BAC Stage Kids bring 'Treasure Island' to town

Robert Louis Stevenson was an unsuccessful Scottish writer in his 30s when he saw his 12-year-old stepson drawing a map of an island. The map gave him the idea for a book and he wrote on it "Treasure Island." Later the map was lost, a tragedy to Stevenson.

From that map came the book "Treasure Island," surely every young readers' idea of pirates and buried treasure. In the 1880s, the book was first serialized in a children's magazine with modest success. When it was published in book form, it became a continuing success, with Jim Hawkins and Long John Silver and his parrot and his crutch as near-mythical figures. Pirates weren't around much in the 1880s, so Stevenson set "Treasure Island" in the 1700s, the era of Captain Kidd and Bluebeard.

"Treasure Island" is an adventure novel, a tale of "buccaneers and buried gold." An early coming-of-age story, it is one of the most frequently dramatized of all novels.

It's a complex story, but one that continues to intrigue young - and adult - readers.

Now the BAC Stage Kids present "Treasure Island." The cast is comprised entirely of children 11 to 15, who will play such roles as Jim, Long John Silver, Captain Smollet, The Pirate Crew and more as they swashbuckle their way into adventure.

Leading the cast and crew of over 30 local kids are newcomers Blake Feldman, 13, and Ryan Wasser, 11, as the brave Jim Hawkins; and Aiden Billharz, 15. as Long John Silver. Also featured are Karly Valen and Kaeli Biggin as Laurie, Christina Dietlein and Abby Pittman as Auntie Nan and more.

"These kids are a blast!" says Andie Anderson, Youth Theatre director of the BAC Stage Kids program. "They have such life and energy and talent. Audiences are sure to be enthralled and delighted by their incredible performances."

Directing "Treasure Island" is Jim Godwin, a newcomer to the BAC Stage Kids, but a veteran of the local theatrical community. Jim holds a bachelor's degree in theater from the University of San Francisco, where he appeared in many theatrical productions, both at the college and professionally. He began his theatrical career at 12 in the Reno-Carson area, and later went on to pursue an acting career in Los Angeles where he appeared in television commercials, several network pilots, and a lot of "bad" independent films.

"My soul is that much the richer for working with these talented kids, and I hope this show will be something you can enjoy with your relatives, and they will not be bored, but entertained, and maybe ... just maybe, laugh out loud and be proud," says director Godwin.

• Contact Sam Bauman at Sbauman@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1236.

Treasure Island

Cast List

Long John Silver Aiden Billharz

Jim Hawkins: Blake Feldman, Wm. Ryan Wasser

Laurie: Karly Valen, Kaeli Biggin

Auntie Nan: Abby Pittman, Christina Dietlein

Dr. Livesy: Grant Davis, Alicia Barchus

Captain Smollett: Julia Brown

Captain Bones: Dylan Shirey

Captain Flint: Jack Percival

Red Dog: Jasmine Munn, Heather Canfield

Morgan: Shaylee Nystrom

O'Brien: Emery Mulligan

Bonny: Kaydance Rogers

Calico Annie: Melody Ricketts, Mariah Whitcome

Belle Gunn: Venice Hayley

Mr. Poskett: Hannah Anthony

Mrs. Poskett: Shelby Darney

Mr. Grundy Alaina Pratt

Mrs. Grundy Laura Larson

From the Director: Jim Godwin

"My soul is that much the richer for working with these talented kids, and I hope this show will be something you can enjoy with your relatives and they will not be bored, but entertained, and maybe . . . just maybe, laugh out loud and be proud."

From the BAC Stage Kids Director: Andie Anderson

"These kids are a blast! They have such life and energy and talent. Audiences are sure to be enthralled and delighted by their incredible performances."