'Fools' brings laughter to Rural players

GREG LAHANN/The Capital-Journal

Washburn Rural High School actors Tyler Mundy, left, and Bret Palmer play Leon Tolchinsky and Snetsky, respectively, in the school's production of "Fools," which opens tonight.

By Susan Scott

Special to The Capital-Journal

Toward the end of a dress rehearsal, director Connie Archer- McGinnis and technical director Rob Owens burst into a chorus of laughter, slightly throwing off the actors on stage.

After the rehearsal, the two explained that they were brainstorming ways to make the last scene more funny and then relayed the new sight gag to the cast. This roundtable discussion of additions to the script seemed to be a typical occurrence, as the cast has embraced the opportunity to squeeze even more humor out of the comic fable "Fools" by Neil Simon.

With this premise in mind, the cast began almost every rehearsal with improvisational and theater games. McGinnis found these activities critical in order for the cast to be able to contribute to the humor and possibly enhance a scene with their own ideas.

"I've taken the liberty as a director and have turned things on their head," McGinnis said.

These comedic activities seem to go hand-in-hand with the plot of the comedic fable which is based around a town that is cursed with stupidity. Set at the turn of the century, a young school teacher enters the town of Kulyenchikov, Russia, with the intention of teaching the local doctor's daughter. What he does not know, however, is that everyone in the town doesn't have the capacity to think or love.

He soon learns about the curse and even though he realizes it is a hopeless case, the teacher commits to stay and teach his pupil, who also becomes his true love. From then on it becomes a race against time as the teacher has 24 hours to educate his love in order to break the curse or he himself will become stupid.

According to cast member Tyler Mundy, the Simon play is "blatantly funny" and includes humor for everyone.

Described by one cast member as "comedically-gifted," the cast for the play includes seniors Elisabeth Ahrens, Matt Briden, Ryan Hamilton, Mundy and Karen Sheets, junior Chris Hackler and sophomores Tommy Gish, Bret Palmer and Emily Wilkes.

The fable will be presented today through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in the Washburn Rural High School Auditorium. Tickets cost $4.

The cast encourages many to come out and see "Fools," which, according to Palmer, will give a "break from everyday life and give people the opportunity to take some time out and giggle."

- Play runs today through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in Washburn Rural Auditorium

- All tickets are $4

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