MCT, the nation’s largest touring children’s theater, has been touring extensively for over 40 years now from Montana to Japan, and will visit over 1,200 communities this year with 44 teams of Tour Actor/Directors. A tour team will arrive at St. Ignatius with a set, lights, costumes, props and make-up, everything it takes to put on a play…except the cast. The team will hold an audition and cast 50-60 students 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 “Hansel & Gretel”. 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.

HANSEL AND GRETEL

Adapted by Jim Caron

Times are tough for modern-day Hank and Gretchen, ‘til they find themselves deep in the wondrous Wildwood world of Hansel and Gretel. The Missoula Children’s Theatre proudly presents an original musical adaptation of the Brothers Grimm age-old tale of a journey, a secret and a grand adventure.  Poor Hank and Gretchen! All of their friends, off to summer camp, have left them behind. While waiting for dinner, Hank and Gretchen fall asleep and dream their way to times gone by. They wake with a start!  Their clothes are so strange–and so are their names. Lost in the deep dark woods, Granny leads Hansel and Gretel on a search for the path which will lead them to better times at home. But as evening approaches and the moon rises above the trees, Hansel and Gretel are not alone! The Rascals dart from tree to tree as sweet little Wallybirds innocently munch on the cookie crumbs left as a map on the forest floor. Crafty cooks and Gingerbread Men lead our heroes to a colorful cottage concocted completely of candy and cakes, where Hansel and Gretel unravel the secret of the Wildwood Witch: Is she bad? Or is she good? Is she wicked…Or misunderstood? There’s music and laughter and thrills and chills. So join the fun as Hansel and Gretel’s dream is mysteriously blended with real life, and the lessons of one apply to the other. You’ll learn the secret of the Wildwood — but, shhh — don’t tell!