Page 16 - Newsletter_Spring_2019

Houlton Actors Shine in “Tuck Everlasting”

By Joseph Cyr ’89, Houlton Pioneer Times – Reprinted with permission

Would immortality be a blessing or a curse? at
was the question posed during Houlton Middle-
High School’s performance of “Tuck Everlasting: e
Musical.”

e stage of Houlton Community Arts Center
was transformed into the wooded forest of the
fi ctional town of Treegap, New Hampshire, for four
performances November 15-18. e Friday night
showing had to be postponed to Saturday evening due
to a storm.

“ is show was unique as it is fairly new and unknown
to many, specifi cally in Houlton,” said director Jason
Anderson. “We had no preconceived notions of how
Houlton Middle-High School students put on four performances of
“Tuck Everlasting” November 15-18 at the Houlton Community Arts this show would be received by the public, and we
Center. Acting out a scene in the yearly musical during the Saturday didn’t have to compete with any reputation that the
performance are Grace Kafferlin `23 and Sidney Peabody ’21. (photo
courtesy of Joseph Cyr ’89, Houlton Pioneer Times) show had already. I think that was liberating for the
kids as they could approach the theatrical presentation
and development of their characters in a very personal way.”

Featuring a large combination cast of students from both the middle and high schools, the show had several
performers “sharing” characters in the play, with actors swapping out roles and diff erent people playing diff erent
parts depending on the performance.

“Once again, I’m incredibly pleased with the outcome,” Anderson said. “I’ve been working hard to create an
environment where my high school students are providing more direct mentoring to my middle school students,
and in many cases, this mentorship is providing a great experience to students at both levels.”

“Tuck Everlasting: e Musical,” told the story of a young girl named Winnie Foster, played by Ellie Grant ’22 and
Grace Kaff erlin ’23, who meets a young boy named “Tuck” (Sidney Peabody ’21) while exploring a wooded area.
Winnie, who wishes for a life beyond her small home,
learns that the Tuck family has lived for over 100 years
and cannot die.

Jonathan Smith ’20 gave a rousing performance as
the “Man in the Yellow Suit,” an immoral person
who wishes to exploit the Tuck’s fountain of youth
for personal profi t. Jack Hodgkins ’25, in his fi rst
theatrical appearance, was a scene stealer throughout
the show for his comedic performance of “Constable
Joe”, the local police offi cer tasked with fi nding Winnie
after she goes missing.

Other cast members included Mia Findlater ’20 and
Isabel Cyr ’21 as Mother; Mariah Peterson ’23 and
Natalie Delucca ’23 as Nana; Emmalyne Drake ’21 as Jonathan Smith `20, center, played the role of “Man in the Yellow Suit”
for Houlton Middle-High School’s production of “Tuck Everlasting”.
Miles Tuck; Tess Solomon ’19 as Mae Tuck; Christian Performing with Smith are Lucy Hebert `24, left, and Mariah Peterson
`23. (photo courtesy of Joseph Cyr ’89, Houlton Pioneer Times)
www.houltonalumni.com PAGE 16