News

Batavia students to present 'Boys Next Door'

Posted November 05, 2008 10:00 pm

By Sammi King

Batavia High School student Dan Bach, playing group home resident Lucien P. Smith, hides a bag of charcoal briquettes under his shirt during rehearsal of "The Boys Next Door." John Starks | Staff Photographer

It has "Pardon me for giggling" lines, "belly busting laugh out loud" comedy and "melt your heart" gentle moments.

It can bring a tear to your eye and a smile to your face in a matter of seconds.

"The Boys Next Door," a dramatic comedy, takes the stage in the Batavia High School cafeteria this weekend. The play centers on four mentally challenged men who live together in a group home and the social worker who works with them.

"It's a home run of a play," said the director, Joshua Casburn. "It is so well written. There are lots of very funny lines and plenty of physical comedy.".

There are animal puppets, doughnut tosses and soap suds chases - all things that might be appealing to kids. However, this isn't a kids play. Casburn recommends the play for youngsters third grade and up.

In a play of this nature there can be a fine line between mockery and characterizations. To make sure that the actors understood how to sensitively approach their roles and not fall into stereotypes, Casburn arranged for the students to spend some time with some residents from Marklund in Mill Creek.

Marklund came to the area six years ago. It serves individuals with severe and profound developmental disabilities through 24-hour care from nursing, to educational and therapeutic programs.

Marklund began when one loving and devoted nurse, Claire Haverkampf, agreed to foster a tiny baby born with Down syndrome and cardiac complications. The Haverkampf family welcomed additional children with developmental disabilities into their home over the years until it was decided that a larger facility was needed.

Today, Marklund has locations throughout the Chicago land area and serves hundreds of residents.

For Liz Greiwie, who plays the part of Jackie the social worker in "The Boys Next Door," the Marklund experience was very beneficial.

"It was really a lot of fun to go to Marklund," said Greiwie. "We were able to relate to the residents and enjoy being with them. In fact, some of us are going back to visit with them again."

The play has had a profound impact on Greiwie. It is an experience that she will take with her in life.

"I have learned so much from this play," she said. "Hopefully the audience will be able to have a similar experience with this play - a better understanding of those who are developmentally disabled."

For Dan Bach, a senior who plays the part of Lucien, just being on stage is a new experience.

"This is my very first play," he said. " When they started talking about the "blocking" I had no idea what that was."

"I think he thought of blocking in football since he had been involved in sports," added. Casburn

Bach has learned all about learning lines, reacting to other actors and moving across the stage. He also came away from the Marklund visit with a positive feeling.

"They aren't empty shells of people who can't express themselves," said Bach. "They do communicate well, just not in perfectly constructed sentences."

Vickie Krystof, a staff member at Marklund, said she was very happy that the Batavia High School students connected with the residents.

"Hopefully they have learned how to become friends with our residents and not become intimidated by their disabilities," she added.

Since the characters in 'The Boys Next Door" live in their own worlds, it might seem intrusive for the audience to watch and laugh with them. However, the play shows both audience and cast share the happiness, sadness, and frustrations of life.

"Everyone on the stage has learned from this experience," said Dan Bach. "Hopefully, it will be a good experience for the audience as well."

If You Go

What: "The Boys Next Door" by Tom Griffin

Where: Batavia High School

When: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7 and 8; 2 p.m. Nov. 9

Tickets: $6; call the ticket hotline at (630) 937-8600, ext. 7949

Who's Who in the Cast

Arnold Wiggens: Griffin Price

Norman Bulansky: Tyler Spitz

Lucien P.Smith: Dan Bach

Barry Kemper: Peter DeJongh

Jackie: Liz Greiwie

Sheila: Darcy Coussens

Mr.Klemper: Michael Smith

Mr. Hedges: Will Deuerling

Mrs. Warren: Hannah Kettering

Mrs Fremus: Autumn McGarr

Clara: Lizzie Bertness

Senator Clarke: Kassandra Di Nardo

Mr. Corbin: Alex Santoro

Program Coordinator: Hannah Bishop

Ensemble: Will Burdin

Tyler Spitz, left, playing Norman Bulansky, and Griffin Price as Arnold Wiggins, during Batavia High School student's rehearsal of "The Boys Next Door." John Starks | Staff Photographer

Batavia High School sophomore Liz Greiwe, 16, works with resident Sharon to color in a Thanksgiving turkey craft during a visit to Marklund. Mary Beth Nolan | Staff Photographer

Marklund resident Jack H. gets an assist from Batavia junior Griffin Price during a visit to Marklund. Price is part of the high school production of "The Boys Next Door," a play about disabled people. Mary Beth Nolan | Staff Photographer

Batavia High School student Peter DeJongh, playing the part of Barry Klemper, a group home resident who thinks he is a professional golfer, on stage with Will Deuerling playing the part of Mr. Hedges. The Batavia students perform "The Boys Next Door" starting Nov. 6. John Starks | Staff Photographer

Batavia junior Tyler Spitz, 16, and Marklund resident Lesa U. take a turn playing a game at a recent birthday party at Marklund in Geneva. Mary Beth Nolan | Staff Photographer

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