JAN
JARVIS - JJARVIS@SIERRASTAR.COM
From left: Evan Commins, Amanda Bridgford and Michael Haar at dress
rehearsal.
Andrew Durrell takes the sword to Evan Commins.
The Yosemite
High School Theatre Arts Department is putting the final touches
on its production of “The Rascal,” which will be presented at the
Student Park on the YHS campus May 14, 15, 21 and 22 at 7 p.m.
The play, a comedy set loosely in the Renaissance, features 19 actors
and seven technicians. This is the first outdoor theatre production
at YHS. It is being presented outdoors because the indoor theatre
is under renovation and not scheduled to reopen until January 2005.
“The Rascal” follows a servant, Scapin, as he manipulates his master
to bring lovers together, seeks revenge on his master for a life
of abuse, and finds himself a new pair of pants. The play is generally
based on Moliere’s farce “The Mischievious Machinations of Scapin.”
Three days before opening night, actors were busy trying on their
costumes, which had just arrived. The period designs provoked several
humorous comments: “My hat’s moving. It looks like a jellyfish,”
“You look like the monkey in ‘Aladdin’,” “ You remind me of a Hot
Tamale wrapped in lupine.”
However, the minute Theatre Arts teacher/producer/director Lars
Thorson asked the students to take their places on the rehearsal
stage, the mood changed and everyone got down to business.
Most of the actors said they were excited but a little nervous about
the outdoor stage and the problems it may present. “What about bugs
and mosquitoes?” asked Amanda Bridgford. Michael Haar agreed, “It’s
an uncontrolled environment.” Thorson said the open-air environment
makes the production “larger than life.”
Everyone was looking forward to opening night, however, and had
confidence the production would be a success. They spoke of the
“fun of entertaining” and the “good group of people in the Theatre
Arts Department” and the friendships they had developed in the class.
Their energy and enthusiasm shone through at rehearsal. The play
promises to be an enjoyable evening under the stars. Admission is
$7 for adults and $5 for students. The audience is advised to bring
blankets and folding chairs since the play is outdoors.
You may have a chance to see the next Meryl Streep or Robert DeNiro.
“The play’s the thing!”
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