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Bentley school performs spoof on play ‘Rapunzel’

A total of 45 Bentley school students from grades 1-12 were involved with the Missoula Children’s Theatre performance.
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The student cast of Rapunzel who performed at the Bentley school recently. A total of 45 Bentley school students from grades 1-12 were involved with the Missoula Children’s Theatre performance based on the classic Rapunzel story in the Bentley high school gymnasium.

A total of 45 Bentley school students from grades 1-12 were involved with the Missoula Children’s Theatre performance based on the classic Rapunzel story in the Bentley high school gymnasium.

The Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT) has been coming to Bentley school for many years. This year the tour actor/directors for MCT were Ted Drury and Morgan Maul-Smith.

Elementary school administrative assistant Jacquie Ruud has helped bring in and coordinate the event for a number of years. It is paid for with funds from Milk, Hot Dog, Subway Days, Popcorn Days and the Hot Lunch program that students purchase she indicated.

Auditions were held May 4 after school and continued all week. Auditions are open to all and some students audition each year MCT comes.

The Korey and Brenda Von Kuster family hosted the tour directors for the week.

The Saturday afternoon May 9 performance was well attended.

“The afternoon performance seems to work better for many people (than an evening performance),” stated Ruud.

She also noted, “MCT has been coming to Bentley School for over 20 years. Many students have performed every year, Grade 1-12.”

Of special note was the wonderful job local Grade 12 student Domenica Schunk did as accompanist throughout the entire musical production.

All costumes, props and the background as well as additional lighting were brought by MCT.

The backdrop was colorful and unique. Interestingly, it could very easily transition between the top of Rapunzel’s tower and action at ground level by simply sliding curtains across and turning the “tower”.

The characters of Rapunzel and the prince were shared between two actors.

There were a number of mushrooms, wood elves, pixies, gremlins, ogres, the three bears, three Billy goats gruff, and unicorns. There was also a troll, a beaver, a potato and two ears of corn, Fun Gus and Madame Gothel who had control over Rapunzel, and Maurice and Monique who were Rapunzel’s parents. Three students also helped as as- sistant directors.

The ‘frivolous frolic through the French countryside’ lasted just over an hour.

Costumes were packed up after the performance and ready to move on to the next location. Such organization and scheduling is difficult to match anywhere.