Drama club presents ?N.O. Mercy?
It?s a mystery. It?s a comedy. It?s a fine way to spend a Friday or Saturday evening. The Onaway High School Drama Club is getting in last minute preparations in order to present its first production of the year, a play entitled ?N.O. Mercy,? which was written by retired teacher Peg Herring.
The play is directed by Sarah Ross-Koves, an Onaway Middle School social studies and English teacher. Ross-Koves said the production offers a bit of everything for every audience.
?THE PLAY takes place at North Ohio (N.O.) Mercy Hospital, and centers around an incapacitated patient who can only hear,? said Ross-Koves. ?All that is known?is that someone tried to kill this unknown man.?
The unknown man is played by senior John Pomranke. Two doctors, played by junior Grant Malone and senior Greg Ellenberger, attempt to determine the patient?s condition.
Meanwhile, two nurses, played by Serena Green and Sarah Prall, tend to the crazy patients who are admitted into the hospital, including Bob the Hypochondriac (Nathan Brasseur), Rajemi the Foreigner (Ben Ellenberger), Crazy Cleo (Sam McAtee), and poor Mr. Behr (Ben Ellenberger), who is a man overwhelmed by his wife and numerous children.
?The mystery is trying to figure out what happened to this unknown man,? said Ross-Koves. ?The audience will only be able to hear his voice (stream of consciousness), as the characters attempt to solve the mystery behind who tried to kill him.?
?This play is also very funny,? said Ross-Koves. ?The foreigner worships a grapefruit that resembles George W. Bush, and there are?other patients who are very humorous.?
This is Ross-Koves? second year at Onaway Area Community Schools. She collaborated with veteran teacher Peg Herring in drama last year.
?Peg had been involved with drama at the school for years before she retired,? said Ross-Koves. ?She wrote this play, and I am now taking over the program for her.?
The play is a student production, with more than 20 students involved, including the cast, set crew, lighting, sound, and makeup.
?THE ADVANCED Shop Class helped by building walls and supports for our set,? said Ross-Koves, ?and the local VF
This production also marks the first time for middle school students are involved. ?We have some middle school students playing the part of children,? said Ross-Koves. ?We are hoping to eventually do a middle school production.?
Ross-Koves said the community could support the Drama Club by attending the Friday and Saturday evening productions at 7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria of OHS.
?This is one of the only performing arts in Onaway,? said Ross-Koves. ?Coming to the play will support the kids, plus it?s good entertainment.?
The cost of admission is $3, but two nights can be purchased for $5. Ross-Koves said a spring production is being planned for March.