MASON CITY – Mason City High School will present ‘A Contrast in Classics’ with the production of two classic theatre adaptations at the Mohawk Performance Hall on Friday, November 8, through Sunday, November 10, 2019. The two contrasting comedies are Macbeth, A Kid’s Cautionary Tale by Nancy Linehan Charles and The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, adapted by Aurand Harris.
Performances are at 7:30 pm Friday and Saturday, with a 2:00 pm matinee on Sunday, November 10th. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students, and are available at the High School office or at the District Administration Offices starting October 28. Tickets will also be available at the door prior to each performance. Handicap accessibility is easiest from the north entrance.
Playwright Nancy Linehan Charles has adapted William Shakespeare’s Macbeth with comedic commentary. As stated by Dramatic Publishing, ‘The Scottish Play’ is retold within a lively and humorous story-theatre frame. Macbeth (Lucas Bartholomew) and his Lady (Margaret Van Steenhuyse) covet the crown while witches, ghosts, and soldiers battle between good and evil. Storytellers are Jennah Bahl, Olivia Bull and Brynn Meyer. Witches are Jade Blaas, Allison Diekema, Jaycee Knutson and Dani Porter. Other cast in alphabetical order: Tyrell Bang (Banquo), Josh Cooling (Duncan), Aaron Ebel (Messenger) and Dean Johnson (Macduff). Soldiers include Hattie Albrecht, Kolby Armstrong, Rose Askildson, Killian Elliott, Markus Elsbernd, Liv Hackbart, Kaitlyn Hagenow, Malia Loberg, Mya McWilliams, Hailey Roberts, Jason Rye, and Kaydence Teeter.
Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest is a masterpiece of British Comedy. As stated by the publisher, this adaptation retains all of the highlights of the play. The plot’s unexpected farcical twists, the characters and the dialogue are sparkling. Leading the cast as Algernon and Jack are seniors: Danny Stephenson and Aidan Colby. Other cast members are Madelin Judkins as Lady Bracknell and Margaret Kruse as her daughter, Gwendolen. Finishing the cast are Erin Foss (Miss Prism), Madysen Penn (Cecily), Ethan Walthall (Rev. Chasuble), Dean Johnson (Lane) and Josh Cooling (Merriman).
The sound and light crew are Joselyn Miller and Jon Losen. Members of the stage crew are Emma Behrends, Eleora Brown, Cassi Judkins, Leighton Penn and Victoria Vonderohe. Art Director is Janet Kostka and Lighting/Set Director is Tim Slaven. The MCHS Drama Director is Mary Alexander.
