Young Jim Hawkins will set sail with Long John Silver and his pirate band this weekend, but Missoula Children's Theatre's presentation of Treasure Island may not be quite what author Robert Louis Stevenson originally intended.
Auditions were held Monday at Sunset Elementary School and rehearsals are being held throughout the week in preparation for two performances of the classic seafaring tale Saturday at Pioneer Theatre in Port McNeill.
The theatre company will give a matinee showing at 3 p.m. and an evening performance at 7 Saturday.
Missoula Children's Theatre is a Montana-based organization that sends touring teams to communities throughout North America. Equipped with props, sets and a full range of costumes, its actor/instructors provide school-age youngsters a crash course in acting, directing and stage management. The entire process, from audition to performance, takes place in six days.
Missoula Children's Theatre also puts its own spin on classic children's tales, typically adding whimsy, musical numbers and new characters suitable for the youngest students to play.
Saturday's showing of Treasure Island, for example, will feature not only Hawkins and Silver's pirate band, but Jim's six sisters, ruffian friends, native villagers and "cuddly gulls".
More than 50 students are expected to take part in this weekend's shows.
The Missoula Children's Theatre residency in Port McNeill is presented by Port McNeill Family Centre with support from Andrew Mahon Foundation and local businesses and organizations. For more information, call Kathy Martin at 250-956-3456.