Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
ManyPenny (Samantha Helm, Center) is flanked by her Money Council on stage at the GHS Auditorium Saturday morning. Left to right: Jordan Mix, Emmah Mix, James Pearson, Ava Runner, Roman Fast and Toni Williams.
The Emperor (Noah Runner) sits on his throne with his royal scholars (Annika Smith, left and Riley Clampitt, right) at his side.
With expectations premised by just under a week of rehearsals, crowds turned out to view the Missoula Children's Theatre's rendition of "The Emperor's New Clothes," written and conceived by Jim Caron and Matt Loehrke, and what they found was a delightful, funny and well-rendered performance by some talented area youth.
The play told the story of what can happen when we fall victim to the notion that appearances matter more than character and the comical antics that can ensue when the Royal Scholars take on the antagonistic and money-obsessed ManyPenny and her Money Council minions both vying to bed the Emperor's ear and assert their control over his birthday celebration. Finally, the scholars hatch a plan to teach the Emperor a lesson he won't soon forget. That valuable life lesson? The clothes do not make the person.
Punctuated by comedic one-liners, adorable costumes and solid lead performances from Noah Runner as the Emperor, Samantha Helm as the antagonist ManyPenny, Riley Clampitt as Royal Scholar Roxy and Annika Smith's nearly silent portrayal of Royal Scholar Red, it was clear that the performances blew away the expectations of many in attendance.
The Missoula Children's Theatre has been providing acting workshops such as the one held last week and culminating in the two nights of performances on Friday, Jan. 18, and Saturday, Jan. 19, at the Glasgow High School auditorium for 45 years. According to the event's program, Missoula Children's Theatre International Tour has "fostered developmental life skills in more than a million kids. Just this year we will work with 65,000 children in more than 1,200 communities in all 50 states and 17 countries."
As a non-profit organization, the group relies entirely on community support through donations and grants from various organizations such as Art Works, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Montana Arts Council.
For more information or to support the theatre group with a donation visit MCTinc.org, write them at 200 N. Adams, Missoula, MT 59802-4718, call 406-728-1911 or email [email protected].
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