Several popular reality TV shows will be spoofed as the Oxford Middle School Drama Club presents ‘The Bachelor King? April 30 and May 1 at the high school’s Performing Arts Center.
Both shows will begin at 7:01 p.m. and admission is $5 for adults. Students and children are free.
The comedic play, written by Martin A. Follose, focuses on what happens when dying King Evian, played by Aaron Smith, passes his throne to Yokel, a hapless hillbilly portrayed by Evan Tazzia.
Drama Club adviser Jack Gray said the kids love the play.
‘I gave them a chance to write a couple of short scenes,? he noted. ‘They have really shown ownership in the show . . . It is the students who have done the real work here, not me. That is what makes my heart fill up with pride.?
In the story, everyone agrees Yokel needs a wife to help him run the kingdom, so his staff brings in young ladies to vie for his affections in a competition reminiscent of ‘The Bachelor.?
Competing to win the new king’s heart are Miss Agatha Peabody, a high-society matron played by Jaclyn Duronio; Priscilla Tradewells-Ayers-Hollander-Morley, a four-time bride/gold digger played by Stephanie White; Sally Valley, a ditzy cheerleader from Los Angeles played by Holly Vedolich; Crushin? Kanisha, a New York gangster-type played by Taylor Boes; and Jane Claxton, a true-hearted cowgirl from Texas played by Alyson Ryskamp.
Contests that parody reality TV shows ‘American Idol? and ‘Survivor? will be used to test these five ladies? abilities.
Gray said the actresses playing the wannabe queens ‘all take turns stealing the show as the competitive, though rather untalented, bachelorettes.?
‘Just wait until you hear the screeching of Peabody’s opera singing or see the threatening glares of tough girl Crushin? Kanisha,? he noted.
But picking a wife isn’t Yokel’s only problem as head of state. He’s also dealing with the skyrocketing price of gasoline, jobs being outsourced overseas, a falling stock market and a self-appointed personal advisor, Frederick Pilfer, who’s busy draining the royal treasury.
Pilfer is played by Wesley McBride.
As if all that wasn’t bad enough, Yokel has to watch his back because vengeful Prince Daft, played by Logan Mace, is hatching a series of unsuccessful, harebrained assassination plots against him in an effort to claim the throne.
Can Yokel find true love, save his kingdom from collapsing and avoid being bumped off by rival royalty?
See the play and find out.
It’s guaranteed to have the one thing reality TV shows are missing ? talent. Ayers-Hollander-Morley, a four-time bride/gold digger played by Steph White; Sally Valley, a ditzy cheerleader from Los Angeles played by Holly Vedolich; Crushin? Kanisha, a New York ganster-type played by Taylor Boes; and Jane Claxton, a true-hearted cowgirl from Texas played by Ally Ryskamp.
Contests that parody reality shows ‘American Idol? on FOX and ‘Survivor? on CBS will be used to test these five ladies? abilities.
Gray said the actresses playing the wanna-be-queens ‘all take turns stealing the show as the competitive, through rather untalented, bachelorettes.?
‘Just wait until you hear the screeching of Peabody’s opera singing or see the threatening glares of tough girl Crushin? Kanisha,? he noted.
But picking a wife isn’t Yokel’s only problem as head of state. He’s also dealing with the skyrocketing price of gasoline, jobs being outsourced overseas, a falling stock market and a self-appointed personal advisor, Frederick Pilfer, who’s busy draining the royal treasury.
Pilfer is played by Wes McBride.
As if all that wasn’t bad enough, Yokel has to watch his back because vengeful Prince Daft, played by Logan Mace, is hatching a series of unsuccessful, harebrained assassination plots against him in an effort to claim the throne.
Can Yokel find true love, save his kingdom from collapsing and avoid being bumped off by rival royalty?
See the play and find out.
It’s guaranteed to have the one thing reality TV shows are missing ? talent.