Shelby Fausnaught, Ryan Garrett, Katherine Coleman and Cory Conway rehearse a scene from "Twitch", one of three short, weird plays on the CCC stage Feb. 11-13.
Strange new neighbors can come from anywhere, as Don and Nancy, a childless suburban couple, discover in “Twitch,” a one-act comedy by Stephen Gregg to be presented by the Coffeyville Community theatre department Feb. 11-13.
The evening also features “Second Best Bed,” a short play by Tim Kelly as produced and staged by the South Coffeyville High School Drama Club, and “While You Were Sleeping,” another short comedic offering by Alex Broun. Curtain is 7:30 p.m. in the Spencer / Rounds Performing Arts Theatre, with the house opening at 7 p.m., all three nights. There is no charge for admission.
In “Twitch,” Don (played by Cory Conway, freshman from Towanda) and Nancy (played by Shelby Fausnaught, freshman from Parsons) meet their “quirky” new neighbors, Aiden (played by Ryan Garrett, freshman from Tulsa) and Emma (played by Katherine Coleman, freshman from Clay Center), whose purpose is to enlist Don and Nancy in a surprising “mission.”
“No spoiler alerts here,” said Allen Twitchell, CCC theatre director, “but it’s evident early on that Aiden and Emma are not exactly what they seem.”
Assisting with the production is Elia Saucedo, freshman from Holton.
The evening continues with “Second Best Bed,” a short romantic fantasy concerning the mysterious provision in the will of William Shakespeare that leaves nothing but their “second best bed” to his widow Anne Hathaway.
Directed by Brooke Hampton, the cast includes Katelyn Shearhart as Dorothy (the maid), Kristina Sharpton as Virginia (a gossipy neighbor), Chasey Rexwinkle as Nell (another gossipy neighbor), Brooke Hampton as Prudence (yet another gossipy neighbor), Brittany Sullivan as Marchette (busybody sister of Shakespeare’s lawyer), Selena Miller as Anne, Kassidee Rexwinkle as Judith (Anne’s younger daughter) and Ariel Yeoman as Susanna (Anne’s elder daughter).
The stage manager is Marissa Beckstrom.
“We are delighted to share our stage with SCHS,” said Twitchell. “I really applaud their efforts to help keep the performing arts alive and well in the area.”
The night concludes with “While You Were Sleeping,” Broun’s short piece about the potential hazards of the technological age in which we live, especially where “texting” is concerned.
The cast features Amy King, sophomore from Delaware, as Kym; Ahrend Salas, freshman from San Jose, Calif., as Dave (Kym’s fiancé), Rachel Giacin, freshman from Ottawa as Jennifer, Kym’s co-worker, and Danielle Whitney, freshman from Delaware, as Kym’s mother Ava.
CCC’s 2015-16 season wraps up with “Hairspray,” the rollicking Broadway musical, April 21-23.