'The Phantom Tollbooth' takes wordplay to new heights

Wolfpack Theatre Co. presents “The Phantom Tollbooth” at 6:33 p.m. Thursday and Friday, April 18 and 19, in the Wolfpack Theatre at Glacier High School.

Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for children, students, and senior citizens and are available at the high school main office and Photo Video Plus, or at the door if still available.

Puns and wordplay are plentiful in this adventurous modern fairytale by Susan Nanus based on the classic children’s novel by Norton Juster. The play follows the story of Milo, a young girl who discovers that no amount of toys can suppress her boredom. After placing a coin in a mysterious and magical tollbooth, Milo takes her toy car on the ride of a lifetime into the Land Beyond. She sets off on an incredible journey when she is dispatched to save the princesses of Rhyme and Reason who were banished from the kingdom. Along the way she battles the Demons of Ignorance, the Word Snatchers and the Census Takers while reuniting feuding brother Kings who rule over the cities of Dictionopolis and Digitopolis.

With fanciful and clever characters, “The Phantom Tollbooth” will charm the young and the young at heart.

“I love this script. It is full of puns and fun, and reminds us all that learning never ends and can be fun,” said director Greg Adkins. “It was a favorite of our family, especially my oldest son. I love that it is an ensemble cast with challenging roles, props and costumes. Anyone who loves to be entertained with a wholesome family show should plan to attend.”

This production is presented by the Glacier High School Acting and Stage Production Class. This class is one of seven classes offered as part of the school’s theater curriculum. In Acting and Stage Production students hone their character portrayal skills in a classroom setting and then participate in a full theater production, which allows the students to experiment with acting techniques and creating characters.

The cast includes Akela Hammond, Alexa Schmalz, Ammon Hill, Asher Robinson, Ashley Bruce, Avrey Mele, Christopher Breese, Drew Fitzgerald, Ellie Haag, Jaclyn Green, Kassidy Murphy, Kjell Sandler, Landon Mumm, Lauren Kohler, McKenzie Moore, Olivia Baker, Ty Espeseth and Victoria Kramer.

Supporting the cast behind the scenes is the stage and technical crew under the direction of Sara Menssen, including Dresden Allred, Sydney Fletcher, Nick Jaffe, Tylin Hartman, Mayleen Hoover, Brooklyn Lamers, Taylor Powell, Alyssa Roberts, Alexa Wilton and James Wheeler.