Family all in same boat with ‘Jolly Rogger’

Back in April 2005, the Valley Verve profiled a family of four who all participate in the arts. We checked back with them and found they’re still all in the same boat, but now it’s a pirate ship.

All four members of the Boles family are involved in Theater Arts for Children’s summer production, “Jolly Rogger.” Ken Boles, his wife, Jill, and their two children, Sean and Erica are helping more than 20 cast and crew members bring the pirate story to life.

The play is about a boy who joins a band of pirates to search for his father who went missing at sea. There are lots of laughs and some singing and dancing.

Sean Boles, 18, plays the part of Alistair Cookie, the narrator of the show while Erica Boles, 17, delivers lines as Dirty Dina, “Dirty Dina I be, and if it’s games ye want, a playing or a song of the sea, ye best come to me.”

Jill Boles will be making the costumes and Ken Boles, the theater’s vice president, will be showcasing his writing abilities and directorial debut as the play’s author and director.

He was planning to write a children’s book about pirates, and had already done plenty of research. “It’s different. It’s original,” he said, “It’s a play for all ages. I think it teaches as well as entertains. There are bits and pieces of history scattered throughout the story… all the pirate terms are real…the set is wonderful.”

The set is one of the most elaborate that the theater has done. Ken Boles designed and built it with Michael Dach, the theater’s advertising coordinator and main carpenter.

“The script is cool. We haven’t done anything like it before,” Dach said, “and we wanted to add something more with the set.” They’re expecting there to be a wow factor when the curtains open.

Connor Harrison, 12, plays Jolly Rogger. It is his first lead role. “The show,” he said, “is very funny.” His younger sister Paige, 9, plays Polly Cracker. It is her first speaking role.

Another play that Ken Boles has written, “Tikki Tikki Tembo,” is a Chinese fairy tale and will be in next season’s line-up. As for “Jolly Rogger,” the theme, if any, would be about the importance of family.

Ken Boles is grateful for the support of his family, and enjoys working with them. On their own or together, they will all continue to express their talents.