Productions set for March 8-11

Connor Andersen and Nathan Wachsmuth rehearse a scene from “Anatomy of Gray.” Greg Seubert Photo

Theatre Weekend in Waupaca – scheduled for Thursday through Sunday, March 8-11 – will present “Anatomy of Gray,” a Waupaca High School play, and “Luna Gale,” a Waupaca Community Theatre production.

Set in the small town of Gray, Indiana, Jim Leonard’s “Anatomy of Gray” tells a story from June Muldoon, a teenaged girl whose father has recently died. Distressed by his death, she prays for a healer to come to Gray and “fix” those sick in her town.

Coincidentally, the healer/doctor who arrives in a hot air balloon is also named Gray. All is well until the town is suddenly afflicted with a mysterious plague. At this point, the community questions the validity of the doctor and accuses him of spreading the plague.

“Even though the play sounds intensely serious, many humorous events take place, such as when the town’s preacher must stand on his head to lessen the pain of his kidney stone,” said Monica Reeves, the play’s director. “It’s a wonderful play for all ages.”

Lead actors in the show students Bailey Seefeldt, Mary Zelinske and Nathan Wachsmuth. Supporting characters are Shae Wright, Conner Andersen, Molly Montgomery, Sam Abrahamson, Derek Emerson and Abby Perket and the townspeople include Mady Waid, Kayla Cain, Conner Loken, Marina Thern, Seth Rowland, Jillian Sieckert and Izzy Herrera. The technical crew consists of Lillian Sommer, Amanda Mallasch, Colin Studinski, Dominick Silva, Laura Peterson, Ally Shamiso and Valentine Mukwazhi.

The assistant director is Michael Etzwiler, who also served as this year’s music choreographer.

“Anatomy of Gray” will be performed in a unique “studio theatre” in which the audience sits on the stage while the actors perform.

“I used this setup four years ago and the audience loved the closeness of the seating,” Reeves said. “It’s also a unique acting experience for the students.”

Due to this design, seats are limited to 100 per performance, which will be held in the school’s Performing Arts Center.

Tickets ($10 for adults and $5 for students) can be purchased at the high school office or at the door.

The show schedule includes 7:30 p.m. performances Friday and Saturday, March 9-10, and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 11. The show is 90 minutes in length.

“Luna Gale” by Rebecca Gilman, a Pulitzer Prize-nominated playwright, will also have a “studio theatre” setup at the historic Waupaca Train Depot.

Only 45 seats are available for each performance. Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, March 8-9, and 2 p.m. Saturday, March 10.

The drama highlights the struggle of a small-town social worker who has to take a stand for the best interest of an infant caught up a custody battle. It tells the story of a young couple who have a beautiful baby and a meth addiction and shows the difficult choices of parents, grandparents and those charged with protecting children.

The cast of veteran actors from Waupaca Community Theatre, Sweet Lips, Third Avenue Playhouse, Door Shakespeare and Waupaca High School as well as first-time thespians include Kay Ellingson, Michaela Kraft, Isaac Baumgart, Melinda Neuroth, Claire Florence Wheeler, Steve Wilson and Patrick Enright.

Tickets are $10 and are available at The Bookcellar and The Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce office.