The Montana Children's Theater wrapped up its week of work in Big Sandy with two showings of "Johnny Appleseed" (the musical retelling of the legend of Johnny Appleseed) and marks the first time since before the Pandemic shut down the country. The community is very pleased to have the organization back in Big Sandy after such a long furlough.
The show, as is typical of past Missoula Children's Theater productions, was spectacular with professional direction and high production values. Amanda Hoffman, who helps run the Big Sandy Theater Group, exclaimed her feelings on the shows: "It was fantastic. I am so proud of our kids and what they've done this week. It is remarkable, and I am so proud of them." Regarding the rigor of casting and rehearsing a stage production in the span of one week, Amanda remarked: It was hard work, but Diana is amazing and worked with all of the teachers, the school, everything. It was just, I don't know... My mind is mind blown. I'm speechless...the support from the teachers and the community has been fantastic."
Elise Hartley, who played the older Johnny Appleseed, shared her favorite parts of the production "I think my favorite was getting to learn the dances, trying to learn the lines and then filling into the spaces where people who didn't know their lines." She also explained that she enjoyed the various workshops and trainings the Missoula Actor's Theater provided, teaching improv and other basic acting skills. "You learn to speak with your body a little bit more instead. Even though you don't have a line, you can make a statement just by what you're doing and how you're moving."
Michelle Danreuther, who played piano for the musical, commented on working with the theater group: "It was so fun. They're easy to work with. They're so organized. This was great. Very professional." Regarding working with the kids, she explained, "I loved it. They were so fun. You get to see the personalities, because I got to work with them at rehearsals."
The two staffers from Missoula Children's Theater who worked with the kids to put on the show expressed their appreciation for the hospitality of the community in housing and feeding them. Big Sandy was the last stop in their 19-week season of putting on shows with one week of preparation time. Both expressed that in the beginning the task was daunting, despite the training. However, once they had done the work putting on the show a few times, they came to understand the process and get used to the work. Though it was always hard work, it was less difficult to manage as the weeks passed. Emily, one of the directors, explained the value of the work they do: "I think it's very valuable for the community. It's valuable for the kids, they learn a ton. They grow a lot of confidence. It's valuable for Marshall, my tour partner and I, because we have grown a ton doing the traveling and meeting all of these communities that we've worked in. I just think it's all around a very valuable program."
Attendance for the shows was good, especially considering the timing of the play, which was during graduation weekend. The Saturday show drew the larger audience, which is not uncommon.
This year's production attracted a lot of new faces that have not played a part in previous shows. Amanda pointed out that, though she hadn't been able to engage with the students about the experience, she had seen plenty of new faces among the parents and hopes that it will spark more interest in the students to participate in future shows put on by the local theater group. With no Spring show this year, it was
important to engage students who already have some interest in the theater. "That was our goal was to keep the spark, keep the interest in just getting these kids more stage time."
Dianna Keane, who works with Amanda co-managing the local theater, commented that the production was particularly valuable to the community theater because of the improv and acting classes that were provided: "They trained all of our first through sixth graders in improv and drama basics. And we had about 20 kids in the high school that took part in that, so I'm hoping it'll make an impact in future shows."
Amanda pointed out that the Missoula Children's Theater has historically been to Big Sandy only every other year due to the expenses associated with bringing in the group. They are looking forward to a future production with them.
