 The summer camp counselors turn into storytellers as they
try to correct the Disney-fied version of Pocahontas with a more
historically accurate tale. The result is Christian Youth Theater’s original
production that follows a Native American princess named Pocahontas (the
playful one) from her early youth to her saving of John Smith, her mingling
with the British in Jamestown, her marriage to John Rolfe, and her fateful trip
to England.
Lindsay Peck and Savannah Montgomery play the
“Little Pocahontas” and “Middle Pocahontas” as the girl grows into the adult
Pocahontas starring Brittany Hopkins. When an eagle is shot and killed
for her father, Pocahontas is haunted by the event, with a Flying Eagle (nice
work by Alyssa Mikovits) symbolizing Pocahontas’s love of all living
things, eventually inspiring her into the act that would immortalize her,
stopping the execution of John Smith (Sean Clancy) and pleading with her
father (Jordan Cavanaugh) to be peaceful with the Europeans. This is
over the objections on both sides, with an always-angry Keokum (Emmanuel
Young) deeply suspicious of the Europeans, and the new captain of Jamestown
(Argall Jon White) not too fond of Smith or of the native population.
 But some are swayed to the side of Pocahontas and Smith.
Most notably a plantation owner named John Rolfe (Michael Sanchez).
Their relationship turns into marriage, resulting in a new hope for peace
between the English and Native Americans. And a new hope for the English
companies sponsoring the Virginia Colony who see the marriage between
Pocahontas and John Rolfe as a way to drum up new colonists. The couple and
their new son sail to England where Pocahontas ends up dealing with ignorance
and racism, including a memorable meeting with Queen Anne (Jenny Hurn).
Before she gets to return to her homeland, European disease
consumes her body. But Pocahontas would live on through her son and their
descendants, including the astronomer Percival Lowell and two first ladies,
Edith Wilson and Nancy Reagan.
The play itself is a pleasant departure from the more
romanticized versions of Pocahontas, though it could use some tinkering. The
story feels a bit episodic as we fly through Pocahontas’s life. This production
includes good choreography, and the cast features some strong performances by
Brittany Hopkins and Michael Sanchez as they find love and deal with the
bigotry in England, while we get glimpses of several other great voices from
the camp counselors/storytellers as they take us through this brief but
remarkable life.
Performed November 7 - 16, 2008.
Rob Hopper
National Youth Theatre
~ Cast ~
Storyteller (Narrator): Jenna Wille*
Storyteller (Narrator): Paige Santangelo*
Storyteller (Narrator): Dayna Austin*
Storyteller (Narrator): Taylor Fox*
Young Pocahontas: Lindsay Peck*
Middle Pocahontas: Savannah Montgomery*
Pocahontas: Brittany Hopkins*
Chief Powhatan: Jordan Cavanaugh*
Keokum: Emmanuel Young*
Captain John Smith: Sean Clancy*
John Rolfe: Michael Sanchez*
Captain Samuel: Argall Jon White*
Pocahontas’ Friends:
Sandy Shyu*
Danielle Sanchez*
Jillian Dudley*
Queen Anne: Jenny Hurn
Wa-Hun Sen: Jon White
Flying Eagle: Alyssa Mikovits
Thomas Marley: Larsen Dunn*
Bellows: Chase Fischer
Smithers: Austin Hurd
Jonesy: Troy Daum
Luna: Anna Lettang
Young Indian Boy: Chris Casey
Camp Leader’s Son: Parker Shyu
Lady Margaret: Melanie Ottino
Lady Gabrielle: Abby Wray
Indian/Royal Court Dancers:
Jillian Dudley
Anna George
Alyssa Mikovits
Heather Paik
Kaitlyn Paik
Courtney Peck
Danielle Sanchez
Sandy Shyu
Brittany Zapata
Young Indian Boys’ Friends:
Marley Larsen Dunn
John Lettang
Quinn Petrosky
Parker Shyu
Young Pocahontas’ Friends:
Mackenzie Batten
Rebecca Huynh
Audrey Ouellet
Giovanna Zavala
Indian Tribe:
Mackenzie Batten
Giana Bradford
Emily Brown
Emily Calcara
Chris Casey
Makenna Cavanaugh
Riley Cavanaugh
Marley Larsen Dunn
Avery Foncerrada
Melissa Gillespie
Jillian Hodge
Katherine Hodge
Natalie Hodge
Jenny Hurn
Rebecca Huynh
Makeda Jackson
Amber Ki
Anna Lettang
John Lettang
Koryne Martinez
Kelsey Nielsen
Melanie Ottino
Audrey Ouellet
Alyssa Pauley
Quinn Petrosky
Shelby Proseus
Emily Seckington
Parker Shyu
Bailey Sonner
Cali White
Abby Wray
Haley Young
Devan Zarro
Giovanna Zavala
Jamestown Men:
Troy Daum
Chase Fischer
Austin Hurd
John Lettang
English Townspeople:
Emily Brown
Makenna Cavanaugh
Riley Cavanaugh
Avery Foncerrada
Sarah Gerard
Jillian Hodge
Katherine Hodge
Natalie Hodge
Koryne Martinez
Quinn Petrosky
Emily Seckington
Bailey Sonner
Devan Zarro
Royal Court:
Jordon Cavanaugh
Chase Fischer
Melissa Gillespie
Anna Lettang
Kelsey Nielsen
Melanie Ottino
Shelby Proseus
Jon White
Abby Wray
Campers:
Mackenzie Batten
Giana Bradford
Emily Calcara
Sarah Gerard
Jillian Hodge
Rebecca Huynh
Audrey Ouellet
Lindsay Peck
Haley Young
Giovanna Zavala
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