The Dixon Community Theater will bring “Treasure Island,” Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale of pirates, treasure maps and high-seas adventure, to life with a cast of local children. From left are Aria Lane as Tall Tam, Annabelle Van Tuyl as Ms. Gray, Teddy Monson as Black Dog, Kennedy Monson as Squire Trelawney and Lorelei Prass Collins as Joyce. Photo courtesy of Dixon Community Theater

DIXON, CA (MPG) - The Dixon Community Theater (DCT) will bring Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale of pirates, treasure maps and high-seas adventure to life this month with its original musical adaptation of “Treasure Island,” featuring a cast of local children.

Performances will be at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 17 and Oct. 18, with a 2 p.m. matinee Oct. 19 at the Dixon Performing Arts Center, 555 College Way. Tickets are on sale now for $12 for general admission and $10 for seniors and children under 12.

The production includes original music composed by Angi Wolf and features more than two dozen performers between the ages of 6 and 16.

Among the performers is Bentley Abrew, a Cooper Elementary sixth-grader in Vacaville, who plays lead character Jim Hawkins.

“Acting takes me to a different place in my brain where I can work on something bigger than just me,” Bentley said. “It is fun working in the theater with my mom as she is the one who got me into acting and singing. We can head to practice together.”

Bentley’s mother, Angie Abrew, plays Jackie Avery, the show’s narrator. The pair have previously shared the stage in other Dixon Community Theater productions, including ‘Dreamland,’ ‘Alice’s Wonderland’ and the annual Christmas performance.

Performances are scheduled at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 17 and 18 with a 2 p.m. matinee Oct. 19 at the Dixon Performing Arts Center, 555 College Way. From left are Edith Griffin as Mrs. Hawkins, Bentley Abrew as Jim Hawkins and Cody Pidgeon James as Bill Bones. Photo courtesy of Dixon Community Theater

“My favorite part in ‘Treasure Island’ is definitely the fight scene when I am taken prisoner. I love the song I will be singing, ‘Jimmy Boy,’ written by Angi Wolfgram,” Bentley said.

Portraying Long John Silver, the other lead, is Matthew Popovitz, a Vacaville High School junior.

“My favorite part of the ‘Treasure Island’ show is the fight scenes,” Popovitz said. “I believe people should come to see ‘Treasure Island’ to show support for the DCT program and to encourage more young actors to audition for shows in their area.”

The show is directed by Angel Gatchel in her first role at the helm of a production.

“Practice has been going great,” Gatchel said. “We had some kids struggling with their reading and now they’re excited to try on new voices. It’s been really encouraging.”

Gatchel credited the Monson family and Tony James, husband of Dixon Community Theater co-organizer Kelly Pidgeon James, for their help with set design and prop construction. Gatchel said she hopes audiences will appreciate both the story and the effort behind it.

“I think they’re overall going to enjoy the fact that these kids have a creative outlet,” Gatchel said. “These kids are putting on a show for their families and they’ll get that outward affirmation from family and the community.”

First-time actor Bear Loveless, a third-grader playing Blind Pew, joins other newcomers such as Marwyn Bailey, 7, of Dixon Montessori, who plays Sandy Dunes and Jamie.

Parents say that the production has boosted their children’s confidence and interest in reading and performing. According to Nelda Bailey, mother of Marwyn Bailey, her daughter found her motivation to read through participation in this production.

Dixon Community Theater will also host a meet-and-greet with the “Treasure Island” cast at the Dixon Senior Resource Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 18 at 201 S. 5th St. From left are Matthew Popovits as Long John Silver, Meli Mackley as Morgan and Teddy Monson as Black Dog. Photo courtesy of Dixon Community Theater

Said Bailey, “Ever since she was little, she struggled to build motivation to read... Now she’ll ask more questions, she’ll ask for feedback. She wants to learn more and that’s been very nice.”

Dixon Community Theater will also host a meet-and-greet with the cast at the Dixon Senior Resource Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 18 at 201 S. 5th St.

For more information or to purchase “Treasure Island” tickets, visit dixoncommunitytheater.org or call 707-903-8387.