When Sally Cotter (Micah Peterson), a young, full-of-wit bibliophile, dozes off while reading books about a certain juvenile wizard, she dreams she is a student at Frogbull Academy of Sorcery.
There she meets Albatross Underdrawers (Samantha Wondra), the school’s kind and wise headmaster, Ruebenon Ryebread (Ariel Murphy), a jolly gamekeeper with an interesting collection of accents, and Shiftia Shape (Alanna Hartman), a condescending professor of potions.
But danger is lurking, and it's up to Sally and her new friends, goofy student Dave (Carter Kern) and intelligent and determined young student Harmonica (Samantha Baker), to defeat the schemes of the charming yet evil Lord Murderdeath (Elijah Mons).
Will Sally become like the hero of her favorite series? And who is the mysterious Censor (Katie Cink) who, much to the annoyance of the rest of the cast, keeps rewriting the story as it goes along?
Sure to entertain fans of the Harry Potter series and newcomers alike, students will perform the silly, irreverent yet loving parody “Sally Cotter and the Censored Stone,” in the school auditorium this Friday and Saturday.
Other cast members are the arrogant student Urs Maliese (Jacob Rohlfing), the mysterious Edwina Molar (Allison Cink) and a Beetle chorus that includes Sarena Remiger, Lilly Draheim, Neenah Lassiter, Kayla Hoffmann, Denisse Rodriquez, Vanessa Wondra and Sierra McCabe.
The troupe started working on the play in late January. Abby Pinke, a CHS English teacher in her first stint as a director, said Peterson has brought a lot of passion to the lead role and is stage savvy too.
“She makes sure other cast members are matching her energy, and, if somebody is stumbling, she does a really good job of knowing where people need to be. She makes directing for the first time extremely easy.”
Peterson, except when she missed tryouts as a seventh grader, has acted in every play at CHS since she was a sixth grader. She enjoyed developing her character.
“It’s very fun for me to put my own spin on Sally Cotter. I can make her into who I want her to be. I try to be myself a little bit except maybe a little more bratty.”
Hartman collaborated with Cink, Draheim and Remiger to choose the play, which was written by playwright Dean O’Carroll.
“I’m a big Harry Potter fan, but I liked that you don’t have to have seen the movies to understand the play,” Hartman said. “Also, I liked the funny, lighthearted aspect of it.”
Supporting the production are crew members Jack Schloesser, Emily Holden, Mollie Bowman and Cassidy Otto.
Amelia Tauer has acted in past plays, but this year, as a senior, she stepped up to be the student director.
“Originally, I wanted to act, but I think it was more beneficial for me to step back and help the other kids learn how to act themselves, because the majority of the cast and crew are seniors.”
Tauer said the biggest challenge was getting the cast and crew to take the project seriously, to make rehearsals, despite busy schedules.
“A play is not something you can procrastinate. You have to take the time and be here, but all of them are very capable. They all did really, really well, but all of us seniors work well together.”
Pinke is also grateful to the rest of the seniors.
“Katie Cink did a wonderful job at communicating with me and doing the marketing surrounding the play, Lilly Draheim did a wonderful job at helping the younger students, Alanna Hartman did a fabulous job at ensuring the cast members were at their best and knew where to go and when, Sarena Remiger brought her amazing personality and work ethic to the performances, Jacob Rohlfing brought his sense of humor, intelligence, and natural talent. Samantha Wondra also brought her natural talent, her sense of humor, and excitement. Jack Schloesser and Emily Holden did a fabulous job with set design and construction and lighting. Ultimately, the entire play couldn't have been done without everybody having a talent and skill and I am more than fortunate to have gotten to know them and share my passion with them over the last few months.”
Performances are at 7:00 pm tonight (Friday) and again on Saturday, when a dinner with Harry Potter themed food starts at 6:00 pm with a 7:00 pm showing.
Above: Albatross Underdrawers (Samantha Wondra) is flanked by Ruebenon Ryebread (Ariel Murphy) and Shiftia Shape (Alanna Hartman) in the judgment scene.
Cast members Allison Cink, Jacob Rohlfing, Kayla Hoffmann, Sarena Remiger, Denisse Rodriquez, Lilly Draheim, Neenah Lassiter and Katie Cink.
Cast members Vanessa Wondra, Samantha Baker, Carter Kern, Micah Peterson and Ariel Murphy.
Ariel Murphy, Samantha Wondra and Alanna Hartman.
The cast and crew include, front row, from L-R, Lucy Tauer, Lilly Meier, Vanessa Wondra, Cassidy Otto, Kayla Hoffman, Denisse Rodriquez, Allison Cink, Katie Cink and Lilly Draheim. Middle row: Olivia Reinhardt, Samantha Wondra, Ariel Murphy, Samantha Baker, Micah Peterson and Alanna Hartman. Back row: Mollie Bowman, Amelia Tauer, Emily Holden, Sierra McCabe, Emma Bluhm, Neenah Lassiter, Carter Kern, Jack Schloesser, Jacob Rohlfing, Sarena Remiger, Elijah Mons, and Abby Pinke.