'Tom Sawyer' Brings Comedy And Music To Triton Stage
Posted
David Slone-dslone@timesuniononline.com
BOURBON - Tom Sawyer is bringing his friends and antics to the Triton Junior-Senior High School auditorium this weekend.
The Triton Performing Arts Department is presenting the musical adventure "Tom Sawyer" Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Seating is general admission, and tickets are $5 for adults and $3.50 for students and seniors. Tickets are $2 for children in kindergarten or younger. A family of four or more, parents and children, is $15.
Director Peter Foster said "Tom Sawyer" is set in the 1800s in Missouri. It's a musical adaptation of the novel by Sam Clemens, aka Mark Twain.
With the musical version, Foster said the author put together several musical vignettes. It's intertwined with the very dark side of a murder and bank robbery.
"It's a very light comedic approach," Foster said. "In the middle of the first act, it goes to a cemetery where Doc Robinson and Injun Joe go to bury money, but Joe kills Doc. The boys in the cemetery witness it."
The musical "Tom Sawyer" was done on Broadway previously.
"It's a very wholesome family show," Foster said.
People are not likely to recognize the songs, Foster said. They include "Hannibal is the Only Place for Me" and "Brighter Day".
The show starts out with the "Hannibal" number and then goes to the two narrators for the show, Sam Clemens and Mark Twain. Foster said the two narrate the whole show.
The show is about 1 hour, 20 minutes.
"We try to make (it short) so younger kids will be able to sit through it," said Foster.
Anyone who has read the novel "Tom Sawyer" will recognize several scenes in the musical adaptation, including the fence-painting scene.
"It's very family friendly," said Foster. "No foul language, a lot of comedy. Nothing for people to be afraid of."
The associate director of "Tom Sawyer" is Susan Dietzal, and keyboard accompanist is Christine Cook.
Triton's cast includes 30 students, including six who are under 6 years old.The cast includes: Dylan Senff as Sam Clemens; Simon Salgado, Mark Twain; Jacob Stouder, Tom Sawyer; Autti McKenna, Aunt Polly; Justin Hefner, Huck Finn; Adrienne Utter, Becky Thatcher; Erica Beatty, Mary; Sam Schuller, Sid; Rabekah Day, Sarah; Brandon Haines, Injun Joe; Aaron Haines, Muff Potter; Chris Sechrist, Doc Robinson; Patrick Engels, preacher; and Kandace Terry as Ben.
The fence painters in the show include: Cody Smith as Chris; Brianna Trowbridge, Jeannie; Cassadi Edington, Pat; Lezlie Julian, Julian; Cody Williams, Jimmy; and Kacie Pugh as Michelle.
Students in the classroom are played by Erica Beatty, Sam Schuller, Cody Smith, Cody Williams, Maclain Middaugh, Jon Michael Deaton, Kyle Pugh, Maclain Middaugh, Kacie Pugh, Brianna Trowbridge, Lezlie Julian, Morgan Bachner, Alexia Paysen, Jaymason Deaton and Brody Haines.
Also in the show are Senff as sheriff; Salgado as Judge Thatcher; Bachner as paper girl; Day as Mrs. Dobbins; and Chloe Bradley as Baby Claire.
