‘Born
Yesterday’ coming to YHS stage
Lacey Rees - lrees@sierrastar.com
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Lacey
Rees/Sierra Star Sean Ratchford, playing the part of
tough boy friend Harry Brock, is incredulous that he would owe money from
losing a card game to seemingly “dumb blond” Billie Dawn played by Ashley
Newton. The Yosemite High students are starring in the school’s spring
production, “Born Yesterday.” |
“Born Yesterday” is Yosemite High School’s spring production
presented by its drama department.
The classic American comedy by Garson Kanin will play on
Friday and Saturday, April 4 and 5 and the following week on April 11 and 12.
There will also be a Sunday matinee on April 6 at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students and children.
The play tells the story of an ex-chorus girl, Billie Dawn,
who lacks social graces but understands the ways of the world. Her vulgar
millionaire boyfriend, Harry Brock, hires reporter Paul Verrall to teach her
grace, but she learns more than Harry wants her to know.
Some may remember the famous 1950 movie with Judy Holliday
or even the remake 10 years ago with Melanie Griffith.
“It’s a charming old-fashioned play that should appeal to
the community,” says Lars Thorson, YHS drama teacher. It was originally on
stage in 1946.
Twelve YHS drama students will appear in the play with
Ashley Newton playing the lead role of Billie Dawn and brothers Robert and Sean
Ratchford playing the characters of Harry Brock and good guy Paul Verrall,
respectively.
Ashley is a senior who has taken drama for four years. Since
Ashley is in most of the scenes, she originally had 450 lines to learn, but got
them cut to about 400.
Except for being blonde like the character, Ashley says she
is different from Billie Dawn, “but I kind of like her,” she says. “It is
empowering because she actually gets smart.”
Ashley found it fun learning the New York accent she needed
for her character. She wants to continue acting after high school. She’s
entertaining the idea of going to Los Angeles to audition for different parts
before going to college.
Robert Ratchford, a junior, had never heard of “Born
Yesterday” before auditioning for the part of Harry Brock. He’s looking forward
to his role since “I’m usually the [goof-off], but now I’m the tyrant,” he
says.
Robert fits the part, indicates Mr. Thorson, of someone who
is physically strong, “Big, manly” — and he can act, too.
The junior, who has taken drama for three years, plans to
major in business and minor in drama when he goes to college. He adds, “I will
be doing drama long after college.”
The two have good stage chemistry, says Mr. Thorson, in
describing the interaction between the two leads.
For reservations or information: YHS Drama Department,
683-4667, Extension 256.