by Bea Peterson
The Hoosick Falls Central School Drama Club has done it again with another terrific production. Stephen Gregg’s one act play This Is A Test brought familiar feelings of anxiety to anyone who has ever taken a school test. Fortunately, that anxiety was relieved by tons of laughs as Ellen, played superbly by Anna Youngmann, goes through the nightmare of taking a test. The supporting cast, made up of Molly Frazier, Katherine Danforth, Haley Votra, Julianna Shumacher, Chey Amber Reynolds-Hunt, Kaayla Sjaan Reynolds-Hunt, Lauren Conte, Matty Blair, Mary Steadman, Amanda Middleton, Alexis Smith and Katie Bakaitis was excellent. The one act production was over quickly but offered 20 minutes of total enjoyment.
Rumors, a farce written by Neil Simon, is so Neil Simon. He takes an unbelievably ridiculous situation and makes it believable. It also takes a good cast to make it believable, and this cast, made up of Meaghan DiMaggio, Brett Hanselman, Hannah Caron, Peter Donohue, Marcia Zeller, Josh Harrison, Lacey LaCroix, Nick Montfort, Nathaniel Libby and
Amanda Middleton did the job in great style. Peter Donohue was, of course, over the top, as only he can be. Rumors includes tuxedos and fancy dresses and what to do when, in high society, one arrives at a tenth wedding anniversary party to find the help has disappeared, as has the hostess, and the host has tried to commit suicide but has only managed to nick his earlobe with a bullet. Just how one keeps this information from the other guests and, of course, the outside world, is what makes for a tremendous amount of hilarity. The cast put their exaggerated all into it and made it a fantastic performance.
The production was all the more believable because of the gorgeous set. The Drama Club crew behind the scenes, which includes many of the actors, is to be commended for putting on an all together terrific show. Director – Robert Allen, Costume Director – Missy Reynolds, Set Designer – Charles Krawczky, Set Construction Director – Anthony Malikowski, Lead Carpenters – Kharles Krawczyk and Dwain Wilwol, Lighting/Sound Design – Robert Allen, Light Board Operator – Angela Slaton, Sound Engineer – Nicholas Downing, Stage Manager – Robert Allen and Emily K. Wilwol, Props Masters – Amber Luke, Mary Luke and Jane Luke, Program – Robert Allen.
A Director’s Nod (*) goes to those students who performed above and beyond, logging over 24 hours of work in a specific crew. Set Crew: Meaghan DiMaggio, Peter Donohue, Brett Hanselman*, Mike Denerley*, Paige Evans, Josh Harrison*, Charles Krawczyk, Nathanial Libby, Justin Matatt*, Kathy Nubers, Chris Pelletier*, Mary Steadman, Dwain Wilwol, Anna Youngmann, Cheryth Youngmann, Gwen Youngmann and Mary Youngmann. Set Painters: Kristen Bird, Tammy Bird, Mike Denerley, Peter Donohue, Josh Harrison, Brett Hanselman, John Kaufmann, Charles Krawczyk, Amanda Middleton, Kathy Numbers, Methika Srichompoo, Chris Pelletier and Marcia Zeller. Props Crew: Kristin Bird*, Amber Luke*, Mary Luke*, Jane Luke, Missi Reynolds, Methika Srichompoo* and Amanda Vitro*. Costume Crew: Chey Amber Reynolds-Hunt, Kaayla Sjaan Reynolds-Hunt and Missi Reynolds. Additional Backstage Crew: Mike Denerley and Chris Pelletier. Makeup Crew: Megan McEachron, Amanda Sargood and Sarah Gleason. Tech Crew: Nicholas Downing, Josh Harrison, Brett Hanselman, Sarah Middleton, Angela Slaton and Emily K. Wilwol. Performing Arts Booster Club Members: Tammy Bird, Jane Luke, Maggie Middleton, Beth Wilwol, Dwain Wilwol.
The production ran Friday, Saturday and Sunday, December 4 through 6, and was open to the public free of charge.