The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), confronts her ledger’s darker parts when a dangerous conspiracy with ties to her past arises in this new Marvel Studios’ action-packed spy thriller. Pursued by a force that will stop at nothing to bring her down, Natasha must deal with her history as a spy and the broken relationships left in her wake long before she became an Avenger.

Rotten Tomatoes critics rate this film as 81% favorable, and the audience gives it a 92%. It is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence/action, some language, and thematic material. This film will run August 6-10 and 15-17 (2 weeks) on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 3 p.m., and Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. Run time is 2 hrs, 21 minutes.

The Emperor’s New Clothes – Missoula Children’s Theatre

Pre-registration will be open August 2-6 for children to participate in this year’s play. More information, and the registration form, are available on the theater website libertytheater.org or by emailing missoulachildrens@libertytheater.org or at the theater lobby on Tuesday or Wednesday from 3 to 5 p.m. There is no charge to participate. No experience or advanced preparation is necessary. Students, grades K-12, of any ability level, are encouraged to audition. The cast may include up to 50-60 children. Masks are required, and masks will be part of the costumes.

Pre-registration is required to give out information in advance, have the permission forms signed in advance, and be ready to start on Monday.

The first meeting will be an audition to choose roles, on Monday, August 9, from 10 a.m. to noon, at the Liberty Theater in Dayton. Those auditioning should arrive by 10 a.m. and plan to stay for the entire two hours. Some cast members will be asked to stay for a 2-hour rehearsal after a 30-minute noon lunch break. Please bring a lunch.

Among the roles to be cast are the Emperor; ManyPenny and the Money Council; the Royal Scholars Roxy and Red; Kings, Queens; Gem and the Royal Jewelers; Boots and the Royal Cobblers; Lid and the Royal Hatters; Stitch and the Royal Tailors; and the Royal Silkworms. Assistant Directors (some of the older students) will also be cast to aid in rehearsals throughout the week and take on essential backstage responsibilities.

The Missoula Children’s Theatre touring productions arrive complete with costumes, scenery, props, and makeup. MCT Tour Actor/Directors will conduct rehearsals throughout the week from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day, except the youngest will not have to stay for the afternoon rehearsals. Please bring a sack lunch. There are also optional workshops after rehearsal on three afternoons, for Acting or Behind the Scenes, described in the advance information.

The Emperor's New Clothes live performance will be presented on Friday and Saturday evening, August 13 & 14, at 7 p.m., at the theater. The Missoula Children’s Theatre residency in Dayton is part of the Liberty Theater’s Summer Cultural Enrichment Program (SCEP). It is made possible by generous support from Dayton Kiwanis, Dayton Lions Club, Skyline Juniors, The Club plus Delta, Warren Community Action Fund, Dayton/Columbia County Fund, and INNOVIA Foundation. The audience will be required to wear masks at all times, and there will be no concessions served for these live performances, so there will be no distancing requirements.