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Davenport Junior Theatre presents "Treasure Island"
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By Jonathan Turner, jturner@qconline.com
By Jonathan Turner, jturner@qconline.com
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As America's second oldest children's theater, DavenportJunior Theatre now is presenting the 1883 pirate classic "Treasure Island" for the first time. "When deciding what shows to do this season, we knew we wanted an adventure," Daniel Sheridan, DJT artistic director, said this week. "It struck me that 'Treasure Island' hadnever been performed by DJT. After reading many versions of the show, we finallysettled on a great adaptation by Rex Stephenson." The show, set in a late 19th-century single-room school, is brought to life by theimaginations of the kids in the show and in the audience, Mr. Sheridan said. The school room becomesan adventure on the high seas. Founded in 1951, Davenport Junior Theatre is the second-oldest children's theater in the U.S. Classes and camps are offered year-round in theater and dance tostudents ages 3 to 18. "Treasure Island" is part of the DJT Mainstage Series, which hires professionals indesign and direction to work with the kids. One of those professionals is TomTaylor, the show's director. "It's a clever adaptation," Mr. Taylor said. "You get a little youthful fun mixed withthe dangerous adventure you expect from its well-known title. It's quite an arc." A graduate of the University of Iowa, Mr. Taylor has directed 10-minute plays and readings of original works in Iowa City, but this is his first time atthe helm of a full-scale production.He has appeared as an actor inproductions at Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse, the QC Theatre Workshop (most recently seen in "Private Eyes") and NewGround Theatre. "I'm having a blast," said Sam Jones, senior at Assumption High School and one ofthe leads in "Treasure Island." "Tom is so passionate about the play and really forcesus to think about our characters. You can tell he is an actor too." "I'm blown away by the kids' professionalism and willingness to try anything," Mr.Taylor said. "Their work and dedication tops most adults I know. It is an honor tolead them." DJT presents the 70-minute adventure Saturday at1 and 4 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m., and the same times on Saturday, Feb. 23 and Sunday, Feb. 24. Tickets are$5 for anyone 3 years and older. For more information, visit DavenportJuniorTheatre.org. 
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Today is Saturday, May 25, the 145th day of 2013. There are 220 days left in the year.
1863 -- 150 years ago: The annual review of the fire department of this city took placeyesterday and made a fine showing with machines and hose carts in tip-top order.
1888 -- 125 years ago: Last night's prayer meeting at Central Presbyterian Church wascalled off due to water in the basement, residue of last week's flood.
1913 -- 100 years ago: The junior class of Rock Island High School will hold a riverexcursion on the steamer St. Paul next Tuesday.
1938 -- 75 years ago: The 75th Anniversary of the Rock Island Arsenal today finds thenation's largest ordinance manufacturing plant filling many important orders for the army.
1963 -- 50 years ago: Miss Patrice Daly, Rock Island, a senior at Rock Island HighSchool, won second place in the recent state public speaking contest held in Peoria underthe auspices of the Knights of Pythias.
1988 -- 25 years ago: Hampton's sesquicentennial committee and the Hampton HistoricalSociety have scheduled a full slate of activities, which will be held throughout the year, to celebrate the village's 150th birthday. The first celebration will be the Memorial Dayprogram at 10 a.m. May 30, at the Brettun and Black Store Museum on River Road. Therewill be a sesquicentennial display.
(More History)