By TIM KELLERThe Chronicle-News

Raton Youth Theaterboarded the Shuler Theaterstage last weekend for threeenergetic performances ofthe comedy-adventure“Captain Bree: Scourge ofthe Sea,” by Martin A.Follose.

When a fast-approachingpirate ship is spotted off hisstarboard side, most ofCaptain Jennings’ crewabandons ship in fear, leav-ing him with an Irish crew-man who can’t swim and afamily of aristocratic pas-sengers unaccustomed toinconvenience.

Spenser Willden’sJennings is powerless toprevent Nathaly Torres’Captain Bree and her bandof lady pirates from fling-ing themselves aboard hisship; Joaquin Ramirez’sIrish brogue as Fergus is nomatch for the “Aargh!” ofthe pirates – although theladies consistently pro-nounced the pirate excla-mation as “R!”

With all the pirates beinggals, and most of thoseaboard Jennings’ ship guys,it won’t be surprising ifthey all make nice beforethe curtain falls on the hourlong one-act play, but notbefore scurvy pirates makemen walk the plank, throwwomen overboard, andengage in raucous sword-fights with their rebelliouscaptives.

As Madame Prescott,matriarch of the captivefamily, diminutive 8-year-old third grader Zoe Gomeznearly stole the show.Already a veteran of RYTstage productions, she’srapidly developing into areal actor, though she does-n’t appear to have reached 3feet in height. Casting heras the matriarch of a familyof precocious teens twiceher height was an illogicalbit of casting by directorGail Dixon-Willden thatworked beautifully andadded to the show’s comedy.Although three actors hadmore lines, Gomez was thestar.

Kristina Jansen andZachariah Salazar playedMadam Prescott’s niece andnephew, Julia and SamuelPrescott. Julia is attracted

to the romance and intrigueof a pirate’s life; she internsherself to the pirates.Samuel is at risk if thepirates know he’s a boy, sohe disguises himself as awoman, which doesn’t pre-vent him from beingthrown overboard.

Clair Willden’s pirateShawna rescues him,though, and discovers thetruth. She was boy crazy

already: now she finds anobject for her affections.Her scenes of puppy lovewith a boy in a dress pro-vided the audience withsweet laughter.

Of course, by the timethe British Navy arrives,led by Stone Phillips’Admiral Moore, the cap-tives are all getting along sowell with their pirate cap-tors that no one really

wants to be rescued. Theyunite to confound theBritish, and now the dis-guises go the other direc-tion: Samuel again dressesas himself, but all the pirategals don dresses to becomejust regular girls.

Captains Jennings andBree cast the British off ontheir own ship, whichFergus has handily sabo-taged with a handsaw, sothey won’t be catching upanytime soon. Everyone’shappy – except the Britishand, oh yeah, MadamPrescott.

She’s a scold with plansfor her nephew and niecethat neither is comfortablewith, but when the newlyunited crew of lovebirdssolves this final conflict bythrowing Madam Prescottoverboard, the scriptseemed to have gone awry.Maybe it was just thatGomez was so winning inthe role: the audiencewould have granted a come-uppance for her, but not awatery death at the hands

of her own family.The fast-moving romp

traded enjoyably in genderhumor. Madame Prescottexclaims, “I have a nephewin a dress and a niece wear-ing pants: what is thisworld coming to!” WhenSamuel insists to his cousinJulia, “I wear the pants inthis family,” Julia looks atSamuel’s drag disguise andsays, “Really?”

To pirate Shawna, Juliaremarks, “Men are like rats:you see them, then they’regone.” Boy crazy Shawnareplies, “Yeah, but we’re thecats.”

The costumes, by UrsulaGarcia and Misty Gomez,were fun and convincing.The costumers even foundpirate-themed bandannasfor Captain Bree’s gals towear as headscarves. Thecomic effect of tiny Gomezplaying the elderly matri-arch Madam Prescott wasaccentuated by her costumeand make-up, with grayinghair, a frilly yellow dress,and clacking heels under

her white shoes.Raton Youth Theater had

28 young actors on stagelast weekend. Betweenthem and the growing num-ber of actors and techni-cians in Raton HighSchool’s Mask and WigClub, the future of theatrein Raton looks increasinglyexciting.

Special to The Chronicle-News

In celebration of spring,Capulin Volcano NationalMonument will offer sever-al programs throughout themonth of March. Parkrangers would like to invitethe park’s friends andneighbors to visit the parkfor special programs notgenerally offered this timeof year.

On March 12, 19, and 26,join a park ranger at 1 p.m.for “In Pursuit of theAmerican Dream,” a spe-cial ranger-led tour ofCapulin Volcano NationalMonument. Visitors canenjoy panoramic views ofthe surrounding area asthey hike the one-mile trail

around the rim of theCapulin Volcano’s crater.Participants will learnabout the struggles and tri-umphs of those who camebefore as each pursued hisor her dream. Space is lim-ited as each tour can onlyaccommodate 10 people sobe sure to call ahead tomake a reservation - (575)278-2201.

Additionally onSaturdays and Sundaysthroughout the month at 11a.m., join a ranger for“Riding the Range.”Participants will learnabout cowboys, outlaws,and the cattle industry innortheastern New Mexico.Have some hands-on fun asa park ranger teaches par-

ticipants how to throw alasso. All programs areweather dependent and allparticipants are asked towear appropriate footwearand clothing.

Capulin VolcanoNational Monument, a unitof the National ParkSystem, preserves “…astriking example of arecent extinct volcano.”The park is located onHighway 325, three milesnorth of the town ofCapulin, NM, 30 miles eastof Raton, and 56 miles westof Clayton. For more aboutCapulin Volcano and theNational Park Service,check out the websitewww.nps.gov/cavo or findit on Facebook.

Arrests:03-09-11

n Max Ortega: aggravated stalking, battery againsta household member and order of protection

n Muhammad Ali Nayeli: Bench Warrant for failureto pay fines

03-10-11n Carl Ortiz: driving while license suspended-

revoked

Citations:03-09-11

n Marlene M. Gutierrez: disorderly conduct n Gregory Wiltfang: expired registration tags and

no proof of insurance n Ruben Garcia: speeding

03-10-11n Carl Ortiz: driving while license suspended-

revoked

Incidents:03-0-9-11

n Jessica S. Gonzales: victim of disorderly con-duct

n Leon R. Martinez: victim of larceny

03-10-11n Natalie Horner: victim of aggravated battery

Page 10 Friday, Saturday & Sunday, March 11-13, 2011 The Chronicle-News Trinidad, Colorado

Misty is a 2004 graduate of Pueblo West HighSchool and attended Toni and Guy CosmetologyHairdressing Academy in Colorado Springs. Shecurrently is an independent contractor at In StyleSalon and Spa in Pueblo.

Brant graduated from Trinidad High school in2002. He graduated from CSU-Pueblo with a

degree in Civil Engineering Technology and works for the ColoradoDepartment of Transportation in Denver, CO-Traffic Division.

The wedding will be held at the Royal Gorge, Cañon City, CO.The reception will be held at the Union Depot Station, Pueblo,CO.

Best man Kasey LatudaMaid of honor Crystal Chavez

They will have 9 bridesmaids and groomsmen

Brant Dallas Schreiner &Misty Rae Chavez

Scheduled for April 23, 2011

U P C O M I N G W E D D I N G O F

Parent(s) of Misty Chavez are John and Debbie Chavez of Pueblo West Parent(s) of Brant Schreiner are Dennis and Karen Malone, Trinidad

Brant’s Garndparents are Tom and Sheryl Augustine, formerly of Trinidad, CO

3 4 5 2 0

For details, see girlscoutsofcolorado.org or call 1-877-404-5708.

• Overnight and day camp adventures

• Open to non-Girl Scouts too

• Special discounts for new campers

• Transportation to some camps available

• Online registration begins March 14

Summer Camp:BIG FUN, little cost RATON POLICE BLOTTER

Special programs set at Capulin Volcano

Pirates and captives make friends and laughter

Photos by Tim Keller

Captain Bree, the pirate queen, and Madame Prescott, the cap-tive, are having a spat. Tiny 8-year-old Zoe Gomez is Prescott,Nathaly Torres Bree.

Sea captains are not known for laughter, but Spenser Willden can’t resist a snicker when confront-ed with Zoe Gomez’s Madame Prescott.

Clair Willden’s pirate Shawnais tickled by the attentions ofZachariah Salazar’s captiveSamuel Prescott, despite hiswearing a dress.