Oxford High School’s Performing Arts Center is going to be overrun by giant cockroaches at 7:01 p.m. Friday, April 18.
Don’t worry the school isn’t secretly building a nuclear reactor or conducting weird genetic experiments as part of the new curriculum.
It’s just the talented members of the Oxford Middle School Drama Club putting on their annual play entitled, ‘Chateau La Roach.?
‘These kids have really put a lot into this show both on stage and behind the scenes,? said Director and Drama Club Adviser Jack Gray. ‘They have done a phenomenal job with a large script and several interesting accents.?
Written by Lauren Wilson, the comedic play takes the audience through a zany weekend at Chateau Laroche, a small lakeside hotel in America owned by a French couple, Francois (Zach Throne) and Mimi Laroche (Larissa Krueger).
‘It is a great show full of lots of sight gags and physical comedy,? Gray said. ‘When I read it, I was reminded of the old Fawlty Towers (TV) series with John Cleese.?
As they’re preparing the hotel for a big weekend full of very important guests, the Laroches are horrified to discover they have an enormous cockroach problem.
This could spell big trouble for the proprietors as they’re expecting visits from a famed travel writer (Elizabeth Schonfeld) and a health inspector disguised as a typical guest. Shhhh . . . he or she is there for a surprise visit.
However, the guests are anything but typical in this wacky play full of fast-paced dialogue.
A bratty, 10-year-old child star (Evan Tazzia) and his snooty Hollywood manager (Rachel Crain), a British bicyclist (Dan Stockard) pedaling his way across America, a wealthy widow (Olivia Wagonlander) and her psychic (Catina Richter), a nun (Maryann Stockard) and a couple of newlyweds on their honeymoon (Sammi Kurk and Wesley McBride) are all expected to check in for a weekend they’ll never forget. But which one of them is the health inspector?
The Laroches launch an all-out war on the roaches as the odd collection of hotel staff members struggle to hide the insect infestation from guests.
Hotel staff members include a clumsy, forgetful bellhop (Jillian Walker), hot-blooded Italian chef (Janelle Zucarro), panicky elevator operator (Shelby Hruska) and a maid (Daniele Smith) and waitress (Jessie Ojeda), who are both sweet, but strange.
Despite the best efforts of overly-zealous exterminator, Roskel T. Goomey (Liz LaBrash), the roaches quickly adapt to his chemical assault and begin to grow larger and larger. ‘There is even a giant, mutated cockroach who can sing show-tunes,? Gray said.
Meanwhile, the health inspector starts to hallucinate after mistakenly using toxic bug powder (instead of Parmesan cheese) on his spaghetti. Mama mia!
‘The physical comedy is a lot of fun with middle school kids and the large cast gave me an opportunity to involve many more students than most of the shows that we have done in the past,? Gray said.
Involving as many students with different talents and skills as possible is what drama club’s all about. ‘I think that it is important to remember that drama is a place for students to go where they can feel like they belong and have accomplished something,? he said. ‘I have over 50 students working on this show and I turn away no one (unless there are) serious behavioral issues. Everyone has a job and contributes greatly.?
This is the first time a middle school play will be performed at the OHS Performing Arts Center. Gray described the experience as ‘hectic, but exciting.?
‘It is so great to not have to worry about lights, sound, setting up chairs, etc,? he said. ‘I am very pleased to be performing there. The cast and crew are very excited as well.?
Tickets for ‘Chateau La Roach? are $4 for adults 18 or older and $2 for everyone under 18. All proceeds go to the OMS Drama Club.
General admission seating begins at 6:30 p.m.