Greetings and Happy Easter, fellow Oak Lawnians!
Oak Lawn Community High School’s theater department is hosting its spring productions of three one-act plays on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, April 9-11 at 7 p.m. at the high school, 9400 Southwest Highway. A free performance for senior citizens is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday.
One is William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” a tragedy about two young lovers; another is Sean Michaels’s “Us Conductors,” the true story of a Russian scientist, inventor and spy; and the children’s play is “Dizknee’s Title of Show,” an original work written by students Rocky Martin and Mitchell Mastean, both seniors.
Billy Denton, musical and drama director, said, “We’re very blessed to have a talented group of kids to work with.”
Both Martin and Mastean have performed in many of the school’s plays, but this is their first time directing. They are in charge of their production from start to finish.
“It was 100 percent student-created. It’s their idea. They did an amazing job,” Denton said.
The cast and crew is made up of sophomores, juniors and a few seniors who were selected from more than 80 who auditioned in December. They have been working on the plays since January.
“the students decide the direction of where they want the play to go. They get their own costumes. It’s a very collaborative effort,” Denton said, who also gives credit to co-director Tom Dzurison on the first play, Theresa Smiley, head of the crew; Marcus Warigin, stage manager and head of crew; T.J. Kahriman, and Bob Beland, co-directors of the second play, and Meredith McGuire, producer of all three.
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Several students who have been active in the theatre program are poised to graduate.
“It’s always difficult losing seniors, but we have a nice system in place and have plenty of talent. Lots of freshmen go to the children’s play and move up as the years go by,” Denton said.
Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door and can be purchased from any cast member, by calling the ticket hotline at 708-424-5200 x5920, or via e-mail to Meredith McGuire at [email protected].
Here are this week’s celebrity birthdays: Joan and Mike Fahey send birthday wishes to their grandchildren, Reagan McQuaid, who’s turning 6, and Sydney Daley, who’s turning 19. Rauri Haggerty’s parents wish her a happy 10th birthday. Happy 12th birthday to Jedidiah Byrd, from his grandmothers, Uncle Rob, Brandy and Nemo. Happy 13th birthday to Erik Sevening, from his Uncle Brian, Aunt Gina, Ashley and Rachel. Sandy and Dave Wills send happy 19th birthday wishes to their grandson, David Smith Jr. Meghan Jean’s family wish her a happy 19th birthday. Happy birthday to Sean David, who’s turning 20, from his family. Happy 36th birthday to Vanessa Ciametti, from her family and Sit n’Pretty pals. Happy 37th birthday to Sarah Petzel (yes, we’re related), with love, from her dad, Tom, me, Juan, Sunny and her family. Birthday wishes go out to Nancy Kane from her Uncle Johnny, Aunt Kristi, Danny and Marty. Happy birthday to Debbie Zwartz, from Dan, their children, Shelfee and family. Happy birthday to Jean Bartle, from her family. Dan Seidler wishes his wife, Betty, a happy birthday. Diane Massey’s children and grandchildren wish her a happy birthday. Happy 50th birthday wishes go out to Andy Caruso, from his wife, Linda, and Tina and Julie. Danny Maerker’s, wife, Toni, and Danny wish him a happy 52nd birthday. Happy birthday to Chuck DiNolfo from his family. Birthday wishes go out to Eddie Brand from Debbie, and their family. Aggie Mark wishes her son-in-law, Mike Hoy, a happy birthday
Wedding anniversary wishes go out to Tim and Pam Fleming on their 16th anniversary, from Polly and their family.
Call me at (708) 899-9544 with stuff going on in your family or in the community.
Until next time …
Cheryl Petzel is a freelance columnist.