"Stone Soup" brings 75 students to the PHS stage
The children's musical "Stone Soup" features 75 K-8 students, including the vegetables pictured above. (Karen Lewing photo)
“Stone Soup,” an original children’s theatre musical, returns to the boards this weekend for two public performances on the Polson High School stage at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 28-March 1.
The show features 75 Polson School District performers, grades K-12, with several PHS students playing lead roles and assistant directing to earn SERVE credit towards scholarships.
Port Polson Players co-producer Karen Lewing notes that weather complicated rehearsals for this year’s production, with a cold spell followed by a snow storm and hazardous road conditions.
“We've been having a rough time coordinating rehearsals because of the weather,” she said. “Several parents had a rough time getting their kids to rehearsals because of the snow, and I haven't had a chance to work all the costumes as we had to dig our warehouse out of drifts.”
But in true theatre fashion, she vows, “The show will be ready in the nick of time!”
“Stone Soup” is something of a milestone for the Port Polson Players, now in their 50th season. Karen and her husband and co-producer Neal Lewing initiated the children’s aspect of their unique three-tiered performing arts program during the theatre’s 10th season in 1985.
The Lewings have written seven original musicals for student performers, adapting classic children’s stories into hour-long shows. This year’s show marks their 40th such production for the Polson School District, and the fifth mounting of “Stone Soup.” The cast, as has been the case for many years now, features children of former child performers.
The story of Stone Soup was first published in 1720 by a French woman, Madame de Noyer, although oral versions of the folk tale have been reported as far back as the 16th century. It tells the tale of a poor soldier who convinces a town of uncaring souls that, if they can all cooperate and work together, they can create something for the benefit of all. First, though, one must collect just the right stone.
The Players’ version of the story takes place at the end of the American Revolutionary War. “The setting might be different, but the message of caring, sharing, cooperation and love are still the same,” say the Lewings.
The delightful show is accompanied by Cathy Gillhouse on piano.
No reservations are needed, and tickets are available 40 minutes before the curtain rises at 7 p.m. Tickets are $6 for adults, $5 for senior citizens and students, with a family ticket (two adults and two kids) for $20.