Coeur d'Alene Resort Christmas show's Clark Shotwell to play young John Travolta in upcoming film

One of North Idaho's youngest rising stars is starting his professional acting career with one of the world's biggest and brightest performers.

Clark Shotwell, 10, of Dalton Gardens, will make his Hollywood debut in a film written and directed by John Travolta, "Propeller One-Way Night Coach," as the main character, Jeff, inspired by Travolta himself as an 8-year-old boy, when he flew for the first time. The story is a fictionalized account of Travolta's memories of flying airplanes as a young boy.

"Getting to play a young John Travolta was an absolutely incredible experience," Clark said Thursday evening. "It's incredible that he chose me for the role! It was very surprising to come home from church and find out that I had a high chance of being the lead role in a movie."

After the news, Clark read Travolta's 1997 book of the same name twice.

"It even feels more incredible to know that John Travolta said that I look just like him at his age," Clark said. "Overall, it was all an incredible experience to not only meet him but also his family and friends and to get to travel to many new places."

Clark said the most exciting part of working with Travolta was flying on his jet from set to set, getting to see all the cameras and what a film set looks like behind the scenes when the cameras are off.

Clark's parents, Jenny and Dalton, will also appear in the film, marking a trio of Shotwell film debuts.

Jenny said the whole thing has been an unbelievable experience.

"The logistics of the travel and getting Clark out of school, the filming and cameras and the learning curve of being on our first-ever movie set — all of that is in the past, so in some ways it's settled in," she said, giving a shoutout to Clark's school, Kootenai Classical Academy.

"Now we're entering the next phase, where people are beginning to see it, and the tightly held secret of Clark having this opportunity is starting to be presented to the world — we still have a lot to keep secret — and that's a whole new can of worms. 

"I think 'overwhelming' is the tip of the iceberg. But gratitude, thankfulness and humility are words that dominate our feelings."

Although the family is well versed in the performing arts, Jenny said no one had Hollywood ambitions.

"We have only wanted a stable and wonderful childhood for our children," she said. "This opportunity has kismet all over it; it was meant to be. As it turns out, Clark's first experience has been nothing but amazing. John and his family are incredibly giving and generous people. We are lucky to know them, let alone have this opportunity."

Although Clark's little sister, Skye, was not in the film, Jenny said they were sure to tell Travolta about her recent role in the Coeur d'Alene High School production of "Les Misérables."

"He was very impressed," Jenny said.

Jenny, as an eternal theater kid, said her favorite Travolta movie is, hands down, "Grease."

"Danny Zuko. What a stud. In fact, the night before we flew out for the filming we watched 'Grease' with the kids," she said. "Twenty-four hours later I was hanging out with him! I got to tell him we watched 'Grease' and he then asked Clark what his favorite song was and then he sang a little bit of it while we were sitting in the dressing room! Unbelievable."

Dalton admits it's "a graphic movie for adults, no question," but "Pulp Fiction" is his favorite Travolta film.

"His character brings a certain levity to the world in that movie and that's something I resonate with," Dalton said.

The big screen isn't the only place to find the talented Shotwell family. Dalton, Jenny, Clark and Skye will be delivering holiday magic directly to the Lake City as the stars of "Let It Snow: Coeur d'Alene's Christmas Show," which opens at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the Shore Room of The Coeur d'Alene Resort.

The holiday cabaret will feature a full live band, with music, storytelling and family moments blending throughout an evening of warmth and nostalgia.

Jenny and Dalton, who produce the show, have been working on it since February, and the kids have been rehearsing their music since mid-summer. 

"Their hard work is paying off," Jenny said.

This year's show will delve into Coeur d'Alene's Christmas traditions and stories from the 1950s.

"We look at music, food, parties and the stolen trees — you have to come to hear about that one! — in this time period," Jenny said.

The central theme of the show is the consistent generosity and goodwill of this community, she said.

"Our time looking back in the history of Coeur d'Alene has shown this is not unique to today, but a hallmark of this community throughout its many years," Jenny said.

For the Shotwell family to get to perform for the community is a giant blessing, she said.

"In years to come, I'm sure we'll remember the arguments and the crazy nights and the 'gotta do it anyway, sorry you're feeling sick!' but at the heart of it, we'll remember we did it together," Jenny said.

"It's a tremendous honor to represent the history of this community at the absolute best time of the year," she continued. "We hope we honor that responsibility with a fun night of music and stories — and cute kids — and we hope you all will come!"

"Let It Snow" runs through Dec. 21, Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 5 p.m. Tickets are $35.

Tickets and info: cdaresort.com/christmas-show.

*** This story has been edited to reflect that Pulp Fiction is Dalton's favorite John Travolta movie, not Clark's.

    Clark Shotwell, 10, of Dalton Gardens, sits in John Travolta's director chair on the set of "Propeller One-Way Night Coach," a film inspired by aviation experiences from Travolta's boyhood. Clark was selected by Travolta to play a young version of him in the film.
  

    The Shotwell family will star in "Let It Snow: Coeur d’Alene’s Christmas Show," opening Friday at The Coeur d'Alene Resort. From left: Daughter Skye, mom Jenny, dad Dalton and son Clark.