Theatrical Production Stars Local Kids

On Saturday, March 28, the Valley was the recipient of several changes: (1) The Missoula Children’s Theatre’s production of Red Riding Hood was held at the Old Logandale School; (2) The sponsor of this entertaining show was The Moapa Valley Performing Arts Council whose new Executive Director is Ellen Potter and the new President is Gary Batchelor; (3) Little Red Riding Hood is now to be known as “Red” – just plain “Red” and (4) The Big Bad Wolf is on a mission to dispel the previous bad press and knows that when the true story is known, he will be forgiven and will be known as The Good Wolf.

The MCT currently has 40 teams, tours to all the states, Canada and 16 countries. The actor/directors are chosen through unified auditions in the New England Theatre Conference or by submitted tape. Samantha Blain (The Big Bad Wolf) graduated from Emerson College in Boston and Melissa Briner graduated from St. Michaels College in Vermont. Helping them to accomplish the production are two local students, Hannah Sheldon and Danella Wahl. Shelby Bennett, once again, was the talented accompanist.

The Directors Melissa and Samantha were both delighted and satisfied with the production. They said that “the dress rehearsal fell apart (as is natural and traditional) but that the performance ended up to be one of the best shows they have done so far this year.”

The story is that Little Red Riding Hood (Stephanie Lyon). Now grown up and to be known as Red, she is going to Grandma’s House with a basket of food which is continually stolen by the various characters she encounters along the way.

The Big Bad Wolf goes along hoping to dispel all the bad press and to convince all that it was the Wolfgang that caused the problems (Tori Burt, Courtney Zerkle, Lyndi Whiting, Courtney Holloway, Jacob Boren, Cecilia Wahl, Macy Morgan, Shelbi Walker, Nikki Neil and Michelle Whiting). This gang follows Red everywhere, howling in rapid succession and causing problems. The Little Loveable Wolf (Hyrum McMurray) tags along – hoping for a word here or there.

The scary part of going through the woods is the many shadows (Shannon Gongos, Jordan Burt, Alyssa Talbot, Brynn McMurray, Robyn Foster, Kaleigh Hill, Daniel Chandler, Abby Morgan and Amanda Jacobsmeyer) that lurk everywhere causing the foolhardy (Red’s Girl Friends: Ravyn Davidson, Natalie Rust and Autumn Boren) to have an unfortunate encounter with poison weeds.

Red’s family (Jennifer Jacobsmeyer, Skylar Hill, Kierra Zerkle and Holly Rust) continually shows up along the trail keeping an eye on Red and her adventures acting like only brothers and sisters can act.

Joining the Hood family is Robin – yes – Hood (Shannon Wallace). Adding “Ah!” moments are the cute raccoons that tag along, wagging their tails (Christopher Whiting, Ally Bolton, Gabriel Leavitt, Daxton Foster, Emilie Lyon, Brody Morgan, Luke Wolff, Myriam Leavitt, Francesca Wahl, Aubrey Aikele and Ryan McMurray). The three little pigs (Abigail Wallace, Sierra Holloway, and Felicia Perez) join the group in a constant search for the best way to build their house – straw or bricks?

Of course, what would a story be without the love interest? This time in the guise of the tree hating Woodsman (egotistically played by Kaden Kelson). Keeping everyone in line and obeying the rules of the forest is Ranger Rooney (Heather Wallace). The secret to unlocking the ending of the story and rescuing Grandma (Holly Rust) is carried by the Locksmith (Garrett Jacobsmeyer).

What is so amazing about these productions is that in five short days, the auditions are held, rehearsals are scheduled, lines and staging are memorized, music and dances are assimilated, the imaginative and serviceable sets and costumes are set up and passed out and everyone remains sane.

From the very first screams of “WOLF!” as the young actors entered the auditorium led by The Boy Who Cries Wolf (Benjamin Leavitt) to the audience participation in the story line to the ending reprise of “We’re Going To Have A Party Tonight,” this production was an amazing accomplishment that also just happened to be entertaining.

Kudos to the members of the MV Performing Arts Council and all the sponsors for making these productions possible. The final show of the season will be the BYU Idaho Jazz Band/Choir on April 13.