SOINTULA—Following a rousing debut with its first appearance last year, Missoula Children's Theatre returns to A.J. Elliott School next week for another performance by local student actors.
Auditions begin at the school Monday, Jan. 19, and rehearsals will continue throughout the week, which culminates with a public performances Friday, Jan. 23 and Saturday, Jan. 24.
This year's production is Rapunzel, in the typical Missoula Children's Theatre original fashion — with ogres, pixies, Billy Goats Gruff, three bears (or perhaps four) and even unicorns.
The theatre is a group of touring professionals, based in Missoula, Montana, who travel with complete sets and costumes, visiting schools throughout North America. Students audition for roles in original musical adaptations of familiar childrens' tales and in one week are trained for a stage performance of the show.
Last year, students at A.J. Elliott performed Blackbeard the Pirate in the first Sointula visit by Missoula Children's Theatre, which previously had put on shows in Port McNeill, Port Hardy and Port Alice.
This year's performances are scheduled for Friday evening and a matinee Saturday afternoon, in the A.J. Elliott School gymnasium.