By Staff Report
The Chipley High School Theatre Department, under the direction of Kevin Russell, is currently in full rehearsals for their fall theatre production, “The Curious Savage.” Following an afternoon of auditions, Russell cast the following students: Jenny Davenport as Ethel Savage, Nathanael Banta as Titus Savage, Gavin Kindig as Samuel Savage, Sydney Smith as Lily Belle Savage, Cait Taylor as Florence, James Cook as Hannibal, Shelby Brock as Fairy Mae, LaÂ’Darius Sirmons as Jeffrey, Gracie Lamb as Mrs. Paddy, Jasmine Gawronski as Miss Wilhelmina, and Isabella Abel as Dr. Emmett. Jennah Armstrong will serve as stage manager.
The Story: Mrs. Savage has been left ten million dollars by her husband and wants to make the best use of it, in spite of her grown-up stepchildren’s efforts to get their hands on it. Knowing that the widow’s wealth is now in negotiable securities, and seeing they cannot get hold of the fortune, the stepchildren commit her to a sanatorium hoping to “bring her to her senses.” In the sanatorium Mrs. Savage meets various social misfits, men and women who just cannot adjust themselves to life, people who need the help Mrs. Savage can provide. In getting to know them, she realizes that she will find happiness with them and plans to spend the rest of her life as one of them. But when the doctor tells her there is no reason why she should remain, she hesitates to go out into a hard world where people seem ready to do anything for money. The self-seeking stepchildren are driven to distraction by their vain efforts to browbeat Mrs. Savage, but she preserves her equanimity and leads them on a merry chase. At last her friends conspire to get rid of her stepchildren, and through their simple belief in the justice of her cause, they enable Mrs. Savage to carry out her plans to establish a fund to help others realize their hopes and dreams. The dominant mood is high comedy, and the audience is left with a feeling that the neglected virtues of kindness and affection have not been entirely lost in a world that seems at times motivated only by greed and dishonesty.
The Curious Savage, written by John Patrick and licensed through Dramatist Play Service, Inc. will take the stage at 7 p.m. nightly on November 9 and 11. General Admission Tickets will be available at the door each night of the event or from any cast member the week prior to the performances. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and children.
Chipley High School is located at 1545 Brickyard Road in Chipley, Florida. For more information, email [email protected], or call 850-6100.
The Curious Savage is sponsored in part by the Chipley High School Thespian Society Troupe 8894.
KINSLEY COOK