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November 11, 2004
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November 11, 2004 |
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Actors face ‘adventure’ in YSHS fall production
“Dramatic and funny at the same time.” “A little bit twisted.” “A sophisticated version of drag.” “A comedic mystery of passion immersed in baffling and diabolical verbage.” These are some of the ways that Yellow Springs High School Drama Club members describe their fall play, Bull in a China Shop, which they will present this weekend and next at the Mills Lawn auditorium. The play opens Saturday, Nov. 13, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 14, 2 p.m. The play will also be performed Thursday–Saturday, Nov. 18–20, 8 p.m., and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 21. Written by G.B. Gilford, Bull in a China Shop tells the story of six elderly women who hatch an unusual plan for meeting their attractive male neighbor, who happens to be a homicide detective. A press release on the production says, “Murder is committed, many smart-aleck comments are made and the identity of the metaphoric ‘bull’ remains elusive to the end.” Glenn Reed plays the detective, with Charlie Cromer as his sidekick. The elderly women are played by Toby Cromer, Aaron Zaremsky, Abeo Miller, Joey Lurie, Miriam Barcus and Mary Hyde. Laura Garcia plays a reporter. In addition, Pete Lovering, Sam Borchers and Kyle McEvoy are in the production. Maddie Welsh is the stage manager, with help from Niquelle Orr, and technical support is provided by Evan Gerthoffer and Erin Silvert-Noftle with lighting, and Alban Holyoke, India Scarver and Claire Triplett with sound. Dylan Clonch, Maggie Krabec, Laura Hyde and Kayla Graham are the backstage crew. Cody Andrews, Dylan Clonch, Dylan Sage, Simon Freeman and Olivia Smith worked on set construction, and Seiko Yamashita, Michelle Click, Laurie Burschberg and Silvert-Noftle are doing makeup. Hallie Cranos is working with costumes, Laura Hyde, Cait Bothwell and Amelia Tarpey handle publicity, and Cooper Fleishman made the production’s program. Bull in a China Shop is the first Drama Club production directed by Mary Kay Clark, a recent arrival in Yellow Springs. From the Detroit area, Clark worked for 10 years developing a community theater in Novi, Mich. She likes to act as well as direct, she said, and is especially enjoying directing Yellow Springs young people. “I’m loving it,” she said. “The kids here are so talented. Many have experience from the Yellow Springs Kids Playhouse, and it shows. They’re unbelievable in how they bring out their characters.” After being hired to direct the fall play, Clark gave the students several potential plays that they could perform, leaving the final decision up to the young people. She said that she enjoys empowering youth and has encouraged them to contribute their own thinking to the play. “I’m open to the kids’ ideas,” she said. “I told them that if they had suggestions we’d discuss them and put them in. They’ve come up with some good ideas.” The students enthusiastically embraced Clark’s suggestion that four of the “old maid” roles be played by males, and at a recent rehearsal the boys emerged for the first time in their high heels, wigs and dresses or gowns. What is it like to perform in drag? “Tedious,” Toby Cromer said, as he adjusted his curly grey wig. “It takes a good bit of effort to be an old woman.” For young people, it takes a good bit of effort to look old as well, and Clark hosted a makeup workshop to show the young actors how to use powder, base and dark pencils to create the desired effect. Beyond that, the students said, they brought to the play their own interpretations of the aging process. “It’s quite an adventure to be old,” Miriam Barcus said. Yellow Springers are invited to share in the adventure. Tickets for Bull in a China Shop are priced at $7 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 767-1105.
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