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YouPOP searching for Treasure Island


Jennifer Fry

Staff writer

Youth Players on the Plaza and the Janey Slaughter Briscoe Grand Opera House will present “Treasure Island,” a theatrical adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s beloved classic 19th-century novel of the same name. Opera house manager Rosie Whisenant is the play’s director.

Performances will be Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. There will also be a matinee showing at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets are $7 and are available at the door or online at www.uvaldeoperahouse.org/tickets. Tickets may also be purchased from the opera house box office from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. tomorrow through Friday.

About the Performance

The story follows Jim Hawkins, played by Noah Downing, as he assembles a crew and sets sail to find the treasure buried long ago by Captain Flint, whose parrot is played by Kyley McLerran.

The play will also feature such characters from the novel as Long John Silver, played by Carson Hiebert, and Billy Bones, played by Jessica McLerran.

Other characters include Lady Jaqueline Trelawney, played by Brenlie Villalobos; Miss Lucinda Livesey, played by Anna Packer; Captain Obadiah Smollett, played by Claire Dean; Meg Trueblood, played by Cora Ford; George Merry, also played by Jessica McLerran; Blind Pugh and Ben Gunn played by Kaydence Rodriguez; Black Dog, played by Ella Packer; Israel Hands, played by Emily Gonzales; Cheng I Sao, played by Eva Arreloa; Gentleman Jack, played by Victoria Flores; Old Joe, played by Danyn Pfalmer; Harry Flash, played by Anahi Garcia; Nathanial Crisp, played by Maya Ford; Piccadilly Poll, played by Bella Lanier; and Shoreditch Sal, played by Cashlyn Varnon.

The producer of the show is Amanda Van Cleve, chairman of the opera house board of directors. The technical operator is Autumn Wooten. Assistant stage manager is Cashlyn Varnon.

In recent years, YouPOP productions have been musicals. This year, the focus has been less on music and more on rhythm. The cast will use rhythm in the performance to create the illusion of a ship and crew at sea.

Throughout the show, the cast will be singing “sea shanties,” which are rhythmic call-and-response sections of the script. Such format allows for greater exploration into character-development and teamwork as a whole cast.

“The kids have been working so hard this year,” said Whisenant in a press release from the opera house. “We are already several days ahead of schedule and they have become a tight-knit group.

“Every day we get to explore something new and learn from each other,” she continued. “I think this year’s summer production is sure to impress everybody who sees it.”

The ages of the actors range from 8 to 17.

“They are all very professional,” Whisenant said, “and go above and beyond at each rehearsal.”

Cashlyn Varnon, one of the youth who, in addition to being assistant stage manager, plays Shoreditch Sal, concurs. “I’m really happy with my part,” she said.

jfry@ulnnow.com, 278-3335

 

 

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