Staff writer
Marion High School drama department invites the public to see a play that doesn’t take itself too seriously. MHS will present “Pure as the Driven Snow or the Working Girl’s Secret,” written by Paul Loomis.
Director Janet Killough said she wanted to produce an old-fashioned melodrama. It has been at least six years since the last melodrama at MHS.
Audience members are encouraged to cheer the heroes and boo the villains. It provides more interaction with the audience, Killough said. Melodrama teaches cast members exaggeration and characterization, she added.
Rehearsals for the play have been less stressful than last fall’s production of “Grease.” Cast members don’t have singing and dancing to worry about. Rehearsals began about four weeks ago, Killough said.
Cast members are Megan Carter, Caroline Collett, Tim Costello, Denae Edwards, Alex Eurit, Sarah Guetersloh, Miller Hendrix, Brady Hudson, Brooke Johnson, Michael Kirkpatrick, Lexie Kruse, Anna Laurin, and Landon Leiker.
Edwards and Hudson play the heroes, Purity Dean and Leander Longfellow, respectively. Kirkpatrick will play the mustachioed villain, Mortimer Frothingham.
Kirkpatrick wanted to play the villain from the beginning, he said. He likes twirling his fake mustache and his maniacal laugh.
He’s prepared for the audience’s boos, but said he can’t be sure how he’ll react until opening night.
“It might surprise me, but I think I’ll be able to handle it,” Kirkpatrick said.
Kirkpatrick — a sophomore — was in MHS productions of “Beauty and the Beast” and “Grease.” He acted in melodramas in summer theater, he said.
Kirkpatrick worked hard on refining the posture and mannerisms of his outlandish villain. His hunched posture and swirling cape exaggerate his creeping movement.
“Mrs. Killough has given me a lot of help on how to do that,” he said.
MHS drama will present “Pure as the Driven Snow or the Working Girl’s Secret” 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at USD 408 Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $3 for adults and $2 for children 12 or younger and are available at the door.