Elgin High School presents production of Neil Simon farce

In an age where basic education and knowledge are expected and promoted, Elgin High School students take on the challenge of faking stupidity as cursed rural townspeople in their production of Neil Simon's "Fools."

"I'm taking it as a good omen," said director Susan Costello. "I inherited this play when I was hired, and my first play at my old school was a Neil Simon play, and I also inherited that one."

With a cast of 12 young actors, the students have used their chemistry on and off the stage to create a show that's fun to watch as well as fun to produce.

"I love the people doing the play," said senior Nick Fayette, who plays the town magistrate. "A lot are friends who have been doing shows at Elgin for a long time."

The cast's strong bond has helped create a whimsical atmosphere for a farcical play that talks about love, choices, and willpower.

"Fools" tells the tale of Leon Tolchinsky's arrival in a small Ukrainian village, hired by a doctor to educate his daughter, Sophia. However, the doctor and his family live in a town that is under a 200-year curse of stupidity, where people lack even basic knowledge, or the comprehension to understand the concept of love.

Leon falls in love with Sophia, who is unable to return the sentiment, and finds out he has a choice: Sophia can break the curse by marrying the villainous Count Gregor, or Leon has 24 hours to educate her before he, too, falls victim to the curse.

The play was first performed in 1983, running only 40 shows. Today, its fairytale romance, curse, and one-of-a-kind characters continue to attract audiences and actors alike.

The actors, crew, and director all feel the magic of "Fools." Everyone is working hard to put together a show they can be proud of. For student director Abby Mungai, seeing how far the show has come is important.

"I get to be here every day and see how it all progresses," said Mungai, sophomore. "When the finished product comes I know how it looked from the first day."

The cast has worked especially hard on creating unique characters. Senior Wyath Bednar plays the scheming Count Gregor, and his influence came from a famous movie villain.

"It's a cool role to play, and it's the classic villain type," said Bednar. "I actually modeled it off Hedley Lamarr from 'Blazing Saddles.'"

Senior Katie Fenton says that her role as Sophia is fun and "ditsy," but there are also aspects to be taken seriously.

"I have to be careful of overdoing it, because Sophia has good ideas," said Fenton. "When she says them, she doesn't understand what she's saying, but she's not an airhead."

With all the talk of villians, curses, and true love, Costello points out that the plot has the elements of a fairy tale story, which is great for younger viewers. For adults, the farcical elements turn the play into a comedy as well.

The show is one for all ages, explains Costello, and it has "all kinds of wisdom." The "colorful" characters and fairy tale elements bring out the best in audience members of any age, and it brings out colorful personalities in the cast as well.

"The chemistry carries over (to the stage)," said Costello. "When the cast has fun, the audience has fun."

<p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p> <p class="News"><b>What:</b> Elgin High School production of "Fools"</p> <p class="News"><b>When:</b> 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Oct. 29 and 30; noon Saturday, Oct. 31</p> <p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Elgin High School, 1200 Maroon Drive, Elgin</p> <p class="News"><b>Tickets:</b> $5 for adults, $4 for students</p> <p class="News"><b>Details:</b> Call (847) 888-5101</p>