RACHEL HERGETT for the Chronicle
Hawthorne Elementary School
kindergarten teacher Patrick Higgins admits some of the reasons he created Bozeman Children’s eatre were sel sh. He wanted to give his daughter Paige a taste of his passion for theater as young as possible, and he wanted the school’s youngest students, his students, to have the opportunity to participate in a production.
“Kindergartners get left out
of a lot of stu ,” Higgins said. “Because they’re too young and they’re too small, people think they can’t do it or they can’t sit that long. I was like ‘No! We can do that.’”
Higgins, who has taught kindergarten for nine years, was well aware of the challenges with engaging the youngest students. ough by nature a perfectionist who loves a well-executed plan, he is learning to lean into the cuteness when it comes to children’s theater, especially with
kids as young as ve on stage. His inner “theater person” may cringe, but the rest of him can’t help but love when the kids start waving to their parents, sucking on the hem of their costume or overact. e parent in him knows that’s how you get the best pictures, the best memories.
A Washington native who has degrees in theater and education, Higgins was somewhat of a latecomer to the stage, rst performing in “Oklahoma” at 15. His bio on the Bozeman Children’s
eatre website ponders how his childhood may have bene tted if he had discovered his passion earlier.
“I think I always forget to say how important I do believe theater is,” Higgins said. “Beyond the enjoyment kids get from it, it’s just a huge con dence booster.”
Bozeman Children’s eatre was formed in 2018 at Irving Elementary School, where Higgins was teaching and Paige was in kindergarten. He and a team of teachers ran an after school
program that put 70 kids on the Irving stage. e next year, 115 students participated.
Last February, someone from Longfellow Elementary School reached out, asking if Higgins would work with their students. ey put up a production of “ e Jungle Book” in April 2022. e musicals are generally shortened versions for juniors, which run around an hour, or for kids, which are only a half hour long.
A billionaire (Jose Luis Gomez) looking to make a groundbreaking film hires the best — filmmaker Lola Cuevas (Penelope Cruz) and two enormously talented actors who also have monstrous egos: Hollywood star Félix (Antonio Banderas) and aging thespian Iván (Oscar Martinez). They’re legends, but not friends. Through a series of increasingly hilarious tests set by Lola, they must confront each other and their legacies in this 2021 comedy.
This 2011 documentary, a joint U.S./South Africa production, follows Johannesburg native Trevor Noah, who would later go on to become the host of “The Daily Show,” as he uses his childhood experiences in a biracial family during apartheid to prepare for his first one-man show.
Diane Kruger was named best actress at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival for her acclaimed performance in writer-director Fatih Akin’s German drama, which also won the 2018 Golden Globe Award for best foreign language film. Kruger plays a German woman whose husband and son are killed in a terrorist attack carried out by neo-Nazis. Numan Acar, Rafael Santana, Denis Moschitto and Hanna Hilsdorf also star.
Cheryl Strayed’s bestselling novel served as the basis for this dramedy series that casts Kathryn Hahn (“Transparent,” “Mrs. Fletcher”) as Clare, a struggling writer who finds success as an advice columnist even while her own life is falling apart. Sarah Pidgeon, Quentin Plair and Tanzyn Crawford are also in the cast for creator/executive producer Liz Tigelaar (“Little Fires Everywhere”). (ORIGINAL) Series Premiere New
The identity of the celebrity is found within the answers in the puzzle. In order to take the TV Challenge, un-scramble the letters noted with asterisks in the puzzle.
1. Ryan or Tilly
4. Heida of “FBI: International”
8. “__ Rise”
11. Not long __; recently
12. “__ __ Ask of You” (from “The Phantom of the Opera”)
13. Mimi Kennedy series
14. Role on “East New York” (2)
17. Pupil’s place
18. “Viva __ Vegas”; Elvis movie
19. Media mogul Griffin
21. Donahue or Hartman
24. Number of seasons for “Alice”
25. Alana __ La Garza of “FBI”
26. Kirstie’s initials
27. Initials for Hot Lips Houlihan’s portrayer
28. Actor Jannings
30. Bruce & Brandon
32. “__ Just Not That Into You”; 2009 film
34. Objective
35. Actor on “So Help Me Todd” (2)
41. __ Ullmann
42. Opera solo
43. Role on “Abbott Elementary”
44. Take advantage of
45. Close by
46. Cruz or Feinstein: abbr.
1. Floor pad
2. Sense of self-esteem
3. Jim Nabors’ role
4. Comic actress Martha
5. Big game
6. Actor Wallach
7. Pickle variety
8. “Return to __”; TLC reality series
9. Hawaii’s Mauna __
10. Encyc. volume, perhaps
15. “How Green Was __ __”; Maureen O’Hara film
16. Anthony __ of “Without a Trace”
19. Farrell or Huckabee
20. Test
22. Eric of Monty Python
23. “__ Than Perfect” (2002-06)
29. “All __ __ to Do Is Dream”; Everly Bros. song
31. Watson & Samms
33. Dad on “American Dad!”
34. Slightly open
35. Actor Gulager
36. Fleur-de-__
37. Miner’s find
38. Actress Peeples
39. Eden evictee
40. Actress Laura __ Giacomo
BY GEORGE DICKIEQ: What spoke to you about “The Company You Keep”?
A: Honestly, I’ve been calling this my dream role ever since the first read. There are a couple of different reasons that drew me to it. First, I love that you have two characters in Charlie and Emma who are very seemingly different at first glance. But you happen to meet them when they’re going through the exact same moment in both their lives. And it’s that moment when you meet somebody and they just get it, they get you, and you think, ‘Oh, it’s you. It’s gonna be you.’ And then it’s on.
And I love that you have this Asian American female protagonist and she’s navigating love and struggles in career and then she goes home to a mom that’s just a lot. And I just was really excited about playing a character like that that’s really fully fleshed out, especially on network TV.
Q: Did your chemistry with Milo come right away?
A: I’m really grateful because he’s such a generous scene partner and also a fantastic producer. And we had the luxury of doing some rehearsals with our director for the pilot Ben Younger and an acting coach that he personally loves working with, Kim Gillingham. So I think having that creative space to collaborate and create trust together before we ever stepped on set when you’re being pulled in a million directions and the hours are crazy, it was just really nice.
And also Milo and I got to sit down and talk a few times before we actually started about our characters, our relationship as characters and also just in general how we wanted our set to be. I think things always trickle down from the top and we talked a lot about the kind of set we wanted to create as the lead actors in this show. Making sure that we do know everybody’s name and making sure that it’s a kind and professional set and then making sure everybody has fun because work is always stressful ... and we’re very mindful that everyone still goes home and has lives outside of work, even if we get to do things that are little kid dream stuff.
April 2
“Movie: Top Gun: Maverick”
Set 30 years after its predecessor, this 2022 action film follows Capt. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell’s (Tom Cruise) return to the U.S. Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program, where he must confront his past as he trains a group of younger pilots, among them the son (Miles Teller) of Maverick’s deceased best friend, for a mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice from those chosen to fly it.
“Movie: Siberia”
Willem Dafoe reteams with director Abel Ferrara for this 2020 psychological thriller, in which he plays Clint, who has abandoned his life in the English-speaking world to run a bar in Siberia, where he doesn’t share a language with most of his patrons. Haunted by hallucinations, Clint travels by dogsled to a nearby cave, where he tries to make sense of his life by confronting his dreams and memories.
April 7
“Movie: On a Wing and a Prayer”
Based on a true story, director Sean McNamara’s (“Spare Parts”) movie drama follows passenger Doug White’s (Dennis Quaid, “American Underdog”) harrowing journey to safely land a plane and save his entire family from danger after their pilot dies unexpectedly mid-flight. Heather Graham and Jesse Metcalfe also star. (ORIGINAL) Premiere
“Jury Duty”
This mockumentary series from the creative forces behind “The Office,” “Bad Trip” and “The White Lotus” follows a jury trial from the perspective of one juror. The twist is the juror doesn’t know the case is fake, everyone except him is an actor and everything that happens is carefully planned. James Marsden stars as an alternate version of himself alongside Alan Barinholtz, Susan Berger and Cassandra Blair. (ORIGINAL) Series Premiere
“Schmigadoon!”
(Words in parentheses not in puzzle)
Musical (Parody)
Schmicago
(Keegan-Michael) Key
(Cecily) Strong
(Alan) Cumming
(Kristen) Chenoweth
(Martin) Short
(Ariana) DeBose
(Dove) Cameron
(Jaime) Camil
Solution on page 12
(Jane) Krakowski
(Tituss) Burgess
(Patrick) Page
(Aaron) Tveit
(Ann) Harada
BY GEORGE DICKIEThough coffee is recognized as the morning beverage of choice in this country, tea has its devotees as well. One of them is Martha Stewart, and in Season 2 of “Martha Cooks,” she explores how to use it in several different ways in one episode.
Dropping its nine episodes Monday, April 3, on The Roku Channel, the new season finds Stewart at a friend’s Westport, Conn., tea shop, where she learns the finer points of teas and tea-making. Then she returns to her kitchen at her Bedford, N.Y., farm to embark on an ambitious dish called sugar and teasmoked chicken.
The process involves brining a whole bird in salt for several days, then smoking it with tea and sugar in a Dutch oven. Stewart and niece Sophie clear out while the poultry smokes and return to a mahogany-colored chicken unlike anything anyone has ever seen.
Also this season, Stewart heads to Maine to learn all there is to know about boiling lobster, gets a visit from chef and restaurateur Jamie Oliver, who demonstrates how to make several one-pot recipes, and does a brunch with chef Ignacio Mattos that’s complete with cocktail, waffles and an omelet tricked out with caviar and creme fraiche.
At 81, it’s clear that Stewart isn’t slowing down
and the recipes this season prove that her creativity is still at a peak level. But if you find that you still need more Martha, here are a few options you can stream right now.
“Martha Stewart Living” (Roku): Stewart arguably made her name on TV with this 1993-2004 syndicated half-hour series based on the same-named magazine, in which she presented segments on cooking, gardening, craft making and decorating. Not only was it informative, it was a regular presence at awards season, garnering numerous Daytime Emmy Awards, including four for Stewart herself as outstanding host
“Martha Knows Best” (discovery+, Spectrum, HGTV Go): Gardening is front and center of this HGTV series that finds Stewart offering up tips to callers and celebrity friends and showing off projects and improvements at her 150-acre estate in Bedford, N.Y.
“Martha Bakes” (Roku): Well, of course she does, and in this 2011-18 Hallmark Channel series, she shares baking tips and techniques that enable the home baker to produce the most impressive desserts and pastries in their own kitchen. And the confections run the gamut, so whether it’s lemon meringue pie or brown butter shortbread, there will likely be something to capture anyone’s imagination.
Martha StewartAPRIL 4
The Oscar-winning “Precious” actress returns to her stand-up roots to talk about such topics as her childhood on the mean streets of Baltimore and her grandmother’s warnings about men in this comedy performance filmed this past October at Georgia State University’s Rialto Center for the Arts. (ORIGINAL) New
APRIL 5
“War Sailor”
From Norway comes this 2022 drama about two sailors on a merchant ship in the middle of the North Atlantic, who suddenly find themselves in the midst of a fight they didn’t ask for when World War II breaks out. Kristoffer Joner, Pal Hagen and Ine Wilmann head the cast. (ORIGINAL) Series Premiere New
APRIL 6
“Beef”
This half-hour dark comedy follows the events that unfold after a road rage incident between Danny (Steven Yeun, “Nope”), a failing contractor with a chip on his shoulder, and Amy (Ali Wong, “American Housewife”), a self-made entrepreneur with a picture perfect life. Joseph Lee, Young Mazino, David Choe and Patti Yasutake also star. (ORIGINAL) Series Premiere New
APRIL 7
“Transatlantic”
Inspired by a true story, this drama series tells the story of the Emergency Rescue Committee, who risked their lives to help more than 2,000 refugees escape occupied France, including many artists on the Nazis’ most-wanted list, during World War II. Gillian Jacobs, Cory Smith, Deleila Piasko and Corey Stoll head the cast. (ORIGINAL) Series Premiere New
Emsculpt builds and tones muscles in the abs, buttocks, legs, arms or calves while shedding fat through “radiofrequency”. Emsculpt’s non-invasive muscle activation is deeper than gym reps, giving you natural-looking muscle tone.
ACROSS
1. Pasture cry
4. Pleads
8. Thumbs-up vote
11. Deadly viper
12. Bogeyman
13. Tavern
14. Carefree (hyph.)
17. __ Cruces, NM
18. “Pomp __ Circumstance”
19. Narrow valley
21. __ vu; familiar feeling
24. Five and six
25. Spanish article
26. Jimmy Kimmel’s age
27. Media mogul Turner’s initials
28. Faucet problem
30. “And furthermore…”
32. Make clothes
34. Golfing org.
35. Halts early on (4)
41. Wrath
42. Delhi dress
43. 90 degrees from NNW
44. Skillet
45. Diabolical
46. Actor __ Chaney Jr. DOWN
1. Word from Scrooge
2. As sly __ __ fox
3. Granny Smith, for one
4. Babies in blue
5. __ McMuffin; fast-food breakfast
6. Miracle-__; plant food brand
7. Ward, for one
8. Opening quintet
9. Beast of burden
10. Suffix for cream or crock
15. Breakfast order
16. Still a minor (2)
19. Fish’s organ
20. Not taped
22. New York team
23. Choir voice
29. Colorado ski resort
31. Can wrapper
33. Astute
34. Donahue or Mickelson
35. Tuck’s partner, in phrase
36. Retirement acct.
37. Part of USNA: abbr.
38. Prefix for angle or pod
39. Family card game
40. Cub Scout group
Inspired by the bestselling novel by Kwame Alexander, this coming-of-age drama series from executive producer LeBron James follows teen brothers Josh and JB Bell (Jayln Hall, Amir O’Neil) as their father adjusts to life after his pro basketball career ends and their mother finally gets a chance to pursue her dreams. Derek Luke, Sabrina Revelle and Skyla I’Lece also star. (ORIGINAL)
(Available now)
The sophomore round of this unscripted National Geographic series follows members of an international task force who risk their lives with undercover investigations into illegal animal trade and environmental crimes. With fake identities and hidden cameras, these agents come face to face with criminals to obtain evidence.
“Jules Verne: Journey to the Center of the Earth” (Available now)
From Latin America comes this family drama about young Diego (Sebastián García), who with his friends at summer camp discover a mysterious portal to “The Verne Dimension”, a parallel universe that symbolizes what our planet could have been were it not for the destructive greed of mankind. (ORIGINAL)
“Miley Cyrus — Endless Summer Vacation (Backyard Sessions)”
(Available now)
Cyrus takes the stage in an intimate outdoor backyard setting to perform classic hits as well as eight songs from her new studio album “Endless Summer Vacation,” including the hit single “Flowers.” She also welcomes singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright for a special performance. (ORIGINAL)
A frequent cable attraction, “Goodfellas” – the 1990 crime drama widely deemed to be director Martin Scorsese’s masterpiece – returns to AMC on Friday, April 7, and it can be hard to look away once you’ve tuned into the saga of mobster-in-the-making Henry Hill (played by Ray Liotta) and his underworld cronies. They include mentor Jimmy (played by Robert De Niro) and quick-tempered underling Tommy (Joe Pesci, in his deservedly Oscar-winning performance). The brilliantly chosen soundtrack that echoes several decades is another strong point of the film, as is the acting of co-stars Lorraine Bracco and Paul Sorvino. The pace of “Goodfellas” never lets up from the first frame to the last, but it’s somewhat bittersweet to watch now, given the relatively recent deaths of Liotta and Sorvino. Scorsese has visited this genre several times, but arguably never better than here.
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“That was our first foray outside of just doing it as teachers,” Higgins said.
And it got the wheels in his brain turning. By the next month, Higgins had crafted a schedule that would allow for five productions throughout the 2022-2023 school year. The team would work on each show for five weeks, take a week off, then dive back into the fray with the next group of kids.
“It’s fast,” Higgins said. “Five weeks is a fast, fast process.”
Higgins said the theater company has a full dance card, with productions at Meadowlark, Hawthorne, Morningstar and Meadowlark elementary schools and a middle school production with Chief Joseph and Headwaters students. Participation in the school program is free for students. Production and administrative costs are usually funded through the parent advisory councils, fundraising and sponsors, who are thanked in a professional-style playbill featuring bios and headshots of the actors.
Bozeman Children’s Theatre has also expanded its summer camp offerings, now leading two for elementary students, plus one for middle school students to ensure Paige doesn’t age out of the program. The middle school camp will culminate with a production of “Spamalot” at the Sweet Pea Festival.
Over the last month, the production team has been working out of Morningstar Elementary School, in south Bozeman, in preparation for two performances of “The Lion King Jr.” in the Willson Auditorium on Friday and Saturday. Behind the scenes, Higgins’ wife Shelly and Tawny Advincula collaborate on costumes with makeup by Laci Lake. Sets are designed by a parent, Peter Belschwender.
Choreographer Kendall Bachman and music director
Heide Brandin lead rehearsals for the choruses, and both said they love seeing each musical come together.
The production includes 110 kids in kindergarten through fifth grade, five of whom are “assistant directors” with various backstage roles such as cuing music and operating a spotlight. One fifth grader, who was once in Higgins’
kindergarten class, is the stage manager, calling lighting and sound cues through a headset. Bringing a large number of young performers together is no easy task. To accomplish it, Higgins creates two choruses, one of kindergartners and second graders and one of first and third graders. Each group appears in the opening number and finale, and are showcased in two other song and dance numbers. Fourth and fifth graders audition for the larger
roles. For Morningstar’s “Lion King,” one chorus is made up of animals, the other, adorable blades of grass.
Third-grader Alida Blockey
Davis Turny loves singing and dancing with her friends but can’t wait until next year when she can audition for a larger role. The gregarious 9-year-old is a natural on stage who takes every opportunity to showcase her skills.
“I’m a really good actor,” she said.
“The Lion King” will be third grader Luca Zello’s second play. He describes his first role as a Santa Claus wizard. He, too, is eying a larger role next year.
“I like being on stage and the excitement of all of it,” he said.
Whitney Todd is a third-grade teacher at Morningstar whose fourth-grade daughter Rubye is a lioness. Though hesitant at first, Rubye is now “hooked,” Todd said. She sees similar growth in other students, who find confidence, community and excitement in the process, and hopes every student finds that passion.
“Every child is different,” Todd said. “Every child has different talents and curiosities. When we offer a variety of experiences it exposes them to a variety of things and maybe some children can find the thing that sparks their interest.”
For more information, visit www. bozemanchildrenstheatre.com.
Solution on page 12
Questions:
1) What is the name of the golf course where the Masters is played?
2) When was the first tournament held?
3) Like the Super Bowl, the first Masters wasn’t called by its modern-day name. What was it called?
4) Who won the first tournament?
5) When was the name officially changed to the Masters Tournament?
6) Rather than holding golf tournaments, what went on at Augusta during World War II?
7) What legendary golfer won his first of four Green Jackets in 1958?
8) Who was the first player to win back-to-back titles in 1965 and 1966?
9) Which significant records does Jack Nicklaus currently hold?
10) He is the youngest champion of the Masters and currently holds five titles. Who is he?
BY GEORGE DICKIE playerprofile
At 33, Rory McIlroy has accomplished just about everything there is to accomplish in golf – multiple wins in majors, a FedEx Cup championship, money list title, World No. 1 ranking. But there is one glaring omission that is preventing from realizing another, a Masters title that would give him a career Grand Slam. Indeed, the native of Northern Ireland has played well at Augusta National over the years, with a fourth place finish in 2015, ties for fifth in 2018 and 2020 and last year’s second place standing thanks to a sizzling final round. But no wins to show for it.
BY GEORGE DICKIEAnswers:
Entering Sunday 10 strokes back a year ago, McIlroy made birdies on six holes and an eagle on another in a round highlighted by a brilliant hole-out from a bunker on No. 18, to finish the day at eight-under 64. Unfortunately, it was not enough to overcome the deficit he had put himself in through the first three rounds and he wound up three strokes behind Scottie Scheffler, who bagged his first major.
As for this season, he’s happy with his performance overall and at Bay Hill in early March in particular, despite losing the lead in the final round and finishing second to Kurt Kitayama. He feels his driving and his overall play are getting to where he wants them to be just as the big tournament is coming into view.
He’ll be looking to don his first green jacket when he tees off in the golf year’s first major, the Masters, which airs Thursday through Sunday, April 6-9, on ESPN and CBS, from Augusta National in northwest Georgia.
Name: Rory McIlroy
Birth date: May 4, 1989
Birthplace: Holywood, Northern Ireland
Height/weight: 5 feet 10 inches/160 pounds
Family ties: Parents
Gerry and Rosie McIlroy worked extra jobs and shifts to pay for
their son’s golf development; he and wife Erica have a daughter
Turned pro: 2007
PGA Tour wins: 23
Honors and achievements:
U.S. Open champion (2011); The Open Championship winner (2014), PGA Championship winner (2012,
2014); PGA Tour Player of the Year (2012, 2014, 2019); PGA Tour leading money winner (2012, 2014); FedEx Cup champion (2016, 2019, 2022)
Did you know?: Is a recipient of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire
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