Neuqua Valley Theatre drama to explore 'Things Not to Do' Nov. 14-16
Neuqua Valley Theatre will presents "Things to Not Do" at 7 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, Nov. 14-16, in the auditorium at Neuqua Valley High School, 2360 95th St. in Naperville. Tickets are $11 or $7 for students.
"Things To Not Do" is a full-length play written and directed by Will Schaub, a Neuqua Valley teacher. It follows the lives of 12 high school students over the course of a school year at fictional Lincoln High. It explores aspects of being a modern day teen with all of the confusion, humor, drama, trepidation, and self-discovery that it entails. It is a contemporary update on the cultural and social minefield that is high school.
Carmelo is paralyzed by the allure of the girl's thong who sits in front of him in Mr. Nesbit's class. If he could only muster the courage to say hello. Kendal is dating the best catch at Lincoln High but beginning to chafe at the limitations of the relationship. Rashaad is determined to get a girlfriend- and has a bulletproof plan for success. Alex dreams of simply being in the same room with a girl without his sweat glands going into overdrive. Angela has a dark past that she would give anything undo. Mitch has his own secret that he's just trying to keep buried until graduation- and freedom. Lars, who has Asperger's syndrome, is doing his best to avoid social gaffes and fit himself into the neuro-typical world of high school. Sammi is hopelessly crushing on the girl of her dreams, and Marvin can't do anything to convince her that she's barking up the wrong tree. And "The Mellow Man," the school radio station DJ, provides a narrative and philosophical throughline as well as the essential high school soundtrack.
By the end of the last act, "Things To Not Do" examines issues of relationships, gender identity, sexual orientation, loyalty, conformity, depression, kindness, and self-acceptance. It's comedic, dramatic, relatable for today's youth, yet sprinkled with a touch of magical realism. If there's an identifiable moral, it might be: No matter how much crap life throws your way, never stop being you.
The play may not be suitable for younger audiences. The content includes adult themes and topics.
The cast includes: Kayla Licitra as Sammi; Khalid Hamdan as Marvin; Chloe Kallberg as Kendal; Graham Onley as Lars; David Mullons as Carmelo; Amanda Murray as Darcy; Kashaad Gaskin as Rashi; Kylie Pickering as Angela; Michael LeShock as Mitch; Lukas Wenz as Connor; Aidan Brantley as Alex; Addison Kaser as Louise; and the Fly Girls: Lexi Aven, Reese Brosnan, Kimmia Fotovat, Lora Nwanesi, Sara Richter, Nazzi Scott, Aanya Sood and Allison Vojcak.
For tickets, visit www.nvhstheatre.com. Limited tickets paid by cash or check will be available at the door each night.