Palatine High brings 'Noises Off' to the stage

Posted September 25, 2016 11:00 pm

Submitted by Jessica Means

The members of "Noises Off" look for Brooke's lost contact; she's played by Brontë Phipps. Also shown are Molly Mensch, Keely McEnery, Tyrus Angeles, Mary Clare Hake, Jakob Reitsma, Gabriel Minchev and Danny Hollander. Courtesy of Silvia Astudillo

Palatine High School brings the British comedy "Noises Off" by Michael Frayn to life on stage in October.

Called one of the funniest plays ever written, this production shows a troupe of traveling actors who try - without success - to put on a play called "Nothing On."

"As audience members watch the show, they will see how personal conflicts and misunderstandings lead to complete mayhem as the actors sabotage the performance," said Jessica Means, who codirects the production with Doug Gross.

"The physical comedy and characterization expectations are challenging. Our students are pushed to their limits and are rising to the occasion."

This is their 10th production working as a team. "Noises Off" was chosen because it is Doug Gross's favorite play; he performed the role of the elderly drunkard, Selsdon, in his college years.

"The audience will laugh so hard they'll cry," Gross said. "Everyone who sees it leaves thinking this is one of their favorite plays, even if they don't like plays!"

Performances will be held in the Palatine High School Altergott Auditorium at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, through Saturday, Oct. 8. There also will be a 2 p.m. Saturday matinee.

Tickets are $7 and can be purchased at the door or in the Palatine High School main office beginning Oct. 3.

The show features a cast of nine students: Mary Clare Hake, Keely McEnry, Gabriel Minchev, Bob Di Leo, Brontë Phipps, Tyrus Angeles, Danny Hollander, Jakob Reitsma and Molly Mensch.

Belinda, played by Keely McEnery, comforts Freddie, played by Tyrus Angeles, as he recovers from a sudden nosebleed. Courtesy of Silvia Astudillo

The director, Lloyd, played by Danny Hollander, stops the show to explain to Dotty, played by Mary Clare Hake, the importance of carrying the correct prop. Courtesy of Silvia Astudillo

The full cast, with understudies, of "Noises Off" at Palatine High School is: Molly Mensch, Tyrus Angeles, John Delaney, Emmi Antonik, Mary Clare Hake, Keely McEnery, Jakob Reitsma, Brontë Phipps, Bob DiLeo, Faith Koenig, Gabriel Minchev, Danny Hollander. Courtesy of Silvia Astudillo

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