Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT) is coming to St. Ignatius on April 13, 2026

MCT, the nation’s largest touring children’s theater, has been touring extensively for over 40 years, from Montana to Japan, and will visit over 1,200 communities this year with 44 teams of Tour Actors/Directors. A tour team will arrive at St. Ignatius with a set, lights, costumes, props, make-up, everything it takes to put on a play…except the cast. The team will hold an audition and cast 50-60 students in grades K-8th to perform in the production. The show will be rehearsed throughout the week, and a public performance will be presented on Saturday. All MCT shows are original adaptations of classic children’s stories and fairytales . . . a twist on the classic stories that you know and love.  This year, we will be producing “The Tortoise and the Hare”. Creativity, social skills, goal achievement, communication skills, and self-esteem are all characteristics that are attained through participation in this unique, educational project.  MCT’s mission is the development of life skills in children through participation in the performing arts.  

Please see the show synopsis below.

THE TORTOISE AND THE HARE

Adapted by Emily Morrison

Music by Gregory Boris

Lyrics by Gregory Boris and Emily Morrison

The Missoula Children’s Theatre’s twist on Aesop’s classic is a hare-raising, ab-shell-lute whirlwind of fun! Taylor Tortoise and Curly Hare’s competitive antics are getting out of control, and all the other animals in their little town outside of Cape Canaveral, Florida, get roped into the shenanigans. When a group of astronauts comes through town, Curly Hare comes up with their kookiest stunt ever – to be the first animals on the moon! Well, talking animals, anyway. Taylor Tortoise and Curly Hare race to build a rocket and beat the other to space, but will their rivalry drive away their friends in the process? Who will make it to the moon first? And once they get to the moon…then what? The Tortoise and the Hare learn that maybe winning ISN’T everything; they can accomplish so much more by working together!