Wilmot High School presents ‘Nana’s Naughty Knickers’

Ellie Schleusner (left) and Jessica Baker rehearse for the Wilmot High School’s fall play, “Nana’s Naughty Knickers,” which will be performed at the high school on Friday, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m.; and Saturday, Nov. 8, at 2 and 7 p.m. Admission is $5. (Photo by Anne Trautner)
Ellie Schleusner (left) and Jessica Baker rehearse for the Wilmot High School’s fall play, “Nana’s Naughty Knickers,” which will be performed at the high school on Friday, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m.; and Saturday, Nov. 8, at 2 and 7 p.m. Admission is $5. (Photo by Anne Trautner)

Comedy runs through the weekend

By Anne Trautner

Staff Writer

A couple of Wilmot High School students will transform into seniors this weekend.

Senior citizens, that is, in the school’s production of “Nana’s Naughty Knickers,” a comedy written by Katherine DiSavino.

The story takes place in Nana’s New York City apartment where she secretly designs lingerie for her senior friends. Nana’s granddaughter comes to spend the summer at the apartment to save money for law school. The granddaughter and Nana’s best friend discover Nana’s little secret, and then the fun starts, said Karen Heelein, who is directing the play.

“The kids have been awesome,” Heelein said. “It’s like slapstick comedy, it reminds me of Lucy and Ethel.”

About 20 students who are in the cast and crew have been working on the play since the beginning of September. They have rehearsed three hours a day, three days a week, with a couple Saturdays thrown in, Heelein said.

“I think the kids have had a lot of fun. They have worked really, really hard. There are little surprises throughout the play. I can’t tell you what happens because I don’t want to give it away yet, but it has been a challenge to get some of these things to work on stage. They do really well,” Heelein said.

“There is a lot of humor that you have to catch on, but it’s just so fun,” said Katiana Rachev, a senior who is in the play.

“It is different than most high school plays. We just throw it all out there and change it up. I’m actually really excited to be part of it because of the fact that it’s not like anything we’ve ever done here before,” senior Sarah Poteracki said.

Part of the play’s appeal is that it is relatively unknown, Rachev said.

“There are some unknown plays, so people are just like I want to see what that is, and then you come and then are like, wow, I want to see it again, and again and again,” Rachev said.

That is how “Nana’s Naughty Knickers” is going to be for many people, Rachev said.

“I think it is actually friendlier for all ages,” Poteracki said. “It appeals to everyone. There is stuff for younger kids. There are little jokes in there for the older people.”

“I have cousins that are like 10 that are coming to see it, and I’m pretty sure they are going to be laughing their heads off. It will be great,” junior Emily Walter said.

Part of the fun is the characters themselves, Poteracki said.

“I don’t think there is any character that is like another character. Every single one is a crazy, dynamic character,” Poteracki said.

“I’m a fat old man, so that’s always fun,” Walter said.

For her costume, Walter sent her mom on a shopping spree.

“I sent my mom to Goodwill and said just buy ‘old fart’ clothes. She got me khakis this flannel and this hat. Then she called my grandma, who lives in Eau Claire, and she’s like can you mail me Dad’s yardstick suspenders?” Walter said.

The suspenders make the costume complete, Walter said. But she wasn’t so fond of her character’s hairstyle.

“My hair feels so gross. I have like a pound and a half of gel to slick it back. Oh my gosh, it feels disgusting,” Emily said.

As far as the other characters go, the intercom voice is really funny, said Daniel Folos, the only freshman who is acting in the play. He claimed to not be self-promoting his part.

For actress Sarah Zerr, the play has been a fun experience.

“Every play is different, but I think this play is unique in the fact that rather than being nowadays humor, there is a lot of corny, old people’s type of humor,” Zerr said. “I hope that people enjoy it. I enjoy it.”

Wilmot junior Teegan Lehr is not in the play, but she has been coming to most of the rehearsals to watch.

“It actually is really good,” Teegan said. “I think it will do well because it appeals to a wider audience. It’s a little bold and out there.”

If you go

What: “Nana’s Naughty Knickers”

Where: Wilmot High School’s Lance Haas Auditorium

When: Friday, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 8, at 2 and 7 p.m.

Admission: $5


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