Supporting Stephenson Elementary School
The Weekend Photographer is proud to support Stephenson Elementary School. As a parent of a student I find it important to support the children and school. As my background is in video production and photography, documenting school plays and special events allows me to give back to the school.
Love for the Arts - Mural Artist at Stephenson
Murals by William Hernandez
Missoula Children's Theatre Performances
Twice a year a red pickup-truck from Montana shows up at Stephenson Elementary School for a fun filled week of auditions, rehearsals and the big show at the end. The Missoula Children's Theatre (MTC) is the nation’s largest touring children’s theater and has been touring extensively for more than 40 years.
Starting in 2023 The Weekend Photographer has taken on the roll of recording each show at Stephenson, then editing it and sharing it with our great community near and far. For some grandparents and other family members, who cannot attend these wonderful shows, it's a great way to stay connected.
RECORDED March 14th, 2025
SLEEPING BEAUTY
Synopsis
The Missoula Children’s Theatre presents SLEEPING BEAUTY, an original adaptation of the classic fairy tale. A new princess is born, and from far and wide the people of the kingdom gather to celebrate. One simple mistake is made - an invitation is misplaced -and the wrath of the vicious Scarella falls upon the poor infant in the form of a spell.
Sleeping Beauty is now destined to sleep for eternity if she should prick her finger on a spindle before she reaches her sixteenth birthday. Sleeping Beauty’s Fairy Godmothers do their best to amend the spell, but Scarella, with the help of some nasty Trolls, tricks Sleeping Beauty into pricking her finger and the spell takes effect.
Five hundred years pass and Sleeping Beauty wakes to find herself in a Rock ‘n Roll dream! Also featured in this production are the King and the Queen, Spot, the Fairies, the Palace Attendants and the Caterpillars. SLEEPING BEAUTY - a Rock ‘n Roll Fable for the ages. This is definitely no sleeper!
The Pied Piper
Synopsis
What can be done when hungry rats invade your town? In Hamelin Town, Sara, an orphan girl, and the other townspeople turn to the Mayor and the Council for help when their town is threatened. They then seek the assistance of the Pied Piper to rid them of the troublesome creatures. The Mayor's children, staff, and cooks also join the effort.
Discover what unfolds when the town decides not to pay the Piper and the children, along with the rats, are led away from the town!
Beauty Lou and the Country Beast
Synopsis
Missoula Children’s Theatre presents BEAUTY LOU AND THE COUNTRY BEAST, an original country western adaptation of the classic fairy tale BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. Beauty Lou is the oldest daughter of the bronc-bustin’ balladeer Buck. At the local county fair, young Beauty Lou is upset by the ungrateful behavior of a miner who has won the blue ribbon for his beautiful roses. She calls him a beast and wishes that he would look like one too.
Years later, when in danger of losing the family farm, Buck meets the miner-turned-beast. Beauty Lou agrees to befriend the Beast to save her family.
Beauty Lou and the Beast both learn to look beyond appearances and first impressions and to see the beauty that dwells inside.
The story, set in the American West, also features Beauty Lou’s six sisters, her Imaginary Friend, her dog Fleabite Clyde, farmhands Slim and Dusty, the neighborly Country Folk and the Barnyard Critters.
King Arthur's Quest
Synopsis
King Arthur, of legend and song, strode across Medieval England with courage and confidence - or did he? What if the troubles of his kingdom threatened to overwhelm him? Watch the Damsels in Distress sound the warning of trouble.
Witness the Lady of the Lake as she produces the sword in the stone. Hide with the Camelotians when the Ghost of Arthur's father visits the castle. See the Giant tower over the questing knights. Cheer for the King when he makes friends with the terrible dragon. Listen in as Morgan Le Fey and Mordred propose a better plan. Join the Knights and Squires of the Round Table as they try to do the right thing. Hope for the best outcome as your favorite characters of Camelot - Arthur, Guinevere, Merlin, Taliesin, The Raven, and Lancelot wrestle with the challenges faced by their people. Follow the original twist on this familiar story as it weaves its way through a landscape full of surprises!
The Little Mermaid
Synopsis
Deep in the salty waters of the Sassafras Sea, there lived a Little Mermaid. Her name was Celia. She lived for music. In fact, it was said that she had the loveliest scales in all of the Deep. Celia and her three sisters were allowed one visit to the World Above, each on their sixteenth birthday, to learn the secrets of life on dry land.
Their discoveries included ferocious dragons, advancing armies and, of course, a handsome and resourceful Prince Charming. In a new version of the age-old tale, lots of music, plot surprises and humor await the audience.
The Missoula Children's Theatre Tour is Sponsored by
