Beanie's invention goes hilariously haywire in Flathead Theatre's new play
Shelbie Guckenberg as Candy, Jade Dickerson as West, Emme Schow as Queen, and Domminik Griffith as Beanie in Flathead High School’s Theatre Co.’s production of “Beanie and the Bamboozled Book Machine.”
The Flathead High School Theatre Department embarks on a fantastical adventure in the children’s favorite, “Beanie and the Bamboozling Book Machine” Jan.15 and 16 at 6:27 p.m. in the David M. Hashley Theatre at Flathead High School.
Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens. Tickets are available at the FHS Main Office, Photo Video Plus and, if still available, at the door.
Kid-inventor and science wiz, Beanie Boren, doesn’t like to read. His solution is to the school’s reading contest is to invent a reading machine which can read three books at once. Part computer, part mini video cam and part a contraption of his own design, Beanie is sure to win first prize at the science fair. But when Beanie turns on the machine something goes terribly wrong. Out pops the witches from Snow White, Hansel and Gretel, and The Wizard of Oz … each ready to wreak havoc! Beanie must enlist the characters from each of the stories to help him catch the witches and return them to the machine.
“Beanie tries to avoid an obstacle and create an easy solution,” director Wendy Putzler said. “Instead of easing his problems, he makes them worse and discovers that embracing the tasks we don’t enjoy can bring great fun and joy.”
Written by Bob May, Christopher Tibbetts and Roy C. Booth, and presented in the story theater style, “Beanie and the Bamboozling Book Machine” is family oriented, fast paced and filled with familiar characters. It is a contemporary play that will delight young and old theater-goers alike.
“We want all children to come and enjoy this show and hopefully, be part of the experience,” Putzler said. “There will be some audience interaction and this show is a great show for school-age children to enjoy!”
During the day, Acting 3 will take the show on tour to several elementary schools where they will perform using techniques from Story Theatre, an art form created by Paul Sills and Viola Spolin. Students use their vocals, bodies and movement to change settings and separate spaces to tell fairy tales.
“Since Beanie must re-tell beloved fairy tales in order to “save the day’ we decided this was the best way to tell our story,” Putzler said.
This production is presented by the Acting 3 Class at Flathead High School. In Acting 3, students learn and practice a variety of theater skills and study the relationship between the play’s themes and the actions of the characters within the play. Through a full length production, the students explore the process of bringing a script to life, including all design aspects, rehearsal techniques as well as other production elements.
“Acting 3 students tackle elements of design. They write lighting and sound cues, create set, make-up, and costume designs, and also the publicity ideas for the show,” Putzler said. “This show has been great fun and should prove to be fun for all audiences!”
The cast of “Beanie and the Bamboozling Book Machine” includes Cahira McDowell, Domminick Griffith, Emme Schow, Shelbie Guckenberg, Jade Dickerson, Sean Struble, Sami Keator-Holt, Rylie Martin, Matt Nairn, Angeliegh Storr, Jazlyn LaPierre, Ashley Denison and Kimberly Hammond.
Behind the scenes Kirya Henderson, Rebekah Hopp, Lydia Wood, Madison Byrd, Kay Gibbs, Connor Adcox, Mason Molter, Aria Scovel and Rylee Burkhart make up the stage, lighting and sound crew.