May 19, 2022

Illusions in Three One-Act Plays

May 19, 2022

The GWCS spring theatre production was named after a famous quote by Voltaire, “Illusion is the first of all pleasures.” This production got it’s name for the common thread that the three one acts shared: None of them was rooted in reality!

In the Actor’s Nightmare by Christopher Durang, an accountant named George (or Stanley) finds himself trapped in a nightmare, or perhaps an alternate reality, and cannot force himself to wake-up. George (played by Evan) finds himself surrounded by an assortment of odd characters (played by Jay, Lauren, Dakota, Luther and Alex) who seem frustrated that he doesn’t know his lines, and then angered because he cannot accept his fate. In the end, he is finally set free by the executioner’s blade (they say you can’t dream your own death…).

The second act was Variations on the Death of Trotsky by David Ives. This play was also not tied to reality in that it is revealed to be a random collection of thoughts being generated by Trotsky’s brain as he lies dying in a Hospital in Mexico City. Trotsky (played by Luther) and Mrs. Trotsky (played by Dakota) share many moments from the end of their days, some funny, some sad, some directed especially at the flowers in the garden. The gardener, a Spanish communist named Ramon (played by Evan) haunts Trotsky in his fading memories and jumbled thoughts. It’s not easy to organize your thoughts with a mountain climber’s axe buried in your skull!!

In the third act, Sure Thing by David Ives, Bill (played by Xavier) and Betty (played by Nadia) meet in a local gathering place and get acquainted. They stumble through some clumsy small talk trying to find a meaningful connection. Luckily for them, every time a ‘deal breaker’ is muttered by either character, a bell (played by Ms. N.O.) rings and the characters receive a reprieve and the blunder is erased and the characters go back to their charming selves! If the bell lasts long enough, they might just hit it off. It’s all in the timing!

After three delays in scheduling, changing plays several times, and gaining and losing cast members early and late in the process, what eventually made it to the stage might have been the funniest hour of comedy that the GWCS Players have ever produced. Students, staffs, and alumni raved about the transformative fun that was had by all. Thanks to all the actors: Evan, Dakota, Luther, Lauren, Alex, Xavier, and Nadia and to our hard working backstage crew-of-two: Vinni and Gabby.

It's not too late to sign-up for the fall show coming in December!