"IS HE DEAD?" OPENS TONIGHT!

 THE STUDENT PRODUCTION 2022: IS HE DEAD?

By Kavya Kamath

Imagine: you’re a young French painter of genius, wracked by debt and despair, threatened with prison by the villainous picture-dealer Bastien Andre, and just wishing you could marry the love of your life…who happens to also be the love of Andre. The solution? Kill yourself…at least that’s what the public should think. After all, painters do not glean fame nor fortune until they’re dead.

But how to live as a dead man and still pursue your passion, love, and life as you know it? That’s the conundrum of Jean Francios Millet in Is He Dead?, a comedy written by Mark Twain, adapted by David Ives, and being presented by the Sparta High School Drama Club this Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm in the MRC. The SHS Drama Club has been working since March on Sparta High’s third theatrical production of every year. In fact, the Student Production is chosen, cast, directed, and performed entirely by the students of Drama Club.

Directed by Laurel Ferguson and starring Mel Schweizer as Jean Francios Millet, the two renowned names aren’t the only fan-favorites you’ll see. Katie Sheeran, Meghan Smith, and Paige DeGiovanni feature as Millet’s lovable trio of sidekicks while Tyrese Nagamos and Gianna Ramieri play plucky neighborhood ladies, amongst other parts. Miranda Smith (no relation to Meghan, unfortunately) and Shea Harrison both play an assortment of characters while Julianne Handzus, Hana Kachersky, and Joey Flynn play Millet’s lover and family. Finally, the infamous Bastien Andre, the foil to Millet, the ruin of Leroux (played by Joey Flynn), and the creditor from hell, is brought to life by Julia Kadar. Aside from the brilliant cast, the stage crew (headed by Annika Noel) worked to create sets reminiscent of a poor painter’s flat and wealthy widow’s parlor. Lighting designer Kaden Kambak managed to bring lighting to the MRC even with a lack of technical infrastructure and sound designer Frankie Lloyd pulled a soundtrack together in a week. Truly an incredible group, in both talent and resolve in the face of almost every challenge, the 2022 Student Production isn’t one to miss.

Besides embodying natural comedy and the hard work of over two dozen students, what the Student Production really represents is honest, genuine, grassroots theater. It is love of drama for its own sake, no fame or fortune or glitz or glamor (like pre-‘death’ Millet)... which makes for a beautiful show.

Tickets are $5 for students and seniors, $10 for general admission, and can be bought with cash only at the door of the SHS MRC. As mentioned prior, the shows are at 7pm on Tuesday, May 24th, and 7pm Thursday, May 26th. We cannot wait to see you there!

Cast Photo :)