King awakens Sleeping Beauty in Cathlamet

On Saturday, 39 Wahkiakum students put on two performances of the Missoula Children's Theatre production of Sleeping Beauty to the delight of family and friends.

The character of the jester, played by MCT actor/director Alyssa Cooper, drove the action and was in most of the scenes. The students only have five days to learn their lines, songs and dances as well as cues and stage directions, and it works well.

The villain Scarella curses Sleeping Beauty to touch a spindle when she turns 16 and sleep forevermore. The other fairies step in to soften the blow and change the length of the spell to a mere 500 years. Fortunately, Elvis "The King" Presley shows up and blows a kiss to lift the curse. Then he takes Sleeping Beauty out for a soda.

The event raised $2,793 through tickets and donations, just $107 short of being able to bring MCT back next year.

Sleeping Beauty was played by Jessica Baker and Kirstan Manginelli. The villain, Scarella, was performed by Micca Cothren. David Thompson and Novella Hokkanen played the King and Queen. Cadence Guest was a lady in waiting. Mallory Warrick was cast as Spot the dog and Allie Bennett was the town crier.

The fairies were played by Damaris Blalock, Amanda Carroll, Taya Deal, Miya Kerstetter, Brookelynn Luthi, Julianne McKay-Beach, Gabby Morrill, Katelyn Muyskens, Kaydi Prescott and Miya Smith.

Wyatt Bruntmyer, Ryan Robinson, Elijah Thompson, Patrick Thompson and Ian Wuestefeld were cast as trolls.

Musicians were played by Selena Salas and Maddi Thoreson. The cooks were Tamara Klienhans and Megan Leitz. Libby Davis, Abby Hargrove and Dakota Nicholson were cast as servants. Jazzmine Klienhans and Ava Thomas played guards. Alexis Carr, Shiloh Hoven, Abigail McKay-Beach, Evelynn Miller, Addy Morrill and Eryn Perrine were caterpillars that soon turned to butterflies.

The assistant director was Matthew Hargrove. Sheran Parker was the accompanist.