'Treasure Island' walks BLT planks for summer
The Butler Little Theatre is putting a pirate tale on the planks this summer.
BLT's summer youth production is “Treasure Island” this year, adapted by Aurand Harris with music by Kevin Dunn, based on the novel by Robert Louis Stevenson.
Young actors ages 10 to 22 are featured under the direction of Shannon Donovan and student director Christian Cendrowski. The show opens July 19 at the air-conditioned theater.
The audience is invited to sail with the young Jim Hawkins on the HMS Hispaniola on a daring adventure to Treasure Island.
In a conflict between good and evil, all of Stevenson's famous characters are aboard.
The role of Billy Bones, who mentors to the young hero, Jim Hawkins, is being portrayed by Ian Reitemeyer, 21, of Butler Township.
“He's responsible for the start of the grand adventure,” Reitemeyer said. “I love being this character because he is loud and brings a lot of momentum.”
This is Reitemeyer's first acting experience.
Mrs. Hawkins is being played by Lydia Steele, 15, of Center Township. The Butler High School sophomore is no stranger to the stage and delighted with her role. “The thing I enjoy most about playing Mrs. Hawkins is that I get to put all this depth and emotion behind her that makes the performance more meaningful to me, even if she doesn't have the most stage time in the show,” said Steele.
For her, the English accent is the biggest challenge, she said.
The role of Dr. Livesey is being played by Molly Miller, 19, of Butler Township.
Miller describes her character as smart, cunning and adventurous. She said she enjoys the stage combat the role requires. “The hardest part about playing this role is NOT being the comic relief,” she said. “My character is very straight-forward and honest, whereas I'm used to playing more comedic roles.”
Miller was last seen on stage as Alice in “The Rise and Rise of Daniel Rocket” at the BLT.
Montana Simpson, 22, of Butler has been performing in the BLT youth productions for the past six years.
He said of his “Treasure Island” character, Dirk: “I love being able to portray a creepy character on stage. It's different than anything I've done before,” he said.
The show also features Lynzie Ball, Emele Cammisa, Naomi Eberle, Victor Eberle, Devon Elmer, Jake Hetrick, Anna Miller, Sam Miller, Rowan Smith, Sawyer Smith, Cody Sutisna and Conner Yelich.
WHO: Butler Little TheatreWHAT: Summer youth production of “Treasure Island” by Aurand HarrisWHEN: 7 p.m. July 19 to 21 and 2 p.m. July 22WHERE: BLT, One Howard St.TICKETS: $13 at BLTgroup.org or at the door 45 minutes before curtainINFO: 724-287-6781
