When Captain Hook sends his right-hand man Smee on a quest to capture Peter Pan, it’s seemingly business as usual … at first. Little does Hook realize what fantastic adventures await him and his pirate posse in their search for the elusive Peter Pan in the upcoming show, "Peter and Wendy," this Friday and Saturday.
The local cast features Journey Bentler as Peter Pan and Rynn Reams as Peter’s Shadow. Playing the Lost Boys are Presley Bachman and Elsa Romaine. Ellixis Tooker is Wendy Darling; Emily Johnson is Michael Darling. Mr. Darling and Smee are played by MCT Tour Actors Kelson Bauman and Raegan Branch. The notorious Captain Hook is Anton Pierce, with a pirate crew of Grace Johnson and Hank Londberg. Damara O’Connell is Tiger Lily, and Michael Kus and Audrey Martinez are the Neverlanders.
The Missoula Children's Theatre (MCT) residency in Nucla is brought to you by the West End Theatre Creative (WETC) with support from the Vestal House, West End Pay It Forward Trust, Telluride Foundation, West End Public Schools, Montrose West Recreation, Ruth Phippeny and many private donors. MCT is the nation’s largest touring children’s theater. They have been touring extensively for nearly 50 years, bringing theater from Montana to communities in the U.S. and as far away as Japan. This year alone, MCT will visit nearly 1,100 communities.
Megan Caruso spearheaded the initiative to bring MCT to the West End more than three years ago. Previous area MCT productions include "Frog Prince" and "Secret Garden." MCT provides a week-long immersive theater program for area youth, along with two experienced theater instructors, costumes and a set.
“There are limited theater and art opportunities available to the children of the West End,” said Sara Bachman, a local volunteer helping to coordinate the MCT residency and fundraising. “Bringing MCT to the area helps bridge this gap. Not only do the children learn about theater and acting, but they also learn important public speaking skills, teamwork and discipline learning their lines.”
Mallory Rice, whose daughter is participating in the program for the third year, said, “The Missoula Children’s Theatre is a highlight in my daughter’s year. The quality of the instruction and production is unmatched.”
West End Theatre Creative is seeking donations to make the production possible again in 2025, as well as donations of meals for the MCT instructors during their residency in the West End. WETC also seeks volunteers who can be available during rehearsals to help as needed during the week.
"Peter and Wendy" will be presented on Friday, Aug. 2, at 6 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 3, at 11 a.m., at the new West End Public School in Nucla. Entry is permitted on the south side of the building near the school bus drop-off. Tickets are a suggested donation of $5/per person at the door.
For more information, call Megan Caruso at 720-841-4271 or Sara Bachman at 970-250-0484.
