Students Shine in Studio Production

by Khonsu A. Spratt, CK'09, Associate Editor Crane-Clarion

This year’s studio play, John Patrick’s The Curious Savage, connects comedy, insanity, and philosophy in one show. “It’s a comedy set in a crazy house,” said senior director Megan Mockeridge.

Mockeridge and senior co-director Mackenzie McBride were ready for this play from the get-go. “We found each other,” said McBride, “on the very first day of school Megan said ‘I want to direct the studio [play].’”

Studio directors must apply through Robert Murphy, Director of Theatre. They must have a strong theater background in addition to experience behind the scenes.

The directors chose the play after senior Nick Andersen recommended it. “It actually fits what we were looking for perfectly,” said Mockeridge. “We wanted a comedy but we didn’t want it to be over the top. We also wanted a small play where we can really get the actors into their characters.”

Set in the 1950s, The Curious Savage follows Mrs. Ethel Savage, a widow whose husband has left her ten million dollars. She decides to use her fortune to start an organization that helps people fulfill their dreams, but her greedy step-children want the money for themselves.

They put her in a medical facility for long-term illness, where she encounters patients on the verge of insanity. However, they have found happiness in this sanatorium and Mrs. Savage acquires a sense of peace from them. In the end she is finally able to fulfill her dream of starting a fund to help other people fulfill their aspirations.

“It’s a comedy, but it also deals with this underlying theme of who is crazy. Is the outside world crazy or are these people who are labeled crazy actually saner because they live easy and happy lives?” said McBride.

The eleven actors began rehearsing on April 9. Senior Lisa Michaels stars as the newly wealthy Mrs. Savage.

The stepchildren are Titus Savage (junior Bello Pizzimenti), a loud-mouthed senator who is not afraid to get straight to the point; Samuel Savage (senior Jason Maise), arrogant judge; and Lilly Belle Savage (sophomore Devin Ketko), a trendy gold-digger.

“The three step-children are completely sinister in comparison to the really sweet, loony cast,” said Ketko, “It’s a great contrast.”

The sanatorium inmates include a gloomy woman named Florence (junior Chantericka Tucker), a violinist named Hannibal who cannot play the violin (Senior Nick Gersch), and a zany girl, Fairy May (junior Cate Douglas). Also, the otherwise silent Mrs. Paddy (freshman Laura Gisondi) sporadically speaks only to enumerate the things she hates.

“What really excites me is that we’ve already found tons of enthusiasm—people loving their character and loving the play,” said McBride. “That’s a really good sign for us that they are going to give it their all and enjoy performing.”

Junior Dakota Hadfield plays an emotion-ally unstable man, Jeffrey, who falsely believes his face is scarred from World War II, and who does not even recognize his wife, Miss Wilhelmina (senior Hannah Kaneck), the sanatorium secretary of Dr. Emmet (senior M. Paul Weeks).

“No two characters are alike,” said Mockeridge. “The audience can immediately recognize something in the characters that is familiar in themselves or someone that they know.”

Even though The Curious Savage came out five decades ago, many high schools are still performing it for audiences today. The simplicity of the studio play, the intimate cast, and character diversity all make the studio play unique.