The sets are built, props are in place and lines have been memorized. Actors are in the midst of their final rehearsals. The curtain will go up on the Huntington High School drama club’s production of “The Curious Savage” by John Patrick on Friday night at 7 p.m. and again on Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
The show’s story revolves around Mrs. Savage. “She has been left $10 million by her husband and wants to make the best use of it, in spite of the efforts of her grown-up stepchildren to get their hands on it,” explained drama club director Michael Schwendemann. “Knowing that the widow’s wealth is now in negotiable securities and seeing they cannot get hold of it, commit her to a sanatorium, hoping to bring her to her senses.”
However, Mrs. Savage is unrelenting in her desire to develop a fund to help others realize their hopes and dreams. “In the sanatorium she meets various social misfits, men and women who just cannot adjust themselves to life, people who need the help Mrs. Savage can provide,” Mr. Schwendemann said. “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.”
The play’s dominant mood is one of comedy, which typically leaves audiences with a feeling that the neglected virtues of kindness and affection have not been entirely lost in a world that seems motivated at times by only greed and dishonesty.
The show’s cast includes Layna Abraham, Shannon Milner, Mia Molina, Amber Miles, William Berry, Dylan Brinn, Charlotte Simon, Michaela Dopico, Jack Semelsberger, Sofia Rodriguez, Lily Tierney and unsung our heroes, the understudies; Maggie O’Toole, Madeline Francis, Alisa Arvelo and Sophia Tine.
As the cast developed this week’s show it became clear to them that there was more to the story than meets the eye.
Ms. Tierney, who plays Fairy in the show feels that “’The Curious Savage’ at first glance appears to be simply an entertaining story, but when you dig deeper, family loyalties and tragic tales are revealed and human nature itself is questioned,” she said.
Cast members are excited to be back in the high school auditorium after a more than 18 month hiatus due to COVID-19.
“I think it’s really cool how we’re finally doing a live performance, because it’s been so long and I think it’s really deserved for this cast especially,” said Dylan Brinn, who plays the part of Titus Savage in the show. “We’ve all been working real hard and it’s going to be awesome.”
The show’s student director, Maggie O’Toole said she feels that “everyone in the cast has worked extremely hard in order to make this show amazing and I’m so proud of everyone.”
Tickets are available at the door for $10 for all three shows. Senior citizens will be admitted free to Saturday’s 2 p.m. matinee.
