The Reeths-Puffer High School Theater Department struck gold twice last year with its two major productions, Alice in Wonderland and Mama Mia!
The former was the second most attended production in the history of R-P theater, and the latter was referred to by some as “the best musical Reeths-Puffer has ever done.”
One might wonder if the actors in this weekend’s fall production, “One Wife Too Many,” might be a little nervous about taking the stage on the heels of those two successes.
But the cast is ready to roll and super excited about the show, according to R-P theater teacher Adrienne Lewis, who directs the school’s productions.
Lead male actor Holden Earnest
“This is the most prepared I have ever felt for a show before,” Lewis said. “We are two days away from opening night, and the only thing that needs to be done is finishing painting the set. It’s a big set!
“The students feel confident and excited to present this show to our audience!”
One Wife Too Many, which will hit the stage Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., is definitely not as familiar to audiences as the classic Alice in Wonderland and Mama Mia! – but Lewis thinks people will love it.
It’s a farcical comedy about a fictional television actor, James Holden, who is returning from his honeymoon with his fourth wife, only to discover that he’s still legally married to all three previous wives. He tries to sort all of that out while auditioning an actress for the role of his wife in a new TV show.
Lead female actor Jaylee Hagstrom
On top of all of that, one of the previous wives is engaged to a Las Vegas mobster who is determined to settle things the violent way.
A big cast of 21 characters play out a variety of humorous subplots that are constantly unfolding on stage.
“The show is full of chaos and silliness,” Lewis said.
The students in the cast have been rehearsing since the third week of school in September. They have put in about 96 hours of rehearsal, Lewis said.
Playing the three previous wives (from left) are Hannah Lindstrom, Katherine Miller and Ava Rodriguez.
The cast members, along with three student directors, have also had other responsibilities, like designing the program, making posters, developing a logo for the production, taking photos and other duties.
Another 21 students are involved in the play’s technical crew.
“I don't think I've ever seen so much effort from a group of students to put together a production,” Lewis said. “This is definitely the hardest show I have put on to date because of the amount of organized chaos in the show.
“The students have been an absolute dream to work with on stage and behind the scenes. With how the process is going, I would say that this is a show you wouldn't want to miss! It is so fun!”
Mobster actors (from left) Jaxon Vanderberg, Milo Sapone, Bella Cole.
The male lead, playing James Holden, is R-P junior Holden Earnest, who had a small role in Mama Mia, then decided to try out for the lead this fall and won the part with a reportedly great audition.
The female lead, playing fourth wife Velvet Taylor Holden, is senior Jaylee Hagstrom. She appeared in Alice in Wonderland last year and is taking on her first leading role.
The first three wives are played by senior Katherine Miller, in her first stage role; senior Ava Rodriguez, who appeared in Alice in Wonderland; and junior Hannah Lindstrom, who has focused on musicals in the past.
