By LeAnn R. Ralph
COLFAX — Time flies during the summer — and now auditions for the Missoula Children’s Theatre production of “Jack and the Beanstalk” are right around the corner.
The auditions for the play begin at 9 a.m. Monday, August 19, at Colfax Lutheran Church, 600 Balsam Street, Colfax.
Any child who was in first grade through twelfth grade this past school year is eligible to audition, said Troy Knutson, events coordinator for the Colfax Municipal Building Restoration Group.
The Missoula Children’s Theatre production of “Jack and the Beanstalk” is being sponsored by the Colfax Municipal Building Restoration Group.
Between 50 and 60 children will be cast in the play, and no prior performance experience is needed.
There is no cost to audition for “Jack and the Beanstalk,” but the cost is $25 for each child who ends up in the play, Knutson said.
The Missoula Children’s Theatre production of “Jack and the Beanstalk,” an adaptation of the classic children’s story, was written by Jim Caron with music by Michael McGill, additional dialogue and music by Michelle Nigh and staging and arrangements by Michael McGill.
In addition to Jack, other characters in the play include P.T. Wonder, the Giant, Elegant Harp, Jill, Mother, Milky White, the Farmers, the Merchants, the Circus Performers and the Wonder Beans.
Some of the rehearsals will be at Colfax Lutheran, and some of the rehearsals will be in the Colfax Municipal Building auditorium, also known as the Cozy Theater.
Rehearsals will be Monday, August 19, through Friday, August 23.
The rehearsals are two to four hours per day, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., and from 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
The rehearsal times and duration depend upon the part for which the child is cast in the play.
The staff members from Missoula Children’s Theatre are professionals who have every minute of the week planned out so that by the time of the performances at the end of the week, the kids are confident of their ability to deliver their lines, sing the songs and dance the dances, Knutson said.
Last year’s Missoula Children’s Theatre production at the Colfax Municipal Building auditorium was “Blackbeard the Pirate.”
Cozy Theater
Other recent events in the Colfax Municipal Building auditorium have included movies, Halloween parties and Christmas parties in conjunction with the Colfax Public Library.
The popular “Truth Be Told” live story-telling events also have been held in the auditorium.
“Truth Be Told” editions have included stories for Halloween, Christmas and Valentine’s Day, the 60th Anniversary of the Colfax Tornado and a Holiday Travel Edition.
“The Looney Lutherans” have visited the auditorium, too, and live music events — The Britons (a Beatles tribute band), Herrick & Friends, the Stringsmiths, the Ottersons Blue Grass Roundup, Poppa Bear Norton and the Eau Claire Ukulele Klub— have been held in the auditorium as well.
Upcoming events at the auditorium this fall will include a Johnny Cash tribute — The Church of Cash in September and a Christmas edition of the Looney Lutherans in November.
CMBRG currently is raising money to install an elevator in the building.
The Colfax Village Board has authorized an elevator committee to raise funds and find out information about grant opportunities as well.
The Colfax Municipal Building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Performances
There will be two performances of “Jack and the Beanstalk” on Saturday, August 24, at 3 p.m. and again at 5:30 p.m. in the Colfax Municipal Building’s Cozy Theater.
The cost for admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.
Tickets are available at the Colfax Public Library, the Colfax Arts & Antique Mall on Main Street in Colfax and at the Colfax Messenger. Tickets also will be available at the door the day of the show.
Members of the community are encouraged to attend one of these performances to show their support for the children who worked hard all week to put together a play, Knutson said.
