic Orchestra on stage performing Prokofiev's original music while actors from the Community Players of Naperville portray the characters of a judge, district attorney, Peter and, of course, the wolf, who finds himself on trial for "Duckicide." The kids in the audience get to be the jury that weighs in to determine the wolf's guilt.

In the intermission following the performance, kids get to try their hand playing various orchestral instruments in the Philharmonic's "Instrumental Petting Zoo." After the intermission, those who have signed up will have an opportunity to take turns being the "maestro" for the moment in "Kid's Get to Conduct the Philharmonic."

While intended to be entertaining, it's also educational without youngsters realizing they're having a learning experience.

In Prokofiev's original "Peter and the Wolf," a brave Russian boy - despite his grandfather's warnings - saves two of his animal friends (a little bird and a cat) from the wolf that swallowed his other friend (a gentle duck), captures the wolf and carts him off to a zoo.

In Locke's sequel, the wolf is captured after escaping from the zoo and finds himself on trial for eating the duck.

The story takes place in a courtroom trial setting, with the district attorney using the orchestra to play Prokofiev's music to accompany her reading of an affidavit, that consists of Prokofiev's narration, in an attempt to prove the wolf's guilt.

Comedic action and amusing dialogue follows when various sections and members of the orchestra are called to the witness stand to be cross-examined by the wolf as he tries to defend himself.