Area children to perform “Sleeping Beauty” on Saturday

On Saturday, June 19, area children will perform the play 'Sleeping Beauty' at the Brown Grand Theatre.

The play, an original adaptation of the classic fairy tale, is part of the annual Missoula Children's Theatre (MCT) presentation held in Concordia.
Begun 45 years ago, MCT has fostered developmental skills in more than a million children. In 2021 alone, MCT will work with 65,000 children in 1200 communities in all 50 states, and 17 countries.
Steven Thomas, originally from western Washington state, is the MCT tour director in Concordia. He's been with MCT since 2006. "I've been doing this for 15 years, and it's the most rewarding job I've ever had," Thomas said. "At the end of every week there's a show, and with the kids it's always a success."
19 area children will perform in the play. Piper Ferrell, in her fourth year of performing the MCT, will play the role of 'Younger Sleeping Beauty'.
"I really look forward to this every summer," Ferrell said. "I have a lot of friends here, so it's fun."
The actors have to learn their lines, rehearse, and then perform the play all in one week.
"Im a little nervous," Ferrell admitted. "I don't want to forget my lines."
Verity Elstrom will perform the role of 'Older Sleeping Beauty'. "It's fun, but I'm a little nervous," Elstrom said. "I've got a lot of singing to do, so I'm really working hard on that."
Keaton Hetrick, in his first year performing with MCT, will play the role of the 'King'. "This if my first time, so it's kind of hard, but I enjoy being up there. Me and the Queen (Katarina Howell) were friends already, so we help each other."
'Sleeping Beauty' will be performed at the Brown Grand Theatre on Saturday, June 19, at 3 p.m. Tickets for the show are $8.