Beauty And The Beast

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All the ‘Difference’ A forerunner of the computer comes to Silicon Valley By HEATHER ZIMMERMAN machine that automatically calculates numbers doesn’t seem very impressive nowadays.But it would have amazed folks in 19th-century London, where mathematician and engineer Charles Babbage designed just such an extraordinary mechanical calculator. Babbage’s Difference Engine No.2 goes on display May 10 at the Computer History Museum,1401 N.Shoreline Blvd,MountainView. The Difference Engine is considered a precursor to the modern computer. The machine, designed in the 1840s, was never built during Babbage’s lifetime. In fact, it wasn’t until 1991 that Doron Swade, curator at the Science Museum of London, constructed the first Difference Engine. Nathan Myhrvold, former chief technology officer for Microsoft, commissioned a second Difference Engine, which is the one displayed at the Computer History Museum. The Difference Engine weighs five tons and is constructed of 8,000 parts of bronze,cast iron and steel—made to 19th-century specifications. Opening day on May 10, noon-5 p.m., features a Victorianthemed event with demonstrations of the engine, a lecture by Swade, film screenings, plus popcorn and snowcones. Admission is free. For more information, call 650.810.1010 or visit www.computerhistory.org.

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Photograph by Marcin Wichary

Babbage’s Difference Engine No. 2 can be seen at the Computer History Museum beginning May 10.

Looks can be deceiving in AMTSJ’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ By NICOLE LIEURANCE When it comes to the stage, leading man Brad Little is not afraid to get a little ugly for his art. After more than 2,000 performances as the tragic disfigured title role in Broadway's Phantom of the Opera, he now dons fur and claws for American Musical Theatre San Jose’s production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. The performance runs May 1325 at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Blvd., San Jose. A tale of false appearances and

unlikely love, Beauty and the Beast is an 18th-century French fairy tale that has been adapted for the stage and film, including the popular 1991 Disney animated movie, upon which this production is based. In the AMTSJ production, directed by Glenn Casale,Little will obscure his natural good looks to become the Beast, a tormented soul cursed to spend his life as a hideous creature until he finds true love. Having done many shows with Little, Casale speaks highly of the actor’s talent. “He’s an amazing actor, and you can’t beat his

voice,”he says.The score of Beauty and the Beast, with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, includes many of the Disney movie favorites,including Academy Award-winning Best Song “Beauty and the Beast,” plus other songs not heard in the film. Casale, who directed the 1999 Emmy Award-winning Peter Pan starring Cathy Rigby,says his production also draws from the book by Mme. Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont, in which the story of Beauty and the Beast is fleshed out and given greater depth.

Nikki Renée Daniels plays Belle, an intelligent beauty who becomes the Beast’s prisoner after her father, Maurice (Stephen Pawley) steals one of his prized roses.“Belle is feisty, modern and a strong woman,” Casale says. The cast also includes Gaston (Edward Staudenmayer), Belle’s narcissistic admirer,and the Beast’s servants, who have been transformed by the curse into household items. Of these are the lovable teacup,Chip,(Will Haubl and Tony Sinclair),teapot Mrs.Potts (Jeanne Lehman), candlestick Lumiere (Ron Wisniski) and clock

Cogsworth (Michael Ray Wisely). This stage adaptation was Walt Disney Theatricals’ first show on Broadway, where it ran for more than 13 years. Casale hopes the show will inspire children to read stories such as Beauty and the Beast, and also teach children and adults alike not to judge on appearances. “Look at people for what they are on the inside,” Casale says.“That’s where you’ll see the real beauty.” Tickets are $14.75-$74.For more information, call 888.455.SHOW or visit www.amtsj.org. May 7, 2008 | Steppin’ Out | 21