Kitty Hawk, a new musical about the men and women behind the first flying machine, is in a world premiere run at the Court Theatre through Dec. 17. With music and lyrics by Sukey Smith, book by Herman Raucher and Smith, the show is directed by Jules Aaron with choreography by Lee Martino and musical direction by Gregory Dixon.

Kirsten Benton, James Matthew Campbell and Reed Armstrong head a cast of 15. Raucher and Smith's story investigates the dreams and fantasies that inspired Wilbur and Orville Wright to build the Kitty Hawk and launch it on a North Carolina beach. The centennial of flight (December 17, 2003) is currently in the planning stage across the nation to celebrate the amazing invention that changed our lives—the airplane.

Raucher, who was nominated for an Oscar for his screenplay "The Summer of '42," has turned that story into another musical which is currently in production at Goodspeed Opera House.

KItty Hawk has costumes by Shon Le Blanc, sets by Don Gruber and choreography by Lee Martino.

Court Theatre is located at 722 N. La Cienaga Blvd. For tickets and information call (323) 655-8587. -- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent