Waubonsie Valley's 'Nit Wits' wants you rolling in the aisle
Having tackled the dark "Crucible" last fall, Waubonsie Valley High School Director Dave Calvert felt the theater department and community at large needed a good laugh.
So beginning tonight and continuing through the weekend, about 50 Waubonsie students will present "The Nit Wits," a Glenn Hughes farce about the everyday life of normal people acting abnormal.
The lead character, Tommy Winters, desperate for college money, advertises himself as a psychologist for those afraid of losing their minds. He's not prepared for the response his ad gets and he struggles to get his life back under control.
"I was looking for something a little lighter this year when I stumbled on 'The Nit Wits,'" Calvert said. "I lost count of how many times I laughed out loud the first time I read it."
The farce, he said, is one of so few that meet the challenging demands of all facet's of the theater department.
"The play presents very exaggerated characters and an opportunity for the student actors to tackle the challenge of portraying multiple characters," Calvert said. "And it requires a very challenging set with multiple stories and moving parts that proved to be pretty demanding for our tech kids."
Production assistant Joe Robinson III, a senior, said the production's humor has actually been a challenge throughout the practice sessions.
"You know, you get a play this funny and it's still a challenge for everyone to keep the humor levels up after rehearsing so many times," Robinson said. "But I think this group is going to nail it. They've been keeping it funny throughout."
Senior Henry McGinniss, who plays Tommy Winters, was excited to learn he got the lead role despite not having much comedy experience.
"This production is so ridiculous and over-exagerated that the audiences will have no choice but to roll in the aisles," he said. "I think they're really just going to enjoy seeing variety of actors bringing these crazy characters to life."
Senior Antoinette Konow also was excited to start her senior year with a "fun show."
Konow plays mental patient Constance Dinwiddie, who she described as "a young lady starved for affection; a librarian with a wild side."
"There's a lot of physical humor here, very slapstickish," she said. "So the audience better be prepared for characters coming from everywhere."
If You Go
What: "The Nit Wits"
When: 7:30 p.m. today through Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday
Where: Waubonsie Valley High School Auditorium, 2590 Ogden Ave.
Tickets: $6 for adults, $5 for students and seniors
Info: (630) 375-3300 or www.ipsd.org
'Nit Wits' cast
Tommy Winter: Henry McGinniss
Emily Winter: Samantha Fuchs
William Winter: Alan Bringman
Steve Grinnell: Ronnie Lyall
Nellie: Samantha Tofanelli
Aunt Wendy: Nicole Clauson
Jean Hammond: Kelsey Kacz
Lou Prentice: Kat Lukes
Cindy Baker: Angela DePizzo
Constance Dinwiddie: Antionette Konow
Henry Short: Dileep Mandali
T.T. Trumbull: Alex Knightwright
Maude Middleotn: Eileen Shaughnessy
Bert Baxter: Patrick Styer
SallyJean Gould: Sarah Herr
Milton Greer: Chris Puchi
Madeline Short: Zoe Ziemkiewicz
Asylum Guard #1: Jose Ferrel, Jr.
Asylum Guard #2: Martin Petraitis
Police Officer #1: Dustin Barbre
Police Officer #2: Tarek Fayoumi
Girl Scout Suzi: Tori Buchholz
Party Guests: Jenny Peterman, Sarah Torrico, Suwadi Macintire, Rachel West, Iris Lee, Rachel Nicinski, Rich Blackman, Randy Boyd, Mickayla Bentson, Stephanie Honn, Jacob Conner, Matthew Lenerville, Sarah Vaughn, Shelby Bias
Director: David Calvert
Assistant Director: Debra Peplow