'Pirates' coming to St. John

ST. JOHN – Several families are combining their stage skills for three performances of "The Pirates of the Penzance" this coming Friday and Saturday.

Directed by Eastern Washington University student Dominic Treis of St. John, the free performances will take place at Eccles Community Hall, 9752 state Highway 23. Show times are 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26, and 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27.

Sound is being managed by Ken Treis.

Jackie Widhalm and Danielle Treis handled costumes, while Donna Snider designed the set.

Treis family planned the choreography.

"This is a swashbuckling, sword fighting, seaworthy musical adventure," Treis said, noting donations will be accepted to help cover production costs.

"We'd love to have as many people in there as we possibly can," he said, noting the site is an old grange hall – the former Wheatland Grange.

"It has a huge stage; the community has been restoring it," Treis said. "We are starting to have more events in this old community hall."

The cast of the show features aspiring thespians ages 5-21, Treis said. Most of the cast will also handle stage settings, lighting and more.

Actors are coming from the St. John, Walla Walla, Tri-Cities areas, as well as Moscow, Idaho.

The cast includes:

John Merriman – The Pirate King

Christopher Treis – Pirate King lieutenant Samuel

Micah Vawter – Pirate crewman Micah

John Down – Pirate crewman John

Toby Guadagnini – Pirate crewman Toby

Robert Merriman – Pirate crewman Robert

Matthew Vawter – Pirate crewman Matthew

Dominic Treis – Pirate apprentice Frederic

Marianne Treis – Piratical Maid of All Work Ruth

Michael Down – Police sergeant

Michael Merriman – Second sergeant

Andrew Guadagnini, Benedict Treis, Nathan Vawter, Kevin Merriman and Edmund Treis – police officers

Jesse Vawter – Major General Stanley

Catherine Treis – Mabel

Bernadet Treis – Edith

Rose Merriman – Isabel

Samantha Guadagnini – Kate

Teresa Treis – Teresa

Maria Guadagnini – Maria

Anna Dow – Anna

Fiona Merriman – Fiona

Kaylie Vawter – Kaylie

Elizabeth Treis – Elizabeth

Emily Klein – Queen Victoria

According to Treis, the families and friends decided to put on the show to give area residents something fun to do.

"We also love acting and singing," he said. "Last year, we put on a musical. It went so well, we wanted to do another this year."

Treis said event-goers are in for a treat.

"When you think of a kids production, you think not very good quality," he said. "But these kids, oh my God, they knock my socks off."

Treis said directing the cast has been fun.

"I've been so enjoying directing these kids," he said, noting he'll also be among the cast. "It is so good for the community and kids to have something to do."

"It's going to be a lot of fun," Treis said.

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Roger Harnack, Publisher

Roger Harnack is co-owner and publisher of Free Press Publishing. An award-winning journalist, photographer, editor and publisher who grew up in Eastern Washington, he's one of only two Washington state journalists ever to receive the international Golden Quill for editorial/commentary writing. Roger is committed to preserving local media, and along with it, a local voice for Eastern Washington.

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