Song of the Unicorn

There once lived a Man in a castle and a strange man was he. He shunned the Countess’ parties; he yawned at town meetings; he did not go to church on Sundays.

One afternoon the proud Man joined the crowd, leading by a silver chain a captive unicorn . . . .

So begins trouble in the opening madrigal of Gian-Carlo Menotti’s “The Unicorn, the Gorgon and the Manticore,” playing this weekend at the Ventura College Theatre.

The wistful and nonsensical “Unicorn” will be danced by Plexus Dance Theatre, with choreography by Denee Jordan and Pamela Pilkenton, and sung by the Master Singers of the Ventura County Master Chorale, under the direction of Burns Taft. An 11-piece instrumental ensemble will accompany the dancers and singers.

Also on the program is Aaron Copland’s “In the Beginning,” plus a treat for art buffs: Five artists will create 30-second paintbrush interpretations of the music of Erik Satie.

The performances are co-sponsored by Ventura Community College and the Ventura County Master Chorale and Opera Assn. and made possible through a major grant from the Ventura Arts Council.

“Unicorn” will play at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 4 p.m. Sunday at Ventura College Theatre, Loma Vista Avenue, Ventura. Tickets are $15 at the door, single admission; family rate, $10 for an adult accompanied by a child ($2.50 per child); group rate of six or more, $10. Advance purchase is recommended. Tickets are available at the Ventura Bookstore, 522 E. Main St., Ventura; or call the Community Services Phone Charge Line at 654-6459.