Come and get your 'Nerd' on

To close out their season of comedy, Willowbrook High School theater students will appeal to both children and grown-ups this week with slapstick-but-subtle humor in "The Nerd."

The seven-student cast has been rehearsing since early March for the play, which follows the character Willum Cuthbert, an aspiring young architect who appears to have it all.

But when a fellow ex-GI who saved his life attends his 34th birthday party, Cuthbert's delight soon fades. The humor comes out as the party guests launch a plan to get the nerd out of the house.

Director and English teacher Terri Miller says the play is a perfect choice to draw audiences because it's family-friendly.

"Kids will enjoy the over-the-top humor and characterizations of the nerd, but adults will get the hidden jokes throughout," Miller said.

Although the play was written in the '80s, Miller and the students edited the script to include modern pop culture and historical references, including mentions of the Iraq War and supermodel Tyra Banks.

Miller said the cast has enjoyed learning not just their lines, but how to bring humor with their bodies.

"We discover something new each time because it's such a physical comedy," she said. "We've just had such fun with it."

Students performing in "The Nerd" are: Tyler Baumann, Stephen Boyer, Hayley Camire, Jake Carr, Carlos Kmet, Elaine Schaudt and Devinne Stevens.

Crew members are: Robert Binder, Melanie Camire, Kenya Horton, Vanessa King, Brendon Martin, Adam Daniel-Wayman and Mariah Williamson.

If you go

"The Nerd"

When:7 p.m. tonight, Friday and Saturday

Where: Willowbrook High School Doris E. White Auditorium, 1250 S. Ardmore Ave., Villa Park

Cost: $5 for adults, $4 for students and children, $2 for students with a school activity pass, and free for senior citizens with a District 88 Gold Card

Details: (630) 782-2855