Youth Theatre show opens today
Pier One Youth Theatre’s “The Wind in the Willows” opens at 7 p.m. Thursday, and continues at 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday, with a 3 p.m. matinee on Saturday. Written by Kenneth Grahame and adapted for the stage by T. James Belich, Lindsay Schneider directs the theater version of the classic children’s story.
What begins as a peaceful summer on the river is soon disrupted by Toad and his obsession with motorcars. After crashing several, he steals one and lands himself in jail. His friends Mole, Badger and Water Rat make every effort to protect Toad’s residence, Toad Hall, but are instead ousted by the ferrets and weasels of the Wild Wood. Will Toad escape from jail and regain Toad Hall? Will he learn a lesson about his boastful and impetuous ways?
“This is definitely the most ambitious production Youth Theatre has taken on, technically speaking, since probably ‘The Tempest’ when I was 13,” said Schneider.
With a cast of just 10 actors, Schneider said they play multiple parts in a variety of settings and take on the play’s themes well.
“We love how the story’s themes still resonate, even though it was written over a hundred years ago,” she said. “Toad is the classic greedy capitalist, aided by well mannered friends who see his good side but can’t stand how money has made him spoiled. And of course there’s the crafty weasels and ferrets, who are more than meets the eye.”
Schneider noted how author Kenneth Grahame’s original story prioritizes nature over industrialism.
“Nature is portrayed as paradise, and cities and machines are corrupting forces. It reminds me of environmental movements today,” she said.
The Pier One Youth Theatre Production Camp is the culmination of a summer of theater where students learn all variety of drama skills. Tickets are $12, on sale at the box office or the Homer Bookstore.
HCOA offers fall art, dance classes
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct the spelling for Mariah Maloney.
The Homer Council on the Arts offers art classes starting this fall and a dance workshop on Labor Day.
Artist Lynn Naden teaches monthly art classes September through November and January through April. For grades 4 to 6, the fee is $160 a month general or $1,100 for all seven months and $128 a month HCOA members or $878 for all seven months.
Naden teaches an understanding of the history of different art genres as well as developing technical skills.
Genres covered include drawing, painting, print making, fiber art, paper art and sculpture.
Mariah Maloney offers a master class in dance movement from 6:30-8 p.m. Monday, Labor Day, Sept. 3 at the Homer High School Green Room. For teenagers through adult, Maloney guides students through warm-ups, improvisation and repertory.
Participants will learn to listen to their bodies, expanding range and diversity of motion. Maloney said her hope is “that participants leave the class feeling refreshed, alive, and powerful yet at ease.” The class is $22.
For more information and to register, visit www.homerart.org or call 235-4288.
Indigo Sonnenborn, far right, rehearses a scene from “The Wind in the Willows.” Joining her are, from left to right, Thea Person, Esme Golden, Elsa Pietsch and Poppy Smith. The Pier One Youth Theatre play shows Thursday through Sunday, Aug. 9-12, 2018, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
