Goodrich- The doctor is in.
‘The Good Doctor,? that is. The Neil Simon play will come to life in November on the stage of the Raymond C. Green Center for the Performing Arts at Goodrich High School.
‘This is my largest cast since ‘My Fair Lady,?? says GHS theater director Steve Mitchell, adding he selected the large cast purposely to draw new students into the theater program.
? I wanted to get as many new students involved with this show as possible,? says Mitchell, who had several theater students graduate last year. ‘This was a show that, the way it’s formulated… I could cast a lot of newer kids.?
The formulation to which Mitchell refers to is the manner in which the play is divided into a series of turn-of-the-century vignettes with the character of a narrator, played by senior Aaron Patrick, being the only common thread throughout.
‘In the last play, I played a 12-year-old,? laughs Patrick, 17, ‘so this is a little different.?
‘The Good Doctor? is playwright Neil Simon’s comical take on the writings of Russian physician Anton Chekhov.
Mitchell describes the humor of the play as ranging from dead pan to slapstick.
‘I think there will be a little something for everyone in the play,? says Mitchell.? There’s moments of big farcical humor and there’s other things that are more ‘twist of phrase? humor?.
Additionally, the play features one musical number, which Mitchell says seems a bit out of place with its melancholy melody, but still works nicely in the piece.
‘There’s a lot of universal elements in the play I think we can all relate to,? says Mitchell.
‘I’ve got a lot of student actors that this is their first time on the stage,? says Mitchell. ‘They are excited and eager to bring this to life.?
Freshman Rachel Hull, 13, is one of the newcomers.
‘I play the actress auditioning for a role,? says Hull. ‘It’s such a unique play; it’s not one big play, it’s a bunch of little plays put together. That makes it unique.?
Hull says her experience so far with the play has been enjoyable.
‘It’s so much fun,? says Hull. ‘I wouldn’t want to do anything else in the world.?