Naperville N. to stage 'George Washington Slept Here'
Naperville North is aiming for a trifecta with its latest play.
Students are taking to the stage this weekend to perform "George Washington Slept Here," the school's third George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart comedy in recent years.
The show begins at 7 p.m. today and Friday, April 29 and 30, at the school, 899 N. Mill St. There are also shows at 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, May 1. Tickets are $7 for adults, $6 for students and seniors.
"George Washington Slept Here" tells the tale of Newton and Annabelle Fuller, who move their family to a rundown house in the country. As the play's title suggests, Newton, a history buff, is drawn to the house because he has heard that George Washington once slept in it. Naturally, chaos ensues.
"There's a lot of physical humor which is Marx Brothers-ish," Director Bill Burghardt said. "Fireplace dumps soot on the face, people running around, hurricanes coming unexpectedly. Things get topsy turvy."
The play was written in the 1940s so some of the references are a bit outdated. To help the audience relate, the cast dropped in mentions of President Barack Obama, Google Earth, Oprah and Whoopi Goldberg.
Just last spring, North also put on the well-received Kaufman and Hart play, "The Man Who Came to Dinner," and also tackled "You Can't Take it With You" in 2004.
Burghardt didn't want an A and B cast this time around, so he jumbled them. Two actors were cast for most parts, but there will be different combinations of actors in each of the four shows.
For junior Jon Stricker, playing Newton Fuller - whom he calls a "bright-eyed optimist" - isn't much of a stretch from real life. But playing his part with different actors each time is a challenge.
"It helps you read people's movement on stage," he said. "If you see someone moving somewhere, you understand why they're going there and you're not just following blocking someone gives you because it's different every time."
For close friends Nora Laidman and Olivia Bagan, having two casts - even if they're scrambled - was a relief since they both get a lead role as Annabelle Fuller. Laidman said the two friends have enjoyed working on interpreting the character together, although each is are playing her a little differently - Laidman's Annabelle is a little more zany, while Bagan's is more realistic.
"I like the fact that it's twisting with fate," Laidman said of acting. "It's getting to put someone in a moment of life and you're a totally new person and you're breathing life into someone new."
Alex Bauer and Mike Devane are each playing Mr. Kimber, the house's caretaker, a little differently too. Bauer's Kimber will have an Australian accent while Devane's will be Southern.
Bauer said playing the character, an idealist, has taken him out of his comfort zone and he thinks the audience will enjoy what they see.
"It's not like Shakespeare where it's difficult to understand," he said. "It's a simple story with characters we can all relate to."
'Washington' castMost roles are shared by two cast membersNewton Fuller: Jon Sticker, Andrew Stachurski Annabelle Fuller: Olivia Bagan, Nora Laidman Madge Fuller: Kristy Stolic, Rose Grizzell Steve Eldridge: Devontae Weaver, Harry Gollakota Mr. Kimber: Mike Devane, Alec BauerKatie: Molly CisnerosMrs. Douglas: Ali Wojcikiewicz, Carleigh TurnerClayton Evans: Ryan CapRena Leslie: Julie Van De Wille, Betsy PilonHester: Carleigh Turner, Ali WojcikiewiczRaymond: Adam BevelMr. Prescott: Matt WendtUncle Stanley: Peter Sargent, Scott MyersTommy Hughes: Dion McNealSue Barrington: Sierra DeMonte, Meredith ShadleMarian Wilcox: Meredith Shadle, Sierra DiMonteProduction staffDirector: Bill BurghardtAssistant director: Nick BenderStudent production managers: Stephanie Svarz, Alaina WisFalse20001406Jon Stricker, left, Molly Cisneros and Nora Laidman rehearse "George Washington Slept Here" at Naperville North High School. The play is the third by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart that North has tackled in recent years.Bev Horne | Staff PhotographerFalse <p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p><p class="News"><b>What:</b> "George Washington Slept Here"</p><p class="News"><b>When:</b> 7 p.m. today and Friday, April 29 and 30; 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, May 1</p><p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Naperville North High School, 899 N. Mill St.</p><p class="News"><b>Tickets:</b> $6 for students and seniors, $7 for adults</p><p class="News"><b>Info:</b> (630) 420-6480</p>