LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --
Some of Luke's youngest Thunderbolts performed "Treasure Island" July 18 at the Luke Air Force Base Youth Center with the assistance of Missoula Children's Theatre performance troop.
Performing the original adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's novel, a young Jim Hawkins, played by Karlin Walker, lives with his mother and six sisters on a seaside village off the coast of Maine in 1782 as the American Revolution draws near its victory for the colonies. Hawkins is a mischievous young lad, with a group of misfits as pals, who discovers a treasure map and coincidentally meets the legendary pirate Long John Silver.
Longing for adventure, Hawkins joins Long John Silver and his hilarious and unsavory band of pirates to hunt for the treasure hidden on Skull Island. Driven by the desire to free their families of the burden of work, Hawkins and the boys bid their families farewell, and guided by a flock of gulls, head out to sea not knowing the betrayal that Long John Silver has up his sleeves.
This was an amazing opportunity for children at Luke to spend time during their summer break participating in the performing arts, learning about the theatre and putting on a performance for their parents and relatives.
"I'm excited for this," said Master Sgt. Percel Crudup, 56th Medical Operations Squadron flight chief of surgical services. "I know they put a lot of work into this. My niece is only 6 but she has butterflies. I'm excited to support her."
Auditions began July 14 at the 56th Force Support Squadron Youth Center with every child receiving a part at the end of auditions. Throughout the week practices were held every day and included dancing, singing and stage preparations for the big performance held at the youth center auditorium.
The children performed in full costume with a beautiful stage prop of the ocean behind them. As the story progressed through song and dance, the stage changed into a ship then into a jungle where the final lesson was learned about friendship and a treasure was found that would be reward for all.
"It's really cute," said Master Sgt. Theresa Ray, 56th Civil Engineer Squadron F-35 project manager. "It's something for them to do during the summer and it gives them a chance to make new friends."