Preparing for a “Herculean” performance

BY BECKY UEHLING

GRANT TRIBUNE 

On Monday, Feb. 2, approximately 25 local children auditioned for the Missoula Children’s Theatre play Hercules. Above, Missoula Director Kay Kimble leads some of the children who auditioned for the play in singing a song to gauge their various skills.

Audiences will get a fresh look at the age-old favorite play this Saturday, Feb. 7 at both 2 and 4:30 p.m. at the Perkins County Elementary School.

The local cast will feature Jaxon Schwanebeck as Hercules. Also featured are the six philosophers Androcles, Socrates, Aristotle, Zeus, Hera and Helen of Troy who will be played by Andrew Bruns, Tinley Harger, Abby Gengenbach, Creed Smetter, Eden Gengenbach and Emmy Tjaden. The announcers Homer and Archimedes will be played by Charlea Knoles and Emelia Hill and Pegasus will be played by Hayden Johnson. The Lion will be played by Alyce Dolezal. The comedic cyclopes will include Quinndalynn Williams, Sofia Hill and Lainey Lee. To complete the ensemble, Khianma Gonzales, Leroy Gonzales, Tuf Harger, Ailyn Cunningham and Viola Hill will appear as the competitive Olympians, and the mighty Titans will be played by Audrey Smith, Drake Turner, Leika McGannon, Lauren Bruns, Hawke Knapp, Maddi Howard and Easton Sandoz. Judy Kurkowski will serve as the accompanist for the event, with Missoula Children’s Theatre staff Brady Okic and Kay Kimble serving as the co-directors. 

Tickets for the event will be $10 for adults and $5 for students and will be available at the door.

The Missoula Children’s Theatre residency in Perkins County is presented locally by the Perkins County Youth Arts Program with support from the Perkins County Community Foundation Fund. For more information, call Toni Wyatt (308) 289-5624.