Jennifer Hawkins revels in her father’s stories of life at sea and dreams of having her own adventures.
When she comes into possession of a mysterious map, she eagerly sets off on the Hispaniola in search of long-lost treasure. But can she trust her new friend Long John Silver and his enigmatic crew, or will she find herself wrapped up in a game of piracy?
The Shenandoah Valley Governor’s School, in association with ShenanArts, presents a fresh and feminist adaptation of “Treasure Island.”
The new version of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel is written by Brit C. Ward and showcases treachery, swordfights and a race to uncover a hidden cache of gold. Ward’s play premiered at Theatre Ensemble Arts in Farmington, New Mexico, in 2022. The SVGS production will mark the Virginia and high school premieres of this adaptation.
“Treasure Island” will run January 23 to 26, 2025 at ShenanArts in Staunton. Performance times are: January 23 to 25 at 7 p.m. and January 26 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $12 per student, $17 per senior citizen and college student and $19 per adult. Some mild language and a fair amount of fighting and death closely aligns the production with a PG rating. Tickets are available online.
Directed by SVGS Theatre, Film and Communications Instructor Cassy Whitacre, “Treasure Island” features Sophia Donadio-Liendo as Jennifer Hawkins, Fish Trella-Luedtke as the silver-tongued Long John Silver, Joe Pincock as Captain Smollett, and Bella Klemm as the ambitious pirate Minerva. Ari Bennett, Luna Glass, Charlotte Hudson, Kevin McCoy, Abigail McGhee, Aiden McQuain, Liam Marrero-Cruz, Tia Miller, Violet Pence, Nathan Sprouse, Sophia Stamm, Jav Stell, Alexander Taylor-Smith, and Ryan Workman round out the crew of the Hispaniola and other memorable characters from the book. SVGS senior Will Otto is assistant directing, and STEM students Claire Griffin and Gracie Losh will run sound and lights.
The cast and crew include students from Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County.
“Treasure Island” highlights fight choreography by Larry Friedland. The design and production team includes Dawn Davis, Kate Delaney, Cori McDaniel (SVGS class of 2010), Susan Polly, Jennifer Reed (SVGS parent) and Susan Vass.
“Treasure Island” is presented by special arrangement with Brit C. Ward.
ShenanArts is at 300 Churchville Ave., Staunton.
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Rebecca Barnabi
