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Dwarves, dragon to join CV students for ‘Hobbit’

Gandalf the Grey, played by Nathan Webb, helps Bilbo Baggins, played by Jacob Madison, on his great adventure in the Central Valley High School production of
Treva Lind Correspondent
Gandalf the Grey, played by Nathan Webb, helps Bilbo Baggins, played by Jacob Madison, on his great adventure in the Central Valley High School production of

Discover how a character called Bilbo Baggins finds a ring of power during Central Valley High School’s “The Hobbit” beginning Thursday.

This drama stays true to J.R.R. Tolkien’s prelude book to “The Lord of the Rings” series, said director Michael Muzatko. Thirty-five students are involved in this production that also will feature three 14-foot troll puppets and a crew-constructed Smaug the dragon with a 35-foot wingspan.

“This picks up before ‘The Lord of the Rings’ series,” Muzatko said. “You meet all the characters who are principals in ‘The Lord of the Rings.’ This generation, because the movie trilogy came out, are actually very much into ‘The Hobbit.’ The films got them interested in the books. Tolkien created an entire world for this story.”

With a 7:30 p.m. curtain time, performances will run Thursday, Friday and next Saturday and Nov. 15 through 17. General seating tickets cost $7 at the door of the theater, 821 S. Sullivan Ave.

Baggins begins his adventure with Gandalf the Grey and the dwarves marching through Mirkwood forest. They meet up with the Elven Queen, trolls, Smaug, Gollum and many others.

Main cast members include: Jacob Madison as Bilbo Baggins; Nathan Webb as Gandalf; Steven Schneidmiller as Thorin Oakenshield; Rachelle Parsloe as Elven Queen; and Jason Walker as Gollum.

The troll puppets were created by local actor and artist Patrick Treadway, and students in the technical theater class made Smaug the dragon come to life.

U-Hi drama season starts with ‘Proportions’

University High School students also will launch their theater season next week with “Epic Proportions.”

Set in the 1930s, the comedy tells the story of two brothers, Benny and Phil, who go to the Arizona desert to be extras in a biblical epic movie. With a quick turn of events, Phil finds himself directing the movie with Benny starring in it. More complications arise as both Phil and Benny fall in love with Louise, the assistant director in charge of extras.

Along the way, there are gladiator battles, the Ten Plagues and a cast of thousands portrayed by four other actors.

The 7:30 p.m. performances run Thursday, Friday and next Saturday and Nov. 15 through 17 with doors opening at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the theater, 12420 E. 32nd Ave.

Cast members include Brett Vlahovich as Phil; Patrick Wolfe as Benny; and Tori Head as Louise. Additional actors are Jon Bademian, Spence Watson, Alice Campbell, C.J. Needham, Shane Hetrick, Philip Hermann, Kyle Sweet and Breanna Duffy. The director is Briane Green.

‘Laffing’ opens Tuesday at EVHS

Audience members who enjoy comedy have yet another theater option with East Valley High School’s “Laffing Room Only.”

This farce, written by Tim Kelly, starts Tuesday and runs Thursday, Friday and next Saturday. All performances are at 7 p.m. at EVHS, 15711 E. Wellesley Ave. Tickets cost $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and students without an ASB card, and are free for students with an ASB card.

Among “Laffing Room Only” cast members are seniors Jared Jolstead, Katelyn Moore and Anthony VanDuzee; juniors Krisztina Mendez and Natashea Shove; sophomores Tonya Strong, Kiersten Gray and Hayley Roszina; and freshmen Jabob Carruthers and Ian Deroetth.

Adams’ Janelle Stolp honored for literacy work

Adams Elementary School first-grade teacher Janelle Stolp has received statewide recognition for her work to improve student literacy. She was recently honored with the Literacy Instructor of the Year award by the Washington Organization for Reading Development.

The Literacy Award recognizes organizations, institutions and individuals who have made significant literacy contributions at the state level. Stolp was honored last spring by the Spokane Area Council, which made her eligible for consideration for the award.

She is being honored, in part, for her many years of involvement with the Whitworth Writing Rally, which began more than 20 years ago. During the rally, children hear from a children’s author, participate in a writing activity with a volunteer teacher and create an original book.

Stolp has also facilitated literacy through her reading instruction and by serving as a Central Valley lab classroom teacher for several years. She has been a teacher in Central Valley schools since 1983.