A swashbuckling good time is to be had at ‘Treasure Island,’
brought to life by both Gavilan and South Valley Civic theaters
Pirate mania is coming to the South Valley with not one, but two productions based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel, “Treasure Island.” Yo-ho your way to a swashbuckling musical version at South Valley Civic Theatre or get a quick 50-minute fix of treasure and the high seas at Gavilan College Theatre.
“I think it’s great that there are two productions (of “Treasure Island”) going on,” said director and Gavilan College theater teacher John Lawton-Haehl, who is also playing Black Dog in the show. “I think it’s great for audiences to see what one group did as opposed to the other. And, they’re two very different shows. Our show is a 50-minute original adaptation and the other is a musical.”
“Treasure Island” is the tale of young Jim Hawkins who discovers a treasure map and finds himself caught up in pirate mischief and mutiny lead by the notorious one-legged pirate, Long John Silver.
In the Gavilan production, theater student Katrina Sherwood, 18, plays 11-year-old Jim Hawkins.
“The show is kind of our own idea of what the story is, and that’s what makes it special,” said Sherwood, who explained how the script was adapted from classroom improvisation. “We don’t have the constraints of someone else’s script. We’ve made it really easy to understand, so it’s a great family show and the sets are really amazing.”
The musical production at South Valley Civic Theatre also promises a great family show. Director Loritta Johnson said the pirate costumes were appropriately “raunchy” and the children starring in the show have perfected their pirate accents.
“I’ve been practicing my accent a lot; I got a lot of inspiration from the Disney film version of the book,” said Matt Alpert, 14, who plays Long John Silver in the Civic Theatre production. “I also walk on a peg leg with a crutch. They strap my leg backwards and connect the peg to my knee. It’s pretty complicated and not very easy, but it’s fun. My character is so great because he’s kind of evil but he’s also a nice guy you’d want to be friends with, too. I’m having a lot of fun.”
The South Valley Civic Theatre show stars children ages 7 to 14. Many costumes came from San Benito Stage Company and the songs add a dash of comedy to the pirate adventure. Johnson said audiences should pay particular attention to hilarious “cheese song.”
“I think the songs and the choreography are pretty cool and the story is awesome,” said Marcus Pereira, 12, who plays the nasty blind pirate Pew in the show. “This is my first play at SVCT, and I’m really excited about it. My costume is great – it’s got this old, raggedy appearance that makes it look like I’ve been wandering for a long time.”
So, grab your gold earring and parrot and experience the pirate’s life at a “Treasure Island” production.
Just remember: Beware the one-legged pirate.
