Eli Grover and Stephen McDonald earned all-Pioneer League honors for performing under Friday night lights.
Tonight and Friday, another side of their talents will be illuminated on the Bowlus Fine Arts Center stage in “The Greek Mythology Olympiaganza,” a farce that brings to life, often with a modern twists, several Greek myths.
The show will be staged at 7 each night. Admission is free.
Grover and Katie Thompson are narrators for the mythological shorts. They bicker a bit, but flesh out plots, using audience participation and theatrical license to embellish story lines.
Topics include the birth of Zeus, or parenting — Greek style; Pandora’s Box, the feminist version; Jason and The Argonauts, the original super friends; the Iliad, and Greek bedtime stories.
“It’s a great way to get 28 kids on stage,” Director Richard Spencer said of the show.
Spencer was delighted to involve so many students and it must have been a chore to decide how to dole out stage time. Accolades are justified for every last one.
Jordan Strickler, Cody Cokely and Drew Smith have been on stage often enough that the experience is second nature.
McDonald and Colton Schubert are physically imposing, but show soft sides that may surprise. They also leave no doubt they are very good actors, and have the knack of translating their enjoyment in the craft to the audience.
The Bannister girls, Trilby and Olivia, have the advantage of having been involved in many public events and it shows. And it’s a delightful foursome when they, Brynna Hollins and Catherine Venter rush on stage as sirens and furies.
Fact is, nary a one of the 28 cast members fails to live up to Spencer’s expectations, another solid tribute to the talent that flows from Iola High drama classes. Also, there is no doubt that having a professional setting in the Bowlus Center is a catalyst.
A handful of drama students aren’t on stage, but without their contributions in the wings with lighting, sound and other animates required to put on a show it wouldn’t approach the success that it is.
GREEK MYTHS COME OF AGE
