“Sixteen girls, one dream…” catch phrase for the Live Oak
Drama Guild’s next production – Stage Door – opening Thursday, Dec.
4.
“Sixteen girls, one dream…” catch phrase for the Live Oak Drama Guild’s next production – Stage Door – opening Thursday, Dec. 4.
The play takes place in the 1930’s and centers on the lives of a group of aspiring actresses living together in New York City. The story follows the trials and tribulations of the girls as they try to make it big on Broadway.
“It’s a side of acting you don’t expect to see,” says junior Cheryle Honerlah who plays the role of Mrs. Shaw.
The story focuses on actress Terry Randall, played by senior Jacqueline Mazzarella. Unlike her fellow actresses such as Jean Maitland, played by junior Shelby Peschke, and her writer boyfriend, Keith Bergess, played by senior Billy Lewis, Terry resists the urge to “go Hollywood” because she wants to remain a theater actress.
“Not just a chick flick, it [Stage Door] is a very powerful moving show about people who do things they wouldn’t normally do,” said Peschke.
“Live Oak acting at it’s best,” adds Lewis.
As the show goes through its last dress rehearsals, a definite bond can be seen between the entire cast as they come together to finalize the production.
“It’s a great show; everyone has worked really hard, I’m proud of everyone,” says junior Megan Hamilton, a member of the show’s technical crew.
The Live Oak Drama Guild prides itself on student administration and Stage Door is no exception. Except for the director, all administration jobs are student run. This includes everyone from the assistant director, senior Kathryn Bauman and the stage manager, senior Yasser Elassal, to the house manager, senior Alika Spencer. Stage Door’s director C.W. Klipstine uses the word ‘professionalism’ constantly.
“I just think it’s really neat to see a cast like this put on a period piece with such enthusiasm,” says Loren Lewandowski, the character development manager.
The show is also a change of pace for the technical crew, as the set requires no scene changes and little special effects.
“Not very tech intensive,” says Elassal, “but because of that it gave us the opportunity to create a single interior set with lots of detail and three dimensions.”
Many of the actors are excited to be opening soon, and they are busy publicizing Stage Door as much as they can.
“Wonderfully powerful performance that portrays the hardships of actresses on the 1930’s,” says junior Spencer Salburg who plays the role of Lou Milhauser, and to quote junior Natasha Price, who plays the role of Linda Shaw, “It will take you from tears to laughter in seconds.”
Stage Door will be performed in the Live Oak High School Little Theater, near the student parking lot at 1505 East Main Ave., Thursday, Dec. 4, at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Dec. 5-6, at 8 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 11 and 12, at 7:30 p.m. and Friday, Dec. 12 at 8 p.m. There will be no show on Saturday, Dec. 13. Tickets are $5 at the door.
