Henegar Center for the Arts announces Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island” adapted by Ken Ludwig

Classic adventure tale to be performed as the opening show of the 2009-2010 theatre season in historic downtown Melbourne

Henegar Center, Melbourne, July 8, 2009:  The Henegar Center for the Arts in historic downtown Melbourne is pleased to announce the first show of their exciting 2009-2010 theatre season.  The classic tale  Treasure Island by Ken Ludwig will open on August 7 and runs through August 30 on Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 pm and Sunday matinees at 2 pm. 

 Based on the masterful adventure novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island is a stunning yarn of piracy on the tropical seas. It begins at an inn on the Devon coast of England in 1775 and quickly becomes an unforgettable tale of treachery and mayhem featuring a host of legendary swashbucklers including the dangerous Billy Bones, the sinister two-timing Israel Hands, the brassy woman pirate Anne Bonney, and the hideous form of evil incarnate, Blind Pew. At the center of it all are Jim Hawkins, a 14-year-old boy who longs for adventure, and the infamous Long John Silver, who is a complex study of good and evil, perhaps the most famous hero-villain of all time. Silver is an unscrupulous buccaneer-rogue whose greedy quest for gold, coupled with his gruff affection for Jim, cannot help but win the heart of every soul who has ever longed for romance, treasure and adventure.

Author Ken Ludwig says his adaptation celebrates “everything that’s fun and touching about the novel but also focuses on young protagonist Jim Hawkins’ search for a father figure. That makes the adventure also a coming of age tale with a real heart to it.” 

 The cast of Treasure Island includes:  Daniel Bell, Mark Caballero, Henry Caraballo, Scott Culbreth, Adam Davidson, Ryan Enright, Andrew Gamerl, Daniel Gattle, Ed Guilbeau, Gene Hayes, Kevin Heddle, Joe Hennessy, Pete Jacobsen, Ron Knox, Kaleb Lankford, Leif Lundstrom, Jennifer Martin, Bryan McKeone, Travis O’Bier, Jim Prosser, Adam K. Lucker, Raymond Scarola, Bob Scott, Holly Sherwood, Lisane Sicinski, Joey Swift, and Ryky Guadalupe-Zimmerman.

Treasure Island is produced by the Henegar Center for the Arts and directed by Gail Jean with technical direction by Brock Tucker and costumes by Judy Lee.  The production is sponsored in part by the State of Florida – Division of Cultural Affairs, Brevard County Board of County Commissioners through the Brevard Cultural Alliance, Inc., and the City of Melbourne.   

Treasure Island begins on August 7 and runs through August 30 on Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm and Sunday matinees at 2:00 pm at the Henegar Center for the Arts, 625 E. New Haven Avenue in historic downtown Melbourne.  Tickets are $22 for adults, $20 for seniors 65+ and $10 for children (18 and under).  Reserved tickets may be purchased at the Henegar Center Box Office Monday through Friday 10-6.   using Visa, Mastercard or Discover by calling (321) 723-8698 or ONLINE at www.henegar.org Season tickets for the 2009-2010 Theatre Season are also on sale at $99 for adults and $89 for seniors 65+.  The upcoming season includes 5 exciting shows:  Treasure Island, Lucky Stiff, You Can’t Take it with You, The Producers and Mark Twain’s Is He Dead? For additional information visit the center’s website at www.henegar.org.

1. Treasure Island