$6 million farce: AHS theater putting on ‘Lucky Stiff’ starting next week
Published 6:01 am Monday, November 14, 2016
- Michael Petersen, playing Harry Witherspoon, fights off a nightmare during rehearsel for the upcoming Austin High School play “Lucky Stiff.” Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin High School is getting ready to stage a music farce later this month.
The AHS theater department will perform “Lucky Stiff” at 7 p.m. Nov. 17 to 19 in Christgau Hall.
Grace Shupe, playing Rita La Porta sings a number during a scene with Ryan Stencel as the dead body during rehearsal for the upcoming Austin High School presentation of “Lucky Stiff.” Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
The play, by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Fleherty, revolves around shoe salesman Harry Witherspoon, who takes the embalmed body of his recently murdered uncle on a vacation to Monte Carlo.
Should he pass off his uncle as alive, he’ll win $6 million. If not, the money will go to the Universal Dog Home of Brooklyn or his uncle’s ex.
Director Gordy Handeland promised a fun and entertaining show.
“It should just be very funny,” he said. “There’s some really nice music in here.”
He promised a fun show with several subplots, including
The cast, which Handeland said includes many freshmen and a few upperclassmen, has taken to the humor of the play quickly.
“Some of them are natural hams on stage,” he said.
“The kids are really good with timing,” he added.
Many of the student actors have experience in plays at Ellis Middle School and other schools, though a few are new to acting.
Handeland said students today have the benefit of YouTube, where they can check out plays to familiarized themselves with the performances.
“That gave them a little advantage,” he said.
However, he said he often encourages his actors to make the performance their own.
Along with the comedy of the play, Handeland said people can expect catchy, toe-tapping and contemporary music from the shows.
Katie Lillemon, playing Annebelle Click, rehearses a scene with Michael Petersen, playing Harry Witherspoon for the Austin High School play “Lucky Stiff.” Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
“Lucky Stiff” cast list
Harry Witherspoon…………………….Michael Peterson
Annebelle Click……Katie Lillemon
Rita La Porta………..Grace Shupe
Vinnie Di Ruzzo…….Arn Huizinga
Luidi Gaudi…………Aidan DeVries
Dead Body……………Ryan Stencil
Ensemble: Mackenzie Windschilt, Lilla Pavada, Adrianna Meiergerd, Rachel Christenson, Paul Mueller, Evan Anderson, Zach Farr, Willem Huizinga and Kari Lynn Finley-Cook.
Music director: Brian Johnson
Stage manager: Kelsey Feuerhak
Back stage assistant: Quincy Musik
