High school, theatre company perform ‘Play That Goes Wrong’

What happens when a classic “whodunnit” story is presented and staged by a group of accident-prone thespians and the Cornley Drama Society, or in this case, Douglas High School Drama Club and the Carson Valley Community Theatre, you get “The Play that Goes Wrong.”

Opening Friday at the CVIC Hall, the play within a play, written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shield, sees things quickly go from bad to disastrous.

In the production, the thespian group is getting ready to perform “Murder at Haversham Manor,” when everything that could go wrong in a show does; from an unconscious leading lady and a corpse that can’t play dead, to missing props and actors who trip over everything including their lines.

“Everything goes terribly wrong, there’s a lot of confusion, but it’s very funny,” said sophomore Finn Jacobsen who portrays Chris and Inspector Carter.

Sophomore Makenzie Evans said that because it’s a play within a play it’s both comedic and serious.

“It’s kind of a mixture of both, so though it’s comedic for the audience, there’s still drama and seriousness from us the actors, so its different, but it’s fun,” she said.

Evans plays Trevor in the show.

“I’ve become a better actress from all this and learned a lot of new things,” said sophomore Violet Pierson, who plays Florence Colleymore and Sandra.

It’s definitely a more full-length and you have actual sets, professionals who come and talk to you and giving you tips,” she said. “It’s been a great experience.”

This is the third collaboration the Carson Valley Community Theatre has performed with the high school and first time with new Douglas High School Drama teacher Renee Kaldor.

“It’s been fantastic working with CVCT,” said Kaldor.  “This is the first time the students have done a full-length production. We’ve only done one-acts. So that is huge for the students and CVCT brought that to life for them and I just want to say a huge kudos for that. Everyone at CVCT has been so patient with the students in giving them this opportunity and experience and for myself, too, not just as the director but as a new teacher.”

In the past, the collaboration mixed adults and students.

“Historically, we have had a mixed cast for these productions that includes adults and students, but this year has been challenging,” said Jones. “We were going to do a different show, but we found out after the holidays that due to a traveling company of that show, we could not do it.”

As a result, Jones said an entirely new play had to be found and roles re-cast.

“The entire cast is now being performed by the high school students and they are great,” said Jones. “Many thanks to Renee Kaldor, the drama director at DHS for her patience and creativity, and to Lucille Rao, the producer of the show for making it a reality in such a short time.”

“This is a way for us to address our strategic plan and help to bring the arts to the Douglas County for all to enjoy,” said Jones.

The play will be performed over two weekends March 15-24.

Tickets may be purchased at the Carson Valley Community Theatre box office in the Copeland Building noon to 4 p.m. Mondays and Fridays or visit www.carsonvalleycommunitytheatre.org for more information.