RHS Presents the Fall Drama "Play On"

By Patricia Blanchard, RHS Vocal Music Teacher

Rutherford High School is proud to present Play On! by Rick Abbot as our Fall Drama. Play On! is the hilarious story of a theatre group trying desperately to put on a play in spite of maddening interference from a haughty author who keeps revising the script. Act I is a rehearsal of the dreadful show, Act II is the near disastrous dress rehearsal, and the final act is the actual performance, in which anything that can go wrong, does!

The show features Nico Schumacher as director Gerry Dunbar, Jenna Marinelli as stage manager Aggie Manville, Erin Ahearn as sound technician Louise Peary, and Audrey Segedin as the playwright Phyllis Montague. Marina Faltaaws doubles as Polly and Lady Margaret, Sami Abauad plays both Henri and Lord Dudley, Stella Abauad doubles as Saul Watson and Doctor Rex Forbes, Nick Cimillo plays both Billy Carewe and Stephen Sellers, Eleri McGregor stars as Violet Imbry and Diana Lasiter, and Isabella Claveria plays the roles of Smitty and Doris, the maid.

This play was extremely challenging for the actors because they were called upon to play dual roles, and thus, had to create mannerisms for both characters. The actors also had to speak with a British accent for their “play” characters. Switching from one voice to another while keeping the “spirit” of the character in place was an added adversity. Finally, the play also tested each actors’ comedic abilities because there are some very funny moments in the show. Hopefully, you will come out to support our fabulous team and everyone who has worked so hard over the past several months to make this show a success.

The play will be presented in the RHS auditorium on Friday, 11/19 and Saturday, 11/20 at 7:30 PM. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door or by contacting Tricia Blanchard at Rutherford High School (pblanchard@rutherfordschools.org).