Short Takes
by Darlene G. Davies

Old Town Theatre Says I Love You
I Love You, You’re perfect, Now Change has settled in The Theatre in Old Town for what is hoped will be a long run. It has tough acts to follow, though. Forever Plaid filled the same venue for more than four years. Remember the wildly popular production of that musical at the Old Globe years ago? It, too, made a lot of money. Then, Beehive was performed at the Old Town theatre for almost two years. A 1960s retro musical, Beehive appealed to tourists and locals who relived the times and culture of the ’60s through music and stories. I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change has played locally in other theatres, including the San Diego Repertory Theatre. While enjoyed by audiences, the show didn’t seem likely to run for years anywhere. But this is a different production in Old Town, and tourists looking for light and amusing entertainment may very well find I Love You to be just what they want. We hope so. Call 619/688-2494.

Calling All Cottontails
A series of delightful afternoon socials, Easter Bunny Teas at The Westgate Hotel from April 3 to 10, offer finger sandwiches, fresh fruit with Devonshire cream, scones, Easter sugar cookies, and choice of tea, milk, or hot cocoa. Children, and those who are children in their hearts, will also enjoy springtime storytelling by Melody, a visit from the Easter Bunny, and an Easter egg hunt. Call 619/557-3650.

Saint Peter And The Vatican’s Only West Coast Stop Is San Diego
San Diego Museum of Art (SDMA) will be the only West Coast venue for the exhibition Saint Peter and the Vatican. This show will highlight the largest collection of objects from the Vatican ever to travel to North America. The stop at SDMA concludes a four city U.S. tour. Viewers will see drawings by Michelangelo, Bernini’s terracotta sculpture Charity with Four Putti, and a reproduction of the Tomb of St. Peter and a gold votive plaque found in the area of the tomb, only a few of more than 300 objects displayed. Not to be missed, this very important exhibition will grace SDMA from May 15 to September 6. Call 619/232-7931, or visit www.sdmart.org.

Second Annual Craig Noel Awards For Excellence
Applause to the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle for its second annual awards ceremony, held at the San Diego Natural History Museum. Officially known as the Craig Noel Awards for Excellence in Theatre, the recent 2003 event was a real insider’s kind of gathering, where all kinds of people associated with show biz in San Diego showed up to pay tribute to the best. The yearly ceremony is a labor of love for critics and friends, and it is greatly appreciated.

Little Italy Attracts Big Names In Art
Gallery Saccade, which opened last September in the historic art deco Stamp Building in downtown’s Little Italy, is quickly becoming the en vougue location for regional artists. Running through April 10, the figurative abstract paintings of Bay Area artist, Marques Vickers will be on display. Entitled Arte Jondo: Rhythm in Color, the exhibit features Vickers’ embrace of Flamenco dancing on canvas — art within art if you will. Gallery Saccade offers exceptional contemporary paintings, sculpture, and photography by both local and international artists featuring figurative, abstract, and urban landscape/interior works. Call 619/546-9169 to find out about coming artists.

Take Me Out To The Baseball Movie Marathon
A Baseball Movie Marathon has been scheduled in the Joan and Irwin Jacobs Theatre at the Museum of Photographic Arts (MoPA). Five films will be screened on Saturday, March 20. The first movie, Little Big League, begins at 3pm, followed by Field of Dreams at 5:10, For the Love of the Game at 7:30, Bull Durham at 9:45, and Major League at 11:40. MoPA is planning to throw in plenty of classic baseball related shorts and cartoons that are sure to please everyone. See one film, or stay the entire evening. Call 619/238-7559.