Hilarious version of Lewis and Clark comes to Havre

The Vigilante Theatre Company of Bozeman is bringing a timely play to Havre Saturday on the eve of the bicentennial of the journey of Lewis and Clark.

The play, sponsored by Albertsons and the Heritage Center, is the comedy "Clark and Lewis" by Great Falls playwright Thomas Morris. Billed by the Vigilante company as "a colossal extravaganza (on a less than lavish scale)," the play is based on the journey of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark and their Corps of Discovery up the Missouri River and across the Continental Divide to the West Coast.

"It was very entertaining. It was well worth going to," said Martin Lyders of Chester, whose wife, Laurie, was involved in booking the play there. "Those guys, you know, they're not bashful about anything. They go all out in their performance."

The Vigilante Theatre performed the play in Chester in January. They premiered the show in Bozeman in December 2000.

The play tells the story of a self-appointed expert on the voyage of Lewis and Clark, Dr. Grace, who decides to re-enact their journey. Her "lavish re-interpretation of the adventures of Lewis and Clark" turns into a major adventure on a minimal budget.

The only Native American presence in the play, aside from Sacagawea, is shown by 9-foot- tall puppets created by costumer Denise Massman of Missoula.

The music, by Greg Keeler of Bozeman, adds to the show, Lyders said.

"It was kind of a combination of singing and character acting," he said.

The actors involve the audience in the production, talking to them as the play goes on, Lyders said.

The play, at 7:30 p.m. at the Havre High School auditorium, costs $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors. Tickets are available at the door, at the Heritage Center, Magic Carpet Travel, Creative Leisure, Gary & Leo's IGA and Mel's Food.