.
November 9, 2009
Noelle Fujii
This year’s fall play at WHS is “The Odd Couple,” by famed comedy playwright, Neil Simon. With rehearsals four times a week, the production is more ahead of schedule than productions of previous years.
Matthew Ballin, the director, has been teaching at WHS for nine years and has directed 12 plays and produced 15. WHS plays usually don’t get many auditions while other schools get around 50 to 90 auditions but there has never been a shortage of talented WHS students.
“This cast of ‘The Odd Couple’ is one of the best I’ve had!” Ballin said.
This year Ballin has a smaller cast, but he was able to fill talented actors in smaller roles as well. Ballin believes the cast is disciplined and hardworking. The cast has even picked up the comedic timing of the play and the rhythms of Simon’s language.
Sophomore Shana Bishop, the stage manager, said the hardest part about this play is the time spent working on it.
“It’s going to be the best ever! It’s really funny,” Bishop said.
Senior Lorenzo Dominguez, who has been acting for about six years, said everything looks well and the production is progressing nicely.
Ballin was initially worried about opening night being right after Thanksgiving break but he’s now confident that it won’t be an issue. He believes that anyone who sees the show won’t be disappointed.
There are also lower ticket prices for this play starting at $5 for children, $8 for ASB/Senior, and $10 at the door. Opening day is Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. and the play will also show Dec. 5, 10, 11 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 5 at 2 p.m.