Child written story 'Crumb and the Pirates' comes to Capitol Theatre


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SALT LAKE CITY — A company of young Utah dancers is preparing to perform a story written by a child, called "Crumb and the Pirates."

This production also has a distinctly Mediterranean feel to it. During the performance, viewers will hear and see a lot about pasta and giant Italian puppets.

The Children's Dance Theatre, Utah's second-oldest and a nationally recognized arts group, compiled a cast of 300 to tell the story of the happy town of Napoli — happy, that is, until the men disappear.

After the disappearance, one of the boys, Crumb, goes fishing to feed his hungry people.

Twelve-year-old Samantha Anderson, who plays Crumb, picks up the story.

"He finds that he has a heavy load that he's pulling, so he thinks that he has a big fish," Samantha said. "But it actually ends up being a pirate ship that he pulls out of the sea and... I don't want to give away too much."

Crumb promised his mom that whatever he caught, he would bring home for dinner.

This gang does not include the charming Captain Jack.

Clara Randall, 15, plays one of the nasty crew.


I think it's tremendously important for all of these children to know that they have important stories inside them, that they have an artistic voice and they get to share that voice on this beautiful Capitol Theatre stage.

–Mary Ann Less, artistic director


"We're angry, we're hungry and we're kind of vicious,” she said with a smile and a laugh.

Onstage or backstage, the older dancers also encourage and work with the younger ones. This, they said, builds a supportive community.

After 10 years with the dance company, 18-year-old Olivia Randall is preparing to graduate.

"This place where I can come and be myself, and to dance has definitely helped me become more poised and graceful but also helped me form friendships," she said.

Lillian Randall wears a colorful costume that represents the town, not the people but literally the town, which dances.

Children’s Dance Theatre offers free performances to school children and attracts audiences of all ages

"I think children will like it because there's a lot of fun parts to it, and I think adults will like it because they'll like the movement, and it's kind of funny."

Artistic director Mary Ann Less believes it is the company's positive message that does it because each CDT class, from second-grade through high school, selects a part of the story and creates the choreography with their teachers.

"I think it's tremendously important for all of these children to know that they have important stories inside them, that they have an artistic voice and they get to share that voice on this beautiful Capitol Theatre stage," Less said.

And share they do, enthusiastically bringing the story, "Crumb and the Pirates" to life with each movement they make.

“Crumb and the Pirates" performances take place at the Capitol Theatre in downtown Salt Lake, Friday evening and Saturday afternoon.

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Carole Mikita

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