'The Unravelling'
Flathead High School Theatre will present “The Unravelling” at 6:27 p.m. Oct. 26, 27 and 28 in the David M. Hashley Theatre at Flathead High School in Kalispell.
Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for children, students and senior citizens. Tickets are available at the FHS Main Office, Photo Video Plus and, if still available, at the door.
In a New York City fabric shop, a dying mother challenges her daughters to weave her their best tale using no inspiration other than pieces of cloth. As the bolts of fabric are unraveled and stories are unfolded, the shop fills with imaginative creations taking the characters and the audience on a journey from childhood to the hard reality of adulthood.
“This is primarily a story of three sisters saying goodbye to their mother,” said Director Jennifer Stebbins-Han. “Each sister tells a fantastic tale that takes us deep into their unique imaginations and each sister emerges with a stronger identity. This is also a ‘story about stories’ and the power we each have to be storytellers ourselves. The lesson, I believe, is that we grow stronger together if we allow others to truly know us and if we listen in return. I also hope people are inspired to use their imaginations!”
Written in an ensemble storytelling style, the play’s world is both fantastical enough to be enjoyed by the young and real enough to resonate with adults.
“I spent quite a bit of time searching for a script that would allow for a lot of creativity for costumes and set pieces but that was also a meaningful and relatable story for the actors to tell,” said Stebbins-Han. “We have also spent a lot of time incorporating music and sounds into the show and I think it enhances the experience. There is also a lot of fabric involved, from 60-foot curtains to puppets to ocean waves.”
Unique to FHS Theatre, the cast of “The Unravelling” is entirely composed of females.
“This is the first all-female cast in quite some time and definitely my first time directing one,” said Stebbins-Han. “I have to say it’s a wonderful process. It’s a whole different experience for me and I think the actors, too; to walk into a space that is all girl and work out our possibilities there. It’s really wonderful seeing old friendships continue but especially to watch new ones form. These girls have been 100-percent supportive of one another and it has been clear from day one that each girl wants to create a magical show that they can feel proud of. I feel extremely lucky to be directing this cast with this show. It doesn’t feel like work at all.”
The cast of “The Unravelling” includes Naesha Johnson, Emme Schow, Charcy Ricks-Bullock, Annie Jones, Moriah Schutt, Aubry Call, Hadasa Wagoner, Victoria White, Hannah Mriss, Sydney Harp, Marie Holden and Shelbie Guckenberg.
Behind the scenes, Grace Burtsfield, Keith Ort, Dade Wendt, Kendra Call, Liam Stoddard, Caleb Way and Connor Bullins make up the stage, sound and lighting crew.