Weston High School's ‘Stage Door’ is about to open

Written by Rachel Mitchell, WHS Company
Saturday, 07 November 2009 00:00

It’s that time of year again. Weston High School’s theater group, Company, is getting ready to perform.

The fall drama, Stage Door, is opening Friday, Nov. 13. The play is a 1930’s-era comedy following the lives of a household of aspiring actresses.

In contrast to some of Company’s recent productions — like the notoriously small 12-person cast of Arcadia in 2007 — Stage Door features a large, girl-heavy cast with many major supporting roles.

“It gives an opportunity for more than the normal three to four leads that are in a straight play. In Stage Door, the lives and struggles of all the characters are developed to varying extents; the lines and the limelight are shared among the cast,” said the play’s director, Damian Long.

Current demographics of the Company group are reflected in the play itself. Entire scenes in Stage Door go by without an appearance from a single male character. “It’s interesting when we have male members of the cast at rehearsals,” said Mr. Long. “They are often in the same position as their characters in the play: Wandering into a houseful of actresses, feeling a little overwhelmed, feeling the need — at the same time — to assert themselves,” he said.

But the male cast members aren’t complaining. Charlie Killoran, who plays the father of the leading lady, Terry Randall (played by Ali Bauman), said, “It’s a fun show — there’s lots of jokes and laughs and music and revelry. I could spend every hour after school rehearsing and I’d be totally happy … It’s just a party!”

Stage Door will be performed at the Weston High School auditorium on Friday, Nov. 13, and Saturday, Nov. 14, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 15, at 3. Tickets are $6 for student/seniors and $10 for adults, and will be sold at the door.