Wilmot Union to perform comedic play Thursday through Saturday
By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer
All a young couple wants is a simple marriage, but courtesy of meddling future in-laws, the plans go awry.
The plans are chronicled in Wilmot Union High School’s fall theatrical production of “Altar Egos,” scheduled for Friday and Saturday in school auditorium, where the audience can follow the story of Mark Frobischer and Colleen McMasters.
“Altar Egos” is a comedy written by Pat Cook, who depicts the “I do’s and don’ts” of planning an American Wedding, and is produced by a special arrangement with Eldridge Publishing Co.
“The bride and groom want a simple wedding, and it turns into anything but simple, once the families get involved,” said Karen Heelein, faculty adviser. “There is arguing and fighting, there is a sister, there is an Aunt, there is a Grandma that comes in.” There’s even a discussion regarding how the wedding should be conducted. Is it better to have a destination wedding or a wedding in a barn? If it’s in a new location, who pays for destination wedding. Apart from that discussions about how should the costs be split are all important considerations when two familes are involved.
Well! Nowadays, instead of lavish destination weddings, most people want a simple wedding with their loved ones showering their blessings, a beautiful wedding gown, and the best wedding photographers Rhode Island or wherever they plan to get married. Probably, stories always have some extraordinary things that are not normally seen in real life.
According to the Eldridge Publishing Company, the McMasters believe the Frobischers are snobby, while the Frobischers picture the McMasters as a crowd of hillbillies.
“A lot of the scenes are like a sports arena or a circus,” Heelein added. “It changes, some of it they are dreaming, some of it they are not, but then the ex-girlfriend comes into the picture, too, and she stirs things up.”
Character development
Like previous fall plays in recent years, Heelein has double-casted most characters in hopes of attracting more students into the annual production.
“I enjoy working with the kids,” she said, noting 25 are participating. “And I love having as many kids as I can.”
While she admits she will miss the handful of seniors, Heelein reported several new underclassmen could fill the void.
“We have a lot of new kids that come in this year, freshman and sophomores, and I am hoping they stick around for the next couple years.”
One sophomore, Giovanni Cicchini, plays the role of Mark Frobischer, who is the groom.
While the role is Cicchini’s first Wilmot production, he acknowledged getting into character was a breeze.
“It is really easy for me to get into character, because I am very open-minded,” Cicchini said. “It is just memorizing the lines, and once they are memorized, I am comfortable with it.”
Through learning the lines, Cicchini concluded his character can deliver hijinks, and confusion to his future bride, Colleen, played by Angela Martinez and Britnee Paglini in double-casted roles.
“I am like the typical movie husband, my role in the play is that he is kind of a complicated character,” he said. “Sometimes he is confused in what he wants.”
Junior Amy Poteracki, who portrays Aunt Pam, reportedly had some difficulty getting into character, noting her small stature.
“She is very loud and very out there, and I am a small person, so it is kind of hard to have all that energy to yell,” she said. “So, I get to go out there and yell at everyone, which people are not used to.”
Meanwhile, for senior Anri Santamaria, the play gives the audience an opportunity to see two different sides to his character, Lew Frobischer, father of the groom.
“I am mostly a comedic character, but sometimes serious,” Santamaria said. “It will be a hit show.”
If you go…
What: Altar Egos
When: 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Wilmot Union High School, 11112 308th St., Wilmot.
Cost: $6 for admission, student activity passes accepted
Special effects prevalent
Heelein reports this year’s production brings more special effects, including circus noises and a vast array of lighting, which was a challenge.
“There is a lot of different light effects. We got a lot more spotlights than we have ever had before,” she said. “The timing has to be perfect and they are doing a really good job on that.”
Cast and crew
While Martinez and Paglini secured the roles of Colleen and Cicchini plays Mark Frobischer, other students receiving key roles are Lauren Hanson/Kalyn Harewood, who are double-casted as mother Dinah McMasters.
Playing father of the bride Carl McMasters is Anthony Sanberg while Vera Frobischer, groom’s mother, is portrayed by Alyssa White and Emily Hershelman.