After a two-year hiatus, Missoula Children’s Theater returns to Pacific Beach Elementary School with a new production of “Johnny Appleseed.” Missoula Children’s Theater (MCT), based out of Missoula, Mont., arrives at PBES on Monday, Nov. 28 for a week of auditions and casting, rehearsals, and final community productions of “Johnny Appleseed” on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 2:30 and 5:30 p.m.

MCT arrives at each school with two professional directors, costumes, and sets to start the six-day, intense theater experience. Day one is auditions and casting. Days 2-5 are rehearsing lines, song numbers, and choreography. Day six is the community performance with full makeup and costuming. Each production also selects students as assistant directors.

MCT is no stranger to Pacific Beach schools. In January 2023, PB Middle School will host MCT’s “King Arthur’s Quest” and in April 2023, Crown Point Junior Music Academy will perform MCT’s “Rumpelstilskin.”

MCT traces its serendipitous roots back to the summer of 1970 when Jim Caron, an unemployed actor, was searching for a mission in life, on his way from Chicago to a friend’s wedding in Oregon his aging Volkswagen van broke down. The nearest service station was – fortunately and fatefully – in Missoula.

While waiting for the van to be repaired, Caron noticed an audition poster for “Man of La Mancha.” Just for fun, he auditioned and was cast in the role of “Sancho.” He developed an instant and lasting friendship with Don Collins (the actor playing Don Quixote), and together they organized a company of adults to perform plays for children on a make-shift stage in a local movie theatre. The plays, as well as the idea of developing live theatre for kids, were well-received in Missoula. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Admission of $5 (ages 5-13) and $10 (14 years of age and older) will be charged at the door.