Arlee students star in Missoula Children’s Theater production

By B.L. Azure

Sir Lancelot (Haley Wilson) and Merlin (Suvi Rova) react to the tales of doom shadowing King Arthur. (B.L. Azure photo)

ARLEE — The stage in the old gymnasium at Arlee was rocking with tales of old Saturday evening. The reason: the Missoula Children’s Theater production of King Arthur’s Quest, a slightly different take on the hero, this time shadowed with doubts about his ability to rule over his troubled kingdom.

It’s all there: Camelot, King Arthur, Guinevere, Merlin, the Knights of the Round Table, damsels, squires, the sword in the stone, dragons, giants and more. The students of Arlee played all the numerous parts.

King Arthur, played by Arlee student Nick Morigeau, is beset with problems that threaten to overwhelm his kingdom. However, with the assistance of allies, King Arthur is able to overcome the problems and restore joy to Camelot.

Damsel of the Second Order (Debra Joseph, left) has a verbal exchange with the Damsels of the First Order in King Arthur's Quest Saturday. (B.L. Azure photo)

It was a happy ending to an evening of pre-Thanksgiving community fun, thanks to MCT, the budding Arlee thespians and Arlee educators Bonnie Barger and Carrie Drye, as well as Anne Stewart, Lisa Miller, Gregg Dougherty and janitorial staff, Deanne Marks, Wendy Swab, Jan Bennett, KaDe Decker, Jill Couture, Melinda Pablo and Val Espinoza.

The primary goal/mission of MCT is the development of life skills: social, communication, self-discipline, a strong work ethic, an understanding of the team concept and self-esteem in children through participation in the performing arts.

The non-profit MCT has fostered development of life skills in more than a million youngsters in its 40 years of existence. Approximately 65,000 children in 1,200 American communities and 17 countries will participate in this year’s MCT tour productions.

The MCT residency in Arlee is sponsored by Arlee School District 8J with support from the 21st Century Grant, Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation, the Montana Arts Council and others.

The mean old giant is subdued by the sweetness of the Minis in the Missoula Children's Theater production of King Arthur's Quest in Arlee. (B.L. Azure photo)

Missoula Children’s Theater remains dedicated to providing financially accessible arts experiences to all communities, regardless of size, location or economic status.

King Arthur’s Quest was conceived and written by Michael McGill, executive director of the MCT.

Tessa Raden and Noah William Weary of the MCT directed the production.

Assistant directors were Mackenzie Koetter, Raistlen Staber and Peyton Lammerding.

King Arthur's Quest was full of action and reaction to the twist and turns of the plot. (B.L. Azure photo)

King Arthur’s Quest cast:
King Arthur - Nick Morigeau; Molly BigSam - Guinevere; Haley Wilson - Sir Lancelot; Suvi Rova - Merlin; Eden Morin - The Raven; Melody Burnett - Taleisin the Bard; Megan Schick - Lady of the Lake; Elizabeth Morigeau - Ghost of Uther Pendragon; Natalie Yocum - Mordred; and Amber Steele - Morgan Le Fey.
• The Knights: Natalie Larson, Kaylee Samsel, Darren Marks, Dalton Marks, Autumn Moran and Derek Marks.
• The Squires: Abigail Baldwin, Marri Rice, Anna Henry, Ashley Potts, Shania Parker and Saige Koetter.
• The Camelotians: Rylee Arlee, Dustin Cordier, Devin Cordier, Frankie Wright, Jon-Anthony Henry, Steven Yother, Bella Starratt, Caydance Wilson, Mandy Couture and Madiah Morin.

The cast of King Arthur's Quest makes a curtain call at the end of Saturday's performance. (B.L. Azure photo)

• The Damsels: Emily Larson, Cheyenne Haynes, Isidora Wanner, Taylor Lammerding, Savannah Thompson and Debra Joseph.
• The Minis: Jocelyn Felsman, RJ Knoll, Patience Bunce, Raven Parson, Austin Baldwin, Karli Doerr, Damyen Coates, Ty Thompson, Koby Belcourt, Whirly Bell, Halle Adams, Shelby Smith, Rylee Belcourt, Noah Coulson, Carter Pendergrass, Rhen Sorrell and Dean Greenwood.

Accompanist: Bonnie Barger

For more information on MCT, call 728-1911.

The MCT website: www.mctinc.org