February 23, 2009

Harding University theatre department presents classic adventure stories

SEARCY, Ark.—Pirates and a salty breeze mingle with howling wolves and jungle heat this weekend in the Ulrey Performing Arts Center at Harding University. From Feb. 26 to Feb. 28, "The Jungle Book" and "Treasure Island" will run at 7 p.m. A special matinee performance is also offered at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28. Tickets cost $6 for entrance to both of the back-to-back shows.

Aaron Tucker, senior theatre and mid-level English, language arts, and social science education major from Glendale, Ariz., will direct "Treasure Island" by Robert Louis Stevenson. 

Adapted by Aurand Harris, "Treasure Island" is the adventure of the young Jim Hawkins, played by Logan Kays, freshman theatre and English major from Red Wing, Minn.

Pirate Billy Bones, played by Nathaniel White, a freshman theatre major from Hernando, Miss., gives Hawkins a treasure map that leads him and his companions, Squire Trelawney, played by Zach Caton, senior Bible major from Garfield, Ark., and Doctor Livesey, played by Charles Brewer, senior biochemistry and molecular biology major from Memphis, Tenn., on a journey across the ocean.

Hawkins discovers pirates, treasure, swordfights and a cook with a peg leg named Long John Silver, portrayed by Gerad Vandegrift, senior oral communications major with teaching licensure from Fairfield, Calif.

Student director Tucker reports that this is the first show performed in the round in the Ulrey Performing Arts Center. The audience completely surrounds the stage. "Making sure that everyone can see the performers at all times is a priority," said Tucker. "The lights, sounds, and actors really make the audience feel like they're on the adventure with Jim."

Rachel Filbeck, junior theatre major from Cape Girardeau, Mo., directs "The Jungle Book" by Rudyard Kipling. The classic tale recounts the story of Mowgli, an orphan raised by wolves in the jungle, who learns the value of jungle law with the help of a hungry tiger, a crafty snake and some very mischievous monkeys. The story will be told in various Asian performance styles from India, Thailand, China and Indonesia.

Andrew White, sophomore accounting and information technology major from Centralia, Mo., plays the role of Mowgli. Shere Khan the tiger is played by Roberto Hernandez, senior biology major from Eagle Pass, Texas, and Josh Decker, junior theatre major from Hershey, Pa., plays the panther Bagheera.

For more information, call 501-279-4316.