Students invited to perform at Leonis Adobe event

Second- through eighth-graders are invited to appear in the Leonis Adobe Museum Performing Arts musical production, "Down on the Rancho."

Participants will learn acting, singing and dancing and perform the musical for the public in the museum’s historic setting in Old Town Calabasas.

The musical is based on growing up on a ranch in the 1880s with boys’ and girls’ interests outside traditional expectations.

"‘Down on the Rancho’ is designed to teach kids history, performing and language arts," said Melanie Slivka, who is directing the production.

She directed children’s musical theater in Marin County and the Bay area for seven years and worked with the museum to create a musical based on local rancho history.

"‘Down on the Rancho’ mixes a little bit of history and a little bit of culture with a whole lot of fun," Slivka said.

Fee for the performance art program is $65 per child for museum members and $75 per child for nonmembers. Sign-ups are being accepted until Tues., Feb. 15.

Those interested in participating should call the Leonis Adobe Museum at (818) 222-6511 for a registration form.

For more information on the production, call Slivka at (818) 800-8850.

The Leonis Adobe Museum is an authentic and living Monterey-style rancho including live animals and artifacts portraying life in the 19th century. The museum is at 23537 Calabasas Road.