Houlton Star Bright Children’s Theatre to present ‘An Allagash Haunting’

    HOULTON — The Houlton Star Bright Children’s Theatre will present its annual production Friday, April 29 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 30, at 2 p.m. at the Houlton High School Auditorium and again on Saturday, May 7, at the Stearns High School in Millinocket at 6:30 p.m.
    This years’ production will be “An Allagash Haunting,” by local author Tim Caverly. “An Allagash Haunting” is set in the Allagash region of northern Maine, and tells the story of 10-year-old Olivia who, while on a canoe trip in the Allagash with her parents, meets with an unexpected visitor near an abandoned lumbermen’s boarding house. The book is the second in a series of children’s books by Tim Caverly that are set in the Allagash wilderness region. It has been adapted into a stage production by the author and the Houlton Star Bright Children’s Theatre.
    The production will also include traditional Acadian folk songs from the Allagash region which were collected in a volume of Acadian songs, recipes and customs, “Memories d’une Famille Acadienne”, by Marguerite Cyr, whose niece, Joan Logan is coaching with the cast members in their French pronunciations for the play. The Houlton Star Bright Children’s Theatre has adapted the songs from the hand-written manuscript and translated the lyrics from Acadian French into English. Some of the songs will be performed in both languages.
    “An Allagash Haunting” is being directed by Barbara Hogan and Ann Barnes, with musical direction by Mary Miller.
    The cast of “A Thousand Cranes” will feature a group of local children ranging from fourth to 10th grade. The children have been hard at work in rehearsals since December of last year. This special production and adaptation has been made possible through generous contributions from many local businesses and individuals.
    Ticket prices are $5 for adults, $3 for students, $4 for seniors and $15 for a family of four or more.
    The Houlton Star Bright Children’s Theatre, founded in 1969 by students at Ricker College, is one of the oldest community children’s theatres in the country and offers live theater for and by children to the Greater Houlton area. The Theatre is a non-profit organization supported by volunteer help and community donations.
    For more information contact, Frank Sullivan at 538-9416 or e-mail frank@rainbarrow.net