Young fiddler adds authentic flavor to Flinn's annual ‘Westward the Children'

By Heather Crabtree
The Entertainer

ALBANY — For the first time in its three-season run, Flinn's Living History Theater's production of "Westward the Children" will include a new sound — the fiddle.

The play opens at 6:15 p.m. Friday, June 17, for dinner and show, with the performance starting at 7 p.m., for show only tickets. Additional shows will run on June 18, 24 and 25 at the same time.

"We've never had an Oregon Trail instrument like this before, although we had a scene developed for it," said Ellen Lilja, the play's author.

Michael Perlin, a Corvallis teenager who also plays Benjamin, a 10-year-old pioneer boy, will play the fiddle during two scenes.

Perlin was recruited for the production after Lilja asked cast members if they knew anyone who played, and it happened that a cast member did.

"He acts just as well as he plays the fiddle," Lilja said.

Perlin usually plays classic al music such as Bach on the violin, and "he never forgets to remind me of that," she said.

The violin and fiddle are the same instrument, but the name changes depending on the style of music being played. Fiddles are the instruments used to play folk music and bluegrass, which is the style of music in the production.

In past performances, the only instrument used was a harmonica, played this year by Duncan Tucker.

Lilja hopes to be able to keep Perlin on for additional productions.

The cast for "Westward the Children:

• Oregon Pioneer Children — Rieghly Sitton (Harry); Teigon Tegner (Edwin); Michael Perlin (Benjamin and fiddlist); Nicholus Gribskov (Zachery); Ian Paul (Matthew; Gregory Gates (Cecil); Stone Williams (Samuel); Thomas Stone (Luke); Meryn Dye (Amanda); Scarlett Williams (Faith); Charrisa Stone (Beryl); Merideth Gates (Annabelle); Alexis Paul (Rebecca); Amanda Dalkenberg (Hannah); Ashley Wirth (Sarah), and Anna Schukis (Ruth).

• Oregon Wagon Train Leaders — Duncan Tucker (Captain Higgins); Jeff Sitton (Pastor Stevens); Chris Williams (Asa West (Scout)), and Holly Leder (Vessie Hart (midwife)).

• Oregon Pioneer Women — Leslie Six-Dye (Hattie Thorne), and Nancy Homan (Della Epperly).

• Oregon Pioneers — Steve Owen (Mr. Cooper); Arrielle Houchin (Mrs. Cooper); W.J. "Bill" Lilja (pioneer man and play historian); Ellen West Lilja (old Amanda).

Technical Crew — Carol Leder (director); Leslie Six-Dye (assistant director); Sue Stone (stage manager); Vern Burje (light and sound); Debby Gill (costume and photography), and Satch Gill (stagehand).

If you go

What: Flinn's Living History Theater's production of "Westward the Children," by Ellen West Lilja.

Where: Flinn's Historical Theater, 222 First Ave. S.W., Albany.

When: Dinner Seating at 6:15 p.m.; seating at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 17, 18, 24 and 25.

Cost: $27.50 per person (includes gratuity) and $10 for show only. Tickets are available by calling Flinn's, 928-5008.