BY KAREN BOSSICK
See the story of a girl who joins a wolfpack, watch a new twist on Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson and reacquaint yourself with Shakespeare’s story of sibling confusion in “Twelfth Night” when The Liberty Theatre Company presents three unique theatre productions for kids.
+ “WOLF/GIRL” takes the stage at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, as a play reading. Funded through a grant procured by the Wood River Wolf Project, it tells the story of Maddy, who runs away from her hometown bullies and joins up with a wolfpack. The longer she stays, the more she identifies with her new family. But she eventually realizes she must face her past and return home in order to find peace.
The story, which reconstructs the werewolf story was written by Boisean Heidi Kraay. Director Tiara Thompson, also of Boise, will direct actors from TLTC and others. Tickets are Pay What You Feel with all the proceeds benefitting the Wood River Wolf Project’s implementation of nonlethal strategies to protect wolves and coyotes.
“One of the jobs of human beings is that we are the creature capable of bearing witness to the beauty of the earth on which we live. That’s one of the great gifts that comes with consciousness, and I take that job seriously,” said Thompson. “ ‘Wolf/Girl’ shares a beautiful story of interconnectedness and reconciliation that I hope can be our future,” said Tompson.
The play is recommended for those in middle school and up.
+ “THE CHRONICLES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES & DOCTOR WATSON” will come to the stage at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17, thanks to a partnership between Boise’s Idaho Shakespeare Festival and The Liberty Theatre Company.
The free play presents a new twist on a classic as the iconic duo must combine their wits to solve what could be their greatest case yet. The play is presented by Idaho Shakespeare Festival’s School of Theater touring company and is particularly recommended for children in kindergarten through sixth grade.
+ “TWELFTH NIGHT” –Shakespeare’s comedy about mistaken identities and love—will take place at 6:30 p.m. Friday April 4. This partnership between The Liberty Theater Company and Idaho Shakespeare Festival’s Shakespearience touring company brings to life the story of Orsino, the Duke of Illyria and his deep love.
Then, of course, there’s the shipwrecked Viola who, separated from her twin brother Sebastian, disguises herself as a man, enters Orsino’s service and is ordered to woo Olivia for him. Things get complicated with Olivia falls in love with Viola, who has renamed herself Cesario, and Cesario falls in love with Orsino. Add the spectre of Sebastian falling head over heels with Olivia….and you get the picture
This free performance is recommended for students grade six through 12.
These three partnerships align with The Liberty Theater Company’s larger mission to bring educational programming to the youth of the Wood River Valley.
"After our presentations of Idaho Shakespeare Festival's touring kids shows last year, parents kept seizing my arm saying, 'When are you going to offer more children's programming?! There's so little going on for kids in Hailey.' Said Naomi McDougall Jones, the theater company’s executive and artistic director. “Well, I am absolutely thrilled that TLTC is able to offer three children's shows this spring---and for free or Pay-What-You-Feel!"
Tickets for all three shows, including the two free ones, can be reserved at https://www.libertytheatrecompany.org/.