‘Treasure Island’ lures youngsters

Molly Shore

HILLSIDE DISTRICT -- When the Missoula Children’s Theatre touring

group presents its free production of “Treasure Island” this evening at

the Starlight Bowl, it will do so with a cast of 55 local children,

ranging from 5 to 13.

After auditioning for their parts, the youngsters -- some who never

had any previous theatrical experience -- had only five days to prepare

for their debut, said Michelle Marsh, one of the two tour actor/directors

on this production.

“The kids that we’re working with are very good,” said Marsh.

“It’s just a great opportunity for the kids, especially for those who

are doing it for the first time” said Gayle Stewart, recreation program

coordinator with the city’s Park, Recreation and Community Services

Department.

Missoula Children’s Theatre, the nation’s largest touring children’s

theater troupe, has been on the road for 28 years, traveling from Montana

to Japan, visiting over 800 communities year-round.

Marsh and fellow tour actor/director Leo Rodriguez make up one of the

24 MCT teams, driving from one community to the next in a Ford Ranger,

which holds all costumes, props, makeup and everything needed for their

production.

“We bring it all with us,” Marsh said.

Stewart, who has been to all the prior Burbank productions, calls the

experience a “Kodak moment.”

The Starlight Bowl, at 1249 Lockheed View Drive, opens its doors at 6

p.m. The performance begins at 7.