The upcoming Allen Community College drama season will feature mystery and suspense, large doses of humor and plenty of music.
“We have an exciting year planned,” said Tony Piazza, drama instructor at the college.
Rehearsals are under way for the college’s opening production of the 2012-13 season, “Dames At Sea” which runs Oct. 11-13 at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center.
“Dames” is a collaboration of the college’s music and theater departments under the direction of Susan McKinnis.
It is a light-hearted satire of grand musicals of the 1930s.
“It’s an affectionate spoof,” said McKinnis. “The people who wrote it are making fun of it because they really like musicals.”
The story follows a young Broadway understudy portrayed by Emmaline Durand of Humboldt intent on being a star. Her theater, however, is about to be torn down so another site must be found — a ship.
Archie Huskey, a Lincoln native who has several relatives in the Iola area, portrays Dick, Durand’s love interest.
Other leading roles feature the talents of Bri Holliday and Mariah Nunley, Topeka, Nathan Hill, Allen, Michael De Los Santos, Ottawa, and Anthony Ellis, Colony.
Ted Clous, ACCC music director, will oversee the musical accompaniment.
“We certainly should be able to put on a clean show,” McKinnis said. “We’ve got some good singers and lots of good production numbers.”
Clous has been an invaluable contributor, McKinnis said, from working with the students “on how to sing for a musical versus singing in a choir.”
THE ACTING troupe takes on Jeffrey Hatcher’s adaptation of “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” Nov. 29-Dec. 1 at the Allen College Theatre.
Hatcher’s story differs from Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale in that several ensemble characters will get an opportunity to portray Mr. Hyde, depending on who is possessing a cryptic cane.
“It’s a great story; a psychological mystery,” Piazza said. “I’m excited about it.”
THE COLLEGE will once again feature the works of Iola playwright Nic Olson Feb. 28-March 2 with “Nic At Night,” a series of short stories all penned by Olson, including a longer, 30-minute romantic comedy “So, This One Time.”
