Continued research by UC Irvine neurobiologist Dr....

Continued research by UC Irvine neurobiologist Dr. Gordon Shaw on his hypothesis that children given piano keyboard training will do better at difficult math than children given computer training was one of nine projects nationwide to receive funding from the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences in its 1996-97 grants, the academy announced Monday. Other projects funded by NARAS include a two-hour National Public Radio documentary about John Coltrane, a Michigan State University study measuring the effects of music therapy on senior citizens and an “Index to CD and Record Reviews” being compiled by the University of Cincinnati.

The “Show Boat” cast that will perform at Orange County Performing Arts Center Aug. 26-Sept. 21 will be very different from the one that played recently at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles. The Costa Mesa cast will include Tom Bosley as Cap’n Andy and Karen Morrow as Parthy. Gretha Boston, who won a Tony as Queenie on Broadway but did not appear in L.A., will return to the role in Costa Mesa. Others are Sarah Pfisterer as Magnolia, John Ruess as Ravenal, Debbie deCoudreaux as Julie, Andre Solomon-Glover as Joe, Greg Zerkle as Steve, and husband and wife Kirby and Beverly Ward as Frank and Ellie.

Compiled by Ken Williams