MAT opening two shows this week

Theater in the area is in full swing this weekend as the Montana Actors' Theatre is set to open a pair of shows on the Hi-Line.

Tonight, MAT will begin its run of "Blue/Orange" in the Little Theatre in Cowan Hall on the Montana State University-Northern campus with the doors opening at 7:30 p.m.

The local troupe will also begin their run of "Charlie's Aunt" as dinner theater at the Eagles Club in Chinook Friday at 6 p.m. 

"Blue/Orange" is a dark comedy set in a mental institution in London around the year 2000. The story follows a pair of doctors as they try to diagnose a patient who claims to be the son of former African dictator Idi Amin. Through the story, the doctors begin to question whether the patient is actually the son of the dictator. 

The play deals with several themes such as mental health and institutional racism. MAT Artistic Director Grant Olson said the play also provides plenty of laughs while also allowing viewers to ponder its themes. 

"MAT's motto is to entertain, educate and enlighten," Olson said. "The show fits that description perfectly, and it's very entertaining, it's educational, and there are moments of true enlightenment as you go through it."

The play will open tonight with more shows Friday and Saturday. "Blue/Orange" will then hold shows next weekend in the Little Theatre Thursday, Friday and Saturday to wrap up its run.

The production is directed by Joyce Mphande-Finn with Zavier Baldwin as the tech operator and Casey Pratt as the shop supervisor. 

"Blue/Orange" is a small production with only three actors: Olson, Kaymen Cureton and Martin Holt. Cureton is looking to demonstrate his many talents as the Northern quarterback will play the mental patient in the play. 

"He's phenomenal, and he's a multi-talented guy," Olson said . 

"Charlie's Aunt" dinner theatre is a story set in England at the beginning of the 20th century. The story follows a pair of men who are trying to meet with a pair of women they are in love with, but they need a chaperone in attendance. They arrange for one of their aunts to be the chaperone, but after she sends a telegram saying she will not be able to make it, the men arrange to have a friend dress up as the aunt in order to chaperone for them. 

"It's a standard farce with mistaken identities and mixed-up lover things," Olson said. "It's a laugh-a-minute sort of play and I figured after the last couple years, the laughter is what everybody's really wanting."

"Charlie's Aunt" dinner theater is a traveling show with stops in several towns over the next few weeks. The show will run in Chinook this Friday and Saturday before heading to Shelby for shows next Friday and Saturday. The MAT will put on a pair of shows in Lewistown May 6 and May 7 and the show will wrap up its run with shows in Havre May 19 through May 21. 

"Charlie's Aunt" dinner theatre has a cast made up of Aylan Pratt, Bill Dolph, Derek Hann, Makena Silvey, Carsyn Vogel, Mike Zook, Ben Hall, Bonnie Ortner, Aubre Hartsock, Saige Matteson and Jay Pyette. The show will be directed by Casey James Pratt and the stage manager is Angela Murri.

Martin Holt rewrote the script for "Charlie's Aunt" to update the language. 

Olson said MAT does not usually run two shows at the same time, but they have run these shows at the same time because of COVID-19-related issues.

While it has been a challenge, Olson said, they have been able to make it work.

"We have enough of a support staff and volunteers to make it work," Olson said. "We've just rolled with the punches and keep on producing theater."

"Blue/Orange" will begin its run with the doors opening at 7:30 p.m. at Northern's Little Theatre.

"Charlie's Aunt" dinner theater will start its run on Friday at 6 p.m. at the Eagles Club in Chinook.