Fundraiser could save MPC drama class.

Photo: Many of the Hand In Glove Players have Down syndrome, but that isn''t what audiences notice.

The lights go down. Monterey Peninsula College students, dressed in all black except for their white gloves and colorful masks, fill the stage. They use mime, Chinese Theater and modern interpretative theater to act out skits and witty spoofs, like The Lyin'' King, Frog Phantom of the Opera, Rats, the Sequel to Cats (in which the old Broadway cat is dead and gone), Harriet Potter and Lord of the Things. They''re accompanied by a pianist and a narrator.

After the performance, the lights come on and the masks come off. Only then do the audience members realize that some of the Hand In Glove Players (that''s the troupe''s name) have Down syndrome.

"I even hate telling you that my kids have disabilities," says drama teacher Regina Duggan Mortiz, who wrote and directed the performance. "And I really hope you won''t focus on that. They are actors above all else."

Mortiz teaches the drama class at MPC, and it''s open to everyone. The college pays her salary, but the rest of the expenses--the set, costumes, masks, publicity, pianists and narrators--come out of Mortiz''s pocket. It''s not cheap. Mortiz says last year''s performance ran about $5,000.

"If I can''t raise the money, there will be no more class," she says.

On Nov. 14, there will be a benefit for the Hand In Glove Players, including a preview showing of a documentary film about the troupe, filed by PG filmmaker Bob Pacelli, that follows the troupe from the first days of rehearsal through the performance of their latest production, "Moments On Broadway & Madness With Chairs." A wine and cheese reception will follow the preview.

I caught a preview of the preview a week prior to the benefit. While rehearsing The Lyin'' King, the performers beat drums and acted out the various jungle animal roles. The actors are talented and funny; they make political jokes about the Bush Administration, Gov. Gray Davis and MPC''s funding cuts.

"We take a lot of swipes at the college," Mortiz says. "We''re probably the only ones who can get away with that."

And they''re good actors. "If you set your expectations high, your students will reach for it," Mortiz says. "And the thing about masks: We all wear masks. But just imagine what it would be like...we''re just run-of-the-mill people. We can sit here in relative anonymity, but people with disabilities don''t have that privilege. The masks give them that moment of anonymity."

Friday at 6:30pm, MPC Music Hall (MU 101), 980 Fremont St., Monterey.