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Messenger photos by John Matuszak
Eastmoor Academy High School students Jude DuPart and Jamilah Pitts try to make a connection in "The Sure Thing," and Shameaca Moore, left, and Shadae Howard enjoy a gossip session in "So Tell Me About the Guy," two of the eight short comedies being staged as part of "All in the Timing"Nov. 1-3. |
The performers of Eastmoor Academy High School’s theatre department know that, when it comes to comedy, it’s "All in the Timing."
And that is the title of their next production, a collection of eight short comedies, being staged Nov. 1-3 at 7:30 pm. in the auditorium at 417 S. Weyant Ave. Tickets for the production are $5.
The young thespians are enjoying putting across humorous situations, after staging such heavy dramas as "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf."
And the situations portrayed are things that everybody can relate to, from dating mishaps to gossip, commented DeShawn Brunner.
The production includes "Sure Thing," about a man who can do no wrong when picking up a woman.
"Philadelphia" depicts a young man stuck in a world where he cannot get what he wants and everything is backwards.
In "Variations on the Death of Trotsky," the Russian revolutionary dies again and again.
"Philip Glass Buys a Loaf of Bread," follows the minimalist composer as he orchestrates simple dialogue into a musical performance.
In "So Tell Me About This Guy," two girls discuss the odd behavior of a new man.
"Intermission" is about a new Broadway playwright who is nervous about his play’s premiere, particularly since it involves an ex-girlfriend.
"Scruples" follows three female leg models as they prepare for a pantyhose commercial.
After the success of the school’s production of "School House Rock Live!" last year, there was so much interest and so many students auditioning for the current show that director Seth Harms had to add one play to the program.
"All in the Timing" features 21 performers and uses nine crew members.
The cast includes students who have appeared in previous productions, and some newcomers.
Kari Hunter has performed in "For Colored Girls…," "School House Rock" and "Grease."
While she has mostly performed musical numbers or monologues in the earlier productions, Hunter said she is enjoying learning how to perform dialogue with another actor.
Hunter has taken the term "break a leg" almost to extremes, having sustained leg injuries at home. But she is gamely carrying on the other theatre tradition of "the show must go on."
Gina Le, an Eastmoor senior, is performing in her first play here, and said she wanted to try something different.
Brunner had worked on the stage crew and decided to step from behind the scenes for this show.
"I don’t get nervous," he said.
Harms is expecting even more interest in the school’s winter musical "The Wiz," an Eastmoor tradition staged every four years. This production will be staged Feb. 27-29.
By announcing the pre-production meeting in the school newsletter, and holding the meeting during the regular schedule instead of after school, Harms attracted 130 students who wanted information about participating.
He will be able to cast between 50 and 70 of those. In addition, elementary school students will be able to audition as Munchkins.
Those who want to audition can contact Harms at 365-6158.
