The “Little Red Truck” from Missoula Children’s Theater has happily made its way back into Newman thanks to the West Side Theater and generous donors who make this experience possible. Youths from Kindergarten through 12th grade auditioned on Monday and have been hard at work rehearsing this year’s production of “Sleeping Beauty”.
MCT’s “Sleeping Beauty” is an original adaptation of the classic fairy tale. A new princess is born, and from far and wide the people of the kingdom gather to celebrate. One simple mistake is made-an invitation is misplaced-and the wrath of the vicious Scarella falls upon the poor infant in the form of a spell. Sleeping Beauty is now destined to sleep for eternity if she should prick her finger on a spindle before she reaches her sixteenth birthday. Sleeping Beauty’s Fairy Godmothers do their best to amend the spell, but Scarella, with the help of some nasty Trolls, tricks Sleeping Beauty into pricking her finger and the spell takes effect. Five hundred years pass and Sleeping Beauty wakes to find herself in a Rock ‘n Roll dream! “Sleeping Beauty” is a Rock ‘n Roll Fable for the ages. This is definitely no sleeper!
The Missoula Children's Theatre, the nation’s largest touring children’s theater, has been touring extensively for more than 40 years now from Montana to Japan, and will visit nearly 1,200 communities this year with up to 44 teams of Tour Actor/Directors. A tour team arrives in a given town with a set, lights, costumes, props and make-up, everything it takes to put on a play...except the cast. The team holds an open audition and casts up to 60 local students to perform in the production. The show is rehearsed throughout the week and two public performances are presented on Saturday. Creativity, social skills, goal achievement, communication skills and self-esteem are all characteristics that are attained through participation in this unique, educational project. MCT's mission is the development of life skills in children through participation in the performing arts.
The West Side Theater has been a proud supporter of youths in the arts and offers this program free of charge for the performers. Support from ticket sales and the snack bar help offset the fees associated with bringing MCT’s program to town so it can remain free of charge for our community performers. If you cannot see the show on Saturday, but would still like to support the future of arts programs, contact the West Side Theatre Foundation by calling 209-862-4490 or e-mail info@westsidetheatre.org
There are two performances this Saturday and tickets can be purchased online at westsidetheatre.org or at the door. Shows are at 3:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for students and $15 for adults. The West Side Theater is a cash only facility and the snack bar will be open.
