(Posted 6:30
p.m., Feb. 8)
Missoula
Children's production thoroughly entertaining
By Fred Sherwin
Orléans Online
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 Brittany
Dale was sensational in the lead role of the Missoula Children`s Theatre production
of `Sleeping Beauty`at École secondaire catholique Béatrice-Desloges
on Saturday. Fred Sherwin/Photo
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Take an
original script with lots of musical numbers, 60 eager energetic actors between
the ages of five and 17 and two dedicated touring actor/directors and what do
you get? A fun, thoroughly entertaining production that leaves you grinning from
ear to ear.
The
Missoula Children's Theatre production of "Sleeping Beauty" wrapped
up five-days of rehearsals on Saturday with two shows in the auditorium at �cole
secondaire catholique B�atrice-Desloges.
The
aim of the Missoula Chlidren's Theatre company is to bring the theatre experience
to as many young people as possible. Ninety-three kids turned out for the auditions
last Monday. Of that number, 60 were chosen in different age groups. The younger
kids were cast for the chorus and the older kids were given the principle roles.
The
play itself was only loosely based on the fairy tale by the same name. In the
Missoula Children's Theatre adaptation, invitations are sent out to everyone in
the kingdom to announce the birth of the new princess. The job is given to the
court jester who recruits a group of lazy and not-so-bright trolls to help make
the task easier.
The
trolls deliver the invitations to everyone in the kingdom except Scarella who,
upset by the slight, decides to cast a spell on Sleeping Beauty so that when she
turns 16 she will prick her finger on a spindle and fall asleep for 500 years.
The
King and Queen try to protect Sleeping Beauty by keeping her to the castle, but
when she turns 16 she tricks the jester, who is played by one of the touring actor/directors,
and escapes to the countryside where she runs into Scarella and is pricked during
a fight over a spindle.
Sleeping
Beauty immediately falls into a deep slumber as does the rest of the kingdom who
have been put under a spell by a group of fairies.
After
500 years have past, Sleeping Beauty is awoken, not by a prince, but by a king,
the King of Rock and Roll. That's right, in a plot twist that characterizes every
Missoula Children's Theatre production, Sleeping Beauty is awoken by the King
of Rock and Roll himself, Elvis Presley, who blows her a kiss rather than planting
one on her lips.
When
the rest of the kingdom wakes up, they discover that the castle has been turned
into a restaurant and Scarella is the owner. The play was brought to a close by
an ensemble production involving the entire cast.
Besides
being known for their unusual plot twists, Missoula Children's Theatre productions
are also known for their underlying message. In the case of Sleeping Beauty it
was that children should always listen to their parents.
The
play itself was thoroughly entertaining due in large part to the performances
of the principal cast members. Alicia Barban and Amy Lowson were fabulous as Scarella
and Sleeping Beauty as a young girl, but Brittany Dale impressed me the most as
Sleeping Beauty as a young women. She has an incredible voice and an amazing stage
presence.
The
rest of the prncipal cast included Mathew Schlachter who played the King; Saxon
Koyman who played the Queen; Kristen Leboef was the Town Crier; Soloman Davidson
played her dog Spot; and Madeleine Dionne was the Lady in Waiting.
The
amazing thing about Missoula Children's Theatre productions is that they are able
to incorporate so many actors and make them all feel part of the play. There's
even an opportunity for those who don't earn a part to help out backstage as assistant
directors. Sleeping Beauty was no different.
The
trolls were played by Alexa Abou-Assali, Samantha Chan, Sara Mosher, Damian Plummer,
Anne S�guin and Monique Staples. The court musicians included B�atrice Bouthilier,
Holly Butcher, Ben Julien, and Julia Miller. The cooks were played by Gabriela
Calugay-Casuga, Jillian Kimbell, Sheila Lelei Audrey Panainte and Charlotte Timm,
and the servants were played by Grace Butcher, Isabelle Gahimbare, Christena Lawrie
and Trista Willbond.
The
fairies were played by Brianna Bailey, Rosie Chan, Sabrina Chan, Christina Dale,
Kayla Farris, Christina Goddard, Victoria Goddard, Maeve Hoban, Logan Montana
Latmore, Emily Millan, Natalie Millan and Genessa Panainte.
The
palace guards were played by Samuel Donaldson, Kristin McDonald, Laurent Molino,
Molly Saint-Yves and Shaahen Willbond and the little caterpillars were played
by Madison Bellini, Brianna Victoria Christian, Simone Davidson, Jamie Elliott,
Abigail Guertin, Rebecca Kimbell, Brooke Lemire, Tara Lemire, Benjamin Millan,
Maiya Saunders and Malin Mardi Storass.
Four
other young people helped out as assitant directors. They were Emily Mailloux,
Alejandro Neilon-Ortega, Sandrine Murray and Emilie Murray.
Special
mention should also be given to Nicholas Butt who stepped up to the plate and
took over as the local producer with help from his parents Keith Butt and Heather
Dunbar. His younger brother also lent a hand as the musical acoompaniest on piano
and parent Kim Kimbell chipped in during the rehearsals as well.
Nicholas
has been involved in the MCT Orléans productions for the last 10 years,
first as a cast member and then as an assistant producer and musical accompaniest.
He stepped in to produce this year's production when no one else would or could.
For more information
about Missoula Children's Theatre visit www.mctinc.org.,
or contact Nicolas Butt or Heather Dunbar at MCT
Orleans.
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Elvis
Presley, played by Missoula Children`s Theatre touring actor/director Jeremiah
Erikson, wakes up Sleeping Beauty by blowing her a kiss. Fred Sherwin/Photo
(This
story was made possible thanks to the generous support of
our local business partners.)
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THE OTTAWA SCHOOL OF THEATRE presents an all ages production of Treasure Island in the Richcraft Theatre at the Shenkman Arts Centre. Showtimes Thursday, April 18 and Friday, April 19 at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, April 20 and Sunday, April 21 at 1:30 p.m. Tickets $20 for adults. Students and youth 25 and under $10. To purchase visit 
TAPROOM 260 presents Michael Ben-Shalom live from 8-11 p.m. at 260 Centrum Blvd. For more information visit 
TAPROOM 260 presents The Underground live from 8-11 p.m. at 260 Centrum Blvd. For more information visit 
CLASSIC PIANO RECITAL – Orléans pianist Emily Hou will be performing works by Chopin, Mozart, Rachmaninov and Liszt at Kanata United Church as part os the Beaverbrook Community Concert Series. The recital will start promptly at 3 p.m. Kanata United Church is located at 33 Leacock Dr. in Kanata. For more information visit 
THE ORLÉANS BREWING CO. Trivia Night from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Call (613) 834-9005 to reserve your spot. The Orléans Brewing Co. is located at 4380 Innes Rd. near the Innes Road McDonalds.
