ALPENA - The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary will host its first live theater performance this month, at its own theater at the NOAA Maritime Center.
Sarah Waters, education and outreach coordinator, said the play will be geared toward elementary- and middle school-aged youth and families.
"It's an award winning show coming from the Wild Swan Theater in Ann Arbor, a really great professional theater company," she said.
According to Waters, the play is a sailing story that took place in 1893 involving a family of three from Detroit who got swept through the shores of Thunder Bay.
"Although I haven't seen it yet, I bet there's a happy ending. It's an exciting story where crews risk their lives for a daring rescue," she said.
The performance revolves around a family, including a child character, which Waters said children can easily relate to, and crew members who create a splash in the historically true story.
Fact Box
What: Shipwrecked! live theater performance
When: April 21, 11 a.m.
Where: NOAA Maritime Center theater
There also will be an American Sign Language interpreter as part of the cast, who will be interpreting the play.
The play premiered in Ann Arbor on March 14, and will be performed in Lansing before making its debut in Alpena.
"It was just written and received funding through a grant from the Michigan Humanities Council. Thunder Bay is hosting the play, but also consulted with Dossin Great Lakes Museum, Michigan Historical Museum, and Michigan Council for History Education in a collaborative effort to make the play exciting, fun and historically accurate," she said.
This is the first live play that will be hosted by the sanctuary. Cast members will be bringing in a set and be available after the show to answer any questions from the audience about the play.
"It's a great way to incorporate history and its dramatic episodes. This is an experiential opportunity for learning," Waters said.
Shipwrecked! will be shown only once in Alpena, at 11 a.m. at NOAA Maritime Center on April 21. Tickets cost $5 per person and are available online at Thunderbayfriends.org or at the sanctuary store. For more information on purchasing tickets call 356-8805.
Emily Siegmon can be reached via e-mail at esiegmon@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5687.