By CATHERINE ELLERTON
Moapa Valley Progress
“Where is she?” “I know she is around here somewhere!”
The ‘cattle call’ had gone out and the Mack Lyon Middle School was filled with over 100 wanna-be actors who hoped to land a coveted roll in the Missoula Children Theatre’s current touring production of “Peter and Wendy.”
Allie Marshall and Hannah Kulus were the current directors of this production. Both ladies are from Minnesota but didn’t meet each other until they had auditioned for their positions. Allie attended Viterbo University in LaCrosse, WI and received degrees in Musical Theatre, Education and Dance. Hannah graduated from Concordia College in Morehead, MN. with degrees in Theatre and Philosophy. They auditioned for Missoula and have spent the last year touring the southwest bringing the positive message that these productions are meant to do.
They rolled into town in their ‘little red wagon’ and held auditions on Monday, March 5. The group of enthusiasts from ages 5 to 17 was told to speak in loud and clear voices, be big and expressive, listen and follow directions and, above all, NO ‘Elephant Toes!’
Sixty students were chosen for major character roles including Peter Pan (Anna Bush), Wendy Darling (Victoria Pray), her brothers John and Michael (Cody Carter and Alex Leavitt), Tinker Bell (Alivia Smith), Hook (Jameson Cook), the famous Crocodile (Iain McMurray), the Lost Boys, Neverlanders, Neverland Creatures, Pirates, Clouds and more. All of these young actors joined with the four Assistant Directors and accompanist, Tyler Holmes, for five evening rehearsals. This wild schedule ended in two successful performances on Saturday.
For something more to do, the two Directors conducted theatre workshops at Moapa Valley High School during the week. These workshops dealt with Theatre make-up and Behind the Scenes chores. The high school thespians were led through exercises that built concentration, memorization, observation (mime) and imagination. It turned out to be an energetic, fun and inspiring workshop.
The Directors, with their assistants, also built the sets, made sure the costumes were satisfactory, worked on make-up palettes and prepared all for their theatre experience.
And what an experience that was! These tales are rewritten by Michael McGill of the Missoula Production Staff who also writes the music and lyrics.
The story is the same with just a few changes. There is the fickle shadow of Peter Pan who sticks with Hook’s right-hand man, Smee. Then there are the clouds that are ever present and rain on many occasions. The crocodile is a friendly beast and Hook is not eaten. But mayhem still persists as Mr. and Mrs. Darling travel the world (through the audience) looking for their children who have flown off with Peter Pan and Tinker Bell. They journey from Hawaii to the North Pole and finally to Overton where their journey ends and all are reunited.
This clever rewrite is augmented by many imaginative musical interludes. Among them are: “Wonderful Cloudy Day,” “I Am Peter Pan,” “Oh Darling Dear,” “Lost Boys In Neverland,” “Croc Around The Clock,” and “When Life Gets Tough, Keep Your Head In The Clouds.”
Each song added to the story and developing a certain character. They finally all come together, forget their differences, forgive past indiscretions and become one happy family with Mr. and Mrs. Darling.
Then Allie and Hannah striked the set, packed and loaded up the ‘little red wagon’ and headed out for their next production in Lone Pine, California.
When their contract expires in May, Hannah begins a new career as a married lady and Allie heads to Disney World to hopefully become a Disney Princess.
These performances are sponsored in part by MVPAC, Individual Partners for the Arts which include Nevada Arts Council, America First Credit Union, Grant and Laurel Bushman, Moapa Valley Telephone Company, Dr. Lance K. Robertson, Moapa Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Board of County Commissioners. The final performance of the MVPAC 2017 – 2018 Season is the Zephyr Singers Spring Concert to be held April 21st.
