“ARRRRGH!”

The pirate talk came fast and funny during “Blackbeard The Pirate,” a play performed by students of the Clallam Bay School in the school gymnasium, Friday, April 11.The play, presented by the Missoula Children’s Theater, featured nearly fifty students on and off stage, from all class ages. The MCT provided an array of wonderful costumes and character parts, including lovely mermaids, pretty parrots, cha-cha-ing pirate-treasure-guarding crabs, feckless beach bums, spooky seaweed creatures and polite sailors, and a band of bearded pirates that would have done Robert Newton proud. Two squabbling crocodiles who learned to get along were just two examples of good lessons for children included in the script, along with finding a place in life, staying healthy with exercise, and sun safety – the latter just in time to prevent summer sunburns.The children auditioned on Monday of the same week, and had only three and a half days to learn the songs, script and choreography. They performed with great gusto and humor, bringing continuing laughs and applause from the audience.Songs were based on such favorites as “The Song of the Outward Bound,” and included the parrots’ squawking parody, “Yo ho, a Parrot’s Life For Me.” Other musical references included a fast Macarena by one of the pirates. The players thanked the local community and all the teachers for assistance and for the many homes that opened their doors for them to stay while in town. The Missoula players are celebrating their 40th year of bringing theater to schools in all the United States and in seventeen other countries, making them the largest touring group in the world. They are supported by a grant from the Montana Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts.The community is encouraged to ensure future performances by contacting Development Director Cate Sundeen. Please say how much you enjoyed the show, at csundeen@mctinc.com