Presenting three one-act plays in Madison-Plains High School’s Winter Showcase are: (front row, from left) Dani Breen, Amber Massie, John Bollinger; (back row) Owen Phillips, Sara Hoop, Rebecca Breen, Ben Butz, and Josh Warnock. Not pictured: Bryce Boone.
(Posted Feb. 15, 2017)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
Madison-Plains High School’s drama department is offering a three-for-one deal on comedic performances.
For one admission price, patrons get to enjoy three, short one-act plays in the department’s annual Winter Showcase. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Feb. 26 and 1 p.m. Feb. 27. Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for students and senior citizens.
“With each of the plays, you get very different stories, and they play with all of your emotional strings,” said sophomore Sara Hoop.
The first play on the bill is “The Philadelphia” by David Ivies. Director Scott Spohler describes the story as a modern day “Twilight Zone” episode.
“You wake up in an alternative world. It’s still today and it’s still New York City, but everything that could go wrong, does go wrong. Whatever you want, you can’t get,” he said.
Populating this alternative world are Ben Butz as Marcus, Bryce Boone as Al, and Rebecca Breen as the waitress.
This marks Breen’s first time on stage.
“My friends have always been in the plays, so I thought I’d try it out,” said the senior. “I’ve never done anything like this before. I just really think it’s a neat experience.”
The second play is “Less Said the Better” by Jason Milligan. In it, two inept mobster hitmen are stuck working on New Year’s Eve. They face a dilemma—do they whack their mark or not? Their mark—the boss’s wife.
Delivering this hilarious bit of comedy are Owen Phillips as Sammy, Sara Hoop as Roxie, and Dani Breen as Clarice.
“The Diaries of Adam and Eve” rounds out the trio of performances. Written by Mark Twain and adapted by David Birney, the play follows Twain’s courtship with his wife, using the story of Adam and Eve as the framework.
“Initially, the two characters are naive about the world, but then you watch them grow as individuals and then as a couple,” Spohler said.
Two seniors, veterans of the drama program, fill the roles—Amber Massie as Eve and John Bollinger as Adam.
In addition to the public performances on Feb. 26-27, the students will perform the three plays for their fellow students in-school on Feb. 25. Josh Warnock serves as the understudy for all three plays.
Madison-Plains High School is located at 800 Linson Road, London. For more information, call (740) 852-0364.
