Moana, Maui, Tamatoa, Te Fiti and the rest of the characters made famous by the 2016 Disney movie will be coming to the local stage this week with Philomath Middle School students to perform four shows.
A musical adaptation of the popular animated film, the performances will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday along with a 1 p.m. matinee on Saturday. Tickets for all seats are $7 at the door.
Gallery: ‘Moana Jr.’ Tea Party (March 9, 2023)
A collection of photos from Philomath Middle School’s “Moana Jr.” Tea Party on March 9 in the high school auditorium.
The coming-of-age story follows the strong-willed Moana as she sets sail across the Pacific to save her village and discover the truth about her heritage. Moana and the legendary demigod, Maui, embark on an epic journey of self-discovery and camaraderie as both learn to harness the power that lies within.
Shannon Webb, middle school band teacher who co-directs the play with Jolene Latz and Katrina Kildea, said the large number of students that chose to participate is nice to see post-COVID.
“It’s nice to have one that’s back in its regular time in the winter when the majority of the kids can participate,” she said.
The play features an A cast and a B cast. For example, Brielle Colvin plays the title character in the A cast and Bailey Wilhelm performs in the same role in the B cast.
“It’s gives more opportunities for kids so we can have two Moanas, two Mauis and two Tomatoas and everyone can participate and also have a larger part,” she said.
Practice for the play started in December about a week before the school district’s winter break. They picked it back up in January and since then have been practicing for about 2-1/2 hours Monday through Thursday.
“It’s been a fun time,” Webb said. “We even had a drama-thon this past weekend (March 3-4) from 12:30 when they got out of school on Friday until 9 o’clock at night and then back Saturday from 8:30 to 1. So basically they gave up a lot of their free time.”
The most challenging part of putting the play together, Webb said, came down to learning the songs and dance moves.
“We have some intense choreography,” Webb said. “Singing and dancing at the same time is always fun.”
A big part of the show relates to visuals and Webb mentioned the skills of the production’s two costume directors — Linda Skaar and Cheryl Anderton.
“They are the best, like, if you look at Te Fiti, that was made from scratch, it’s great,” Webb said.
The group provided a glimpse into the play on March 9 during the Moana Jr. Tea Party in the high school auditorium. Webb said they were overwhelmed with the number of people in attendance.
Those who attended paid a $5 admission and enjoyed lemonade and cookies, various activities and condensed scenes and songs from the show.
“It’s a fundraiser and then it’s also a chance for younger audiences who don’t necessarily want to sit through the entire play to have a shorter, condensed version,” Webb said.
A Cast
Chief Ancestors — Charlotte Storch, Alyssa Lillie, Emmylou Cook. Young Moana — Aubrey Badizadegan. Moana — Brielle Colvin. Chief Tui — Gunner Eveland. Sina — Ella Hammonds. Hei Hei — Kaihautu Cropp. Pua — Lucy Thomas. Gramma Tala — Emily Burner. Fisher 1 — Addison Rice. Fisher 2 — Elijah Arthurs. Maui — Meg Real. Gate Monster — Gabi Mollova. Tamatoa — Zaynab Plaire. Left Claw — Katriina Peltonaki. Right Claw — Mirielle Cupp. Te Kā — Hannah Best. Te Fiti — Olivia Siler. Villagers — Deaglan Pindell, Brooke Griswold, Evan Bennett, Colton Ash, Maddox Olsen, Mirielle Cupp. Shark — Deaglan Pindell. Hawk — Maddox Olsen. Bug — Elijah Arthurs.
Ocean Ensemble — Bailey Wilhelm, Brookx Mooney, Emma Griswold, Alyssa Weeber, Lizzie Workman, Lora Theurer, Ruby Oster, Charlotte Wheeler, Rebekka Larsen, Ava Oster, Lexie Davis.
Shiny Ensemble — Zaynab Plaire, Bekah Workman, Katriina Peltonaki, Mirielle Cupp, Ashlyn Pike, Makayla Nelsen, Poe Gudge, Eden Phelps, Mikaiah Finley, Deaglan Pindell, Braeden Colvin, Konner Crabb, Lucy Thomas, Evan Bennett, Bob Avery, Olivia Siler, Veini Taunisila, Gunner Eveland.
Ancestor Ensemble — Charlotte Storch, Emmylou Cook, Alyssa Lillie, Ashlyn Pike, Bekah Workman, Bob Avery, Braeden Colvin, Gunner Eveland, Katriina Peltonaki, Konner Crabb, Olivia Siler, Lucy Thomas, Poe Gudge, Veini Taunisila, Zaynab Plaire, Sofia Nanoski.
Villagers/Dancers, Weavers and Fishers — Aaron Hazzard, Addison Rice, Brooke Griswold, Sofia Nanoski, Colton Ash, Deaglan Pindell, Eden Phelps, Elijah Arthurs, Evan Bennett, Gabi Mollova, Hannah Best, Maddox Olsen, Makayla Nelson, Mikaiah Finley, Mirielle Cupp, Olivia Siler, Brielle Colvin, Meg Real, Adilee Stewart.
B Cast
Chief Ancestors — Emily Burner, Ella Hammonds, Rebekka Larsen. Young Moana — Adilee Stewart. Moana — Bailey Wilhelm. Chief Tui — Bob Avery. Sina — Brookx Mooney. Hei Hei — Lora Theurer. Pua — Veini Taunisila. Gramma Tala — Alyssa Lillie. Fisher 1 — Cambria Braudrick. Fisher 2 — Mikaiah Finley. Maui — Lizzie Workman. Gate Monster — Poe Gudge. Tamatoa — Bekah Workman. Left Claw — Lexie Davis. Right Claw — Ashlynn Pike. Te Kā — Sofia Nanoski. Te Fiti — Alyssa Weeber. Villagers — Poe Gudge, Olivia Siler, Makayla Nelson, Aaron Hazzard, Elijah Arthurs, Eden Phelps. Shark — Deaglan Pindell. Hawk — Maddox Olsen. Bug — Elijah Arthurs.
Ocean Ensemble — Brielle Colvin, Addison Rice, Emma Griswold, Hannah Best, Meg Real, Kaihautu Cropp, Ruby Oster, Charlotte Wheeler, Emmylou Cook, Brooke Griswold, Charlotte Storch.
Shiny Ensemble — Zaynab Plaire, Bekah Workman, Katriina Peltonaki, Mirielle Cupp, Lexie Davis, Ashlyn Pike, Makayla Nelsen, Poe Gudge, Eden Phelps, Mikaiah Finley, Deaglan Pindell, Braeden Colvin, Konner Crabb, Lucy Thomas, Evan Bennett, Bob Avery, Olivia Siler, Veini Taunisila, Gunner Eveland.
Ancestor Ensemble — Emily Burner, Ella Hammonds, Rebekka Larsen, Ashlyn Pike, Bekah Workman, Bob Avery, Braeden Colvin, Gunner Eveland, Katriina Peltonaki, Konner Crabb, Olivia Siler, Lucy Thomas, Poe Gudge, Veini Taunisila, Zaynab Plaire, Sofia Nanoski.
Villagers/Dancers, Weavers and Fishers — Aaron Hazzard, Alyssa Weeber, Cambria Braudrick, Sofia Nanoski, Colton Ash, Deaglan Pindell, Eden Phelps, Elijah Arthurs, Evan Bennett, Gabi Mollova, Lexie Davis, Maddox Olsen, Makayla Nelson, Mikaiah Finley, Mirielle Cupp, Olivia Siler, Bailey Wilhelm, Lizzie Workman, Aubrey Badizadegan.
Production Team
Directors — Jolene Latz, Katrina Kildea, Shannon Webb. Costumes — Linda Skaar, Cheryl Anderton. Sets/Production — Mark Latz, Brian Skaar. Music — Nicole Stucki. Choreography — Lori Haslam. Technology — Thatcher Noel, Cooper Latz. High School Directors — Bailey Bell, Natalee Barton.