New Larose bridge in works to replace pontoon path
June 3, 2008June 5
June 5, 2008
Whether she actually saved Virginia colonist John Smith’s life from her Algonquin father, Powhatan, may be beside the point.
Thibodaux Playhouse’s summer production of the Vera Morris-Scott De Turk children’s musical “Pocahontas” will contain that incident plus plenty more about the legendary life of Pocahontas, with a few magical elements included.
“The scene where Pocahontas has to save John Smith’s life is one of the things people are looking for,” said director Stanley Coleman. “It’s memorable.”
The playhouse will stage “Pocahontas” at the Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center near downtown Thibodaux (314 St. Mary St.) from Thursday, June 26, to Sunday, June 29. Shows are at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, with 2 p.m. matinees on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets cost $6.
“This follows the original tale pretty closely,” Coleman said. “Critics have said it may not be true, but it’s true to the original legend.”
Entirely different from the 1995 Walt Disney movie, the stage musical has no “Colors of the Wind.”
“It’s filled with a lot of Native American lore,” he said. “It’s very important. It’s a beautiful production. The music is very beautiful – they use a lot of drums.”
Some of the children are being trained to play tom-toms, Coleman said. The kids dance, but movement will be kept to a minimum.
Thibodaux’s “Pocahontas” will feature a cast of around 50 children and teenagers from 8 to 16 years old.
Patrice Gilton is Pocahontas, Cade Lagreco plays John Smith and Treva Breaux is Powhatan.
Other cast members include Marcel Hebert (Aunt Morning Star), Duncan Bland (Brave Eagle), Joelle Joolsby (Happy She Walks) and Haley Fremin (Little Running Rabbit).
The animal characters Raven, Wolf and Squirrel appear as well.
“It’s not elaborate costumes,” he said. “They’ll make things stand out by their facial and vocal expressions.”
Other kids will portray the supernaturally-endowed Forest Spirits and Mother Earth, decked out in draped, flowing costumery and masks or face paint.
The play also has characters who “stir up trouble,” Coleman said.
Thundercloud (Mohammed Rais), a medicine man, prevents Pocahontas from aiding the hungry, disease-afflicted colonists and settler Mercy Rogers utters verbal jabs.
But Thibodaux’s “Pocahontas” is really about putting on a show kids and adults will enjoy seeing.
“I hope it’s an exciting production,” Coleman said, “with a lot of involvement for kids.”
“Pocahontas” cast members rehearse a scene from the play. Pictured clockwise from top are: Treva Breaux, Mohammed Rais, Marcel Hebert, Duncan Bland, Haley Fremin, Joelle Joolsby, Cade Lagreco and Patrice Gilton.
