The Arts

Fabulous play gives Brooklyn a taste of Treasure Island

October 29, 2012 Editorial Staff

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For the past three weeks, a truly magical rendition of Treasure Island has been touring the country by truck, not boat, and with another three more weeks to go, the actors are alluring the audiences everywhere they go.

On Friday evening, October 19, the five characters in the Magik Theater of Austin production came to Brooklyn for two days, taking over the room at the Block Academy, 133 27^th Avenue, and filling the air with excitement and giggles from the youngsters in the audience.

The incredibly-well produced, one-hour play focused on an adaptation of the adventure novel by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson, narrating a pirate-tale while using a wooden box that transformed itself into various scenarios.

Jim Hawkins, played by 21-year-old Anthony Bosman, is the young son of the owners of the Admiral Benbow Inn, who dreams of adventures and sailing the ocean. The story revolves around the discovery of buried gold after Jim and his mother have unlocked a sea chest that once belonged to the old, drunken captain Billy Bone, finding a logbook and map inside.

Each character, from the one-legged pirate Long John Silver, played by John Stillwaggon, to the Pirate Wench, played by Kelly Petlin, from pirate Kes Scudday to narrator Jeremy Zenor, contribute to the wonderful mix of humorous remarks, incorporating songs and dances that turn the show into a round-up unforgettable experience.

Lessons include: not believing everything you see, being careful what you wish for, and teaching the kids that some people arent what they seem.

Aiden Lawren, 10, one of Stillwaggons Act-Out! Acting Schools students who played the part of Captain Hook in Peter Pan (written and directed by his professor, John Stillwaggon) said he liked it a lot.

Its a lot of work, and a challenge, added Stillwaggon, to find good actors, and such a good team. Their next stop is New Mexico, then California, and having come from Colorado, he is loving the traveling aspect of the national tour.

Scudday, originally from Louisiana, says she loves making people laugh. I dont get to do three completely different characters very often. Its very fun!

Sam Schell, stage manager, ran the lights, the music and the sounds and made sure that the play ran smoothly. Its nice to be on the other side, he noted, remarking that getting to do what we love, is priceless to him. Its hard, he continued, speaking of how he doesnt always get to spend plenty of time with his children.

I get to talk and interact with the audience, Zenor, said. Its so much fun!