Base youth perform Robinson Crusoe Published Aug. 7, 2008 By Staff Sgt. Vesta M. Anderson 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Echos of "Boom Badda Boom!" flooded the Youth Center gymnasium while Tyndall Air Force Base youth performed the Missoula Children's Theater production, Robinson Crusoe, Aug 1. More than 30 kindergarten through twelfth grade children auditioned and received a part or were involved in this year's Missoula Children's Theater, a traveling theater group that visits Tyndall annually to produce a play production in one week. The play, Robinson Crusoe, was based off a book, originally published in 1719, depicting a Mariner who was shipwrecked on a deserted island where he lived alone for 28 years. The 50-minute production was a "very loosely" adapted children's musical version, conceived and written by Jim Carson and Annie Carson. The Caribbean beach background was decorated with a straw hut at one point during the play. Its inhabitants were Robinson Crusoe, Momma Crusoe, a family of 12 chameleon, Friday and his brothers and sisters (the rest of the days of the week), the very hairy frowny face tribe, a leopard, an octopus, a comedic wild boar, a goat and its family, and a singing group including a seagull, a parrot and a stork. "The costumes and scenery were provided by the tour group," said Anesia Iszard, 325th Services Squadron Youth Center School Age Program coordinator, who played the part of Momma Crusoe. "I loved the chameleons and the frowny face tribe. They had cute little costumes. The chameleons actually changed colors; their tummy part was a flap that they could pull down to change the color of the costume." "All the kids were real excited about being in the play," said Mrs. Iszard. "Every year the kids look forward to Missoula coming." The children are not the only to anticipate the performance; the gymnasium was lined with the children's family and friends. Ms. Andrea Carpenter, 325th Medical Group pediatric nurse and mother of two of the young actors, said one of her son's played a chameleon, and the other played one of the "very hairy frowny face tribe." "It was very good," she said. "It helps build their self-esteem, camaraderie and strong personal skills." Another parent, Maj. Woody Boyd, 325th Security Forces commander, had one son also playing the part of a "very hairy frowny face tribe." "I thought it was awesome," said Major Boyd whose family, from Missoula, is familiar with the children's production group. "Being new to the base, this was a great opportunity for him to get out and meet other children." Missoula Children's Theater is an annual event and is open to any child on base. For more information, visit www.mctinc.org.