LaPorte High School will be overtaken by a band of scurvy pirates the first week of February, as LaPorte Service League opens its 81st play production.
Thousands of schoolchildren from throughout LaPorte County - and even into Porter County - will be drawn into the magical world of Pirates! – directed by Nanda Danitschek. The production is managed by Kathy Sommer, who wrote the song “Imagine the Possibilities” to close the play on a happy high note.
Pirates! begins as two brothers, their “perfect” sister and awfully smelly nanny happen upon a cave that is rumored to be visited by pirates every 100 years. After the brothers discover they have come to the seashore on the very day of the dimwitted pirates’ and their malicious captain’s return, a spectacle of chase and folly ensues. It is an action-packed tale with memorable characters and a great message about working together against adversity toward a common goal.
Danitschek has enjoyed performing in many Service League plays, as well as at LaPorte Little Theatre. Of Pirates! she says, “There is no better audience than children. What a gift to be able to bring imagination and magic into the hearts of the children in our community! My hope is to relay that everyone can be strong and brave no matter who or what they are. You just have to stop, think, and imagine the possibilities!”
The play is a visual treat, featuring colorful costumes designed by Jan Martinsen and created by League members. The elaborate sets require multiple hours of design and building, as envisioned by Ramona Komasinski with support from some special husbands. An actual pirate ship will be the centerpiece of this year’s action.
League members serving as actresses include: Miss Smedly – Ashlie Otis; Jennifer – Lisa Denger; Lee – Deb Ault; Dan the fisherboy – Shelia Saunders; Pirate Cap’n – Nanda Danitschek; Smee – Claudia Winter; Mike – Beth Mann; Ike – Julie Long; Tiny – Rosie Flitter; Smitty – Mary Ellen McCain.
The play will be presented for schoolchildren at 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday through Wednesday February 2-4, and on at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday Feb. 5. Additional shows may be added as more classes register.
In addition to grade schools, preschool classes, home-schooled students, and groups of younger children are welcome. Educational packets are put together by Service League members Julie Pitman and Jan Yandt, which follow the state standards and are sent home with the teachers and students the day they attend the performance.
Adults also are encouraged to attend the Sunday, February 1 dress rehearsal at 1 p.m., or the Saturday, February 7 closing performance at 9:30 a.m. Suggested donation is $1 for adults. Charge for the children who attend is still just 50 cents.
On February 1 other special events will be held, including a Super Snack Sale of baked goods and snacks, and recognition of the winners of the “toy contest.” League members also will display panels of a new banner providing a visual history of the organization.
The LaPorte Service League play is just one of several ongoing volunteer projects that the nonprofit group contributes to the community. The organization was founded by Hallie Fox in 1932, and the first play, Cinderella, was performed in 1934. The annual production is a year-long project, and each of the active members is required to spend at least 15 hours working on the event.
Other League projects include providing dental education presentations and tutoring for area students, bell ringing for Salvation Army, and deliveries for Meals on Wheels.
For more information, log on to www.laporteserviceleague.com or checkout the Facebook page.