Play preparation
From left, Bobby Scott, Jimmie Carroll, Catie Fluharty, Larry Ferguson and Alexa Butcher rehearse for the Avella Area Jr./Sr. High School production of “I’ll Get My Man.”
From left, Bobby Scott, Jimmie Carroll, Catie Fluharty, Larry Ferguson and Alexa Butcher rehearse for the Avella Area Jr./Sr. High School production of “I’ll Get My Man.”
Theater season started once again at Avella Area Jr./Sr. High School, and the dedicated drama department is excited to bring their newest show to life. They will be debuting a farce by playwright, Philip King entitled “I’ll Get My Man.” With the help of producer Lynn Clarchick and the guidance of first-time director Debora Descutner, the play is coming along well and production is running smooth.
Despite the fact Descutner never directed before, she was not afraid to take on a challenge, mostly because of her involvement with Avella productions since 2003. During her time working production at Avella, Descutner had roles as stage manager, costume designer, prop master, choreographer and producer as well as performed on her own time with local theaters. Descutner said she was “excited, anxious and ready to start the process” after accepting the position as director. The process has long since begun.
“I’ll Get My Man” was selected after a few weeks of play searching, but once it was found, Descutner knew it would make the perfect performance. She decided on this show because it “highlights each cast member’s talent, has a lot of different elements and allows people to laugh at their own insecurities.”
“I’ll Get My Man,” is a three-act comedy set in the 1960’s which takes place on a vicarage in a British village known as Stebbington-Fawley. The play opens with conversations between naive, dull-witted vicar, Arthur Humphrey, his uptight, spinster sister, Harriette, and snarky, love-struck housekeeper, Mrs. Carter. It is soon discovered Humphrey and Harriette are uncle and aunt to famous and irresistible television star, Peter “Venture Man” Graham, who is also the source of Mrs. Carter’s adoration. After growing tired of women constantly chasing after him, Peter seeks refuge at his uncle’s vicarage right around the time Humphrey makes a decision out of desperation and misinterpreted persuasion. However, Peter’s coming and one mistake on Humphrey’s part leads to the arrival of many new “guests,” confusion, and a life more hectic than the one Peter was trying to escape.
Everyone involved in Avella’s production is working hard and much has been accomplished, but there is still more work to do before opening night. Performances take place at 7:30 p.m. March 20 and at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. March 21 at Avella High School. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for students.
When the audience arrives, Avella’s thespians will be ready. The cast and crew will do everything they can to bring the house down and make the show unforgettable because they all agree every hour of rehearsal is paid off with the first laugh of the crowd.
As for Descutner, when asked her thoughts on production and hopes for the show overall, she had much to say. “I could not have asked for a better cast” she shared. “As a director, the vision I have for the play can come to life because the cast sees that vision [and allows] the play’s intricacies to bloom” Descutner explained. She went on to describe each production as a journey that could not succeed without every person involved. “The production is only as good as the bond,” Descutner concluded, “and it is safe to say that we all have a pretty strong bond.”