This year’s fall play is an ambitious production that will feature energetic performances of three of Shakespeare’s greatest hits — Julius Caesar, The Taming of the Shrew, and Macbeth — along with a Shakespearean spin on the classic folktale, “The Three Little Pigs.”
“I’m excited for the fall play because it’s Shakespeare in a very accessible, very appealing way,” said Drama Teacher Eileen Poole. “Plus, our version of Macbeth is very interactive, so the audience will have as much fun as the cast will!”
More than 20 students will take on various roles in the four plays.
“The cast is awesome!” said Poole. “This is exactly the combo I want because the new kids have ready-made mentors, and the veterans have a chance to be role models and also learn new things.”
The Wee Triple Swine of Briarvine is a humorous and clever adaptation of the familiar story of “The Three Little Pigs” adapted by Bill Schulte. The story and characters are similar, with the same three pigs and the big bad wolf as the center of the story. The cast will rotate every performance. The first week features Haley Hengsteler and Aubrey Brazie as the Narrator; Brooklyn Gilson as Piglet 1; Brayden Burris as Piglet 2; Sophia Ibarra as Piglet 3; and Murolo Patchin as the Wolf. The second week features Isabella Nordyke and Lilliana Padilla in the role of the Narrator; Brooklyn Rinaldi as Piglet 1; Delanie Gilham as Piglet 2; Gabby Acosta as Piglet 3; and Jaiden Carter as the Wolf. For the third week, Dain Johnson and Jocelyn Siebert will perform as the Narrator; Anika Walters as Piglet 1; Khloe Olson as Piglet 2; Arianna Olivas as Piglet 3; and Annabelle Grubs as the Wolf. For the final week, Emilia Tippetts serves as the Narrator; Savannah Edwards as Piglet 1; Axel Dack as Piglet 2; Adria Albright as Piglet 3; and Olive Patterson as the Wolf.
The second feature, Julius Caesar, lists Dain Johnson and Logan Blanton as Caesar; Murolo Patchin as Cassius; Brayden Burris as Casca; Brooklyn Gillson as Calpurnia; Khloe Olson as Antony; Savannah Edwards as Brutus; Haley Hengsteler as Portia; Gabby Acosta as the Soothsayer; Jocelyn Siebert as Cinna the Poet; Axel Dack as Decius; Liliana Padilla as the Ghost of Caesar; Aubrey Braize as Pindarus; Isabella Nordyke and Anika Walters as the Narrator; and all members acting as the Chorus.
It was written in the 1600s, but the real story of Julius Caesar happened around 44 BCE. As Burroughs sophomores know from their own study of the play, the tragedy follows the downfall of Julius Caesar and the conspiracy against him.
In contrast to the Rome-set tragedy, The Taming of the Shrew is a Shakespearean comedy that follows the character of Petruchio, who makes a risky bet that he can marry Katharina, a turbulent but very rich lady.
The list for the farcical compedy includes Olive Patterson as Kate; Brooklyn Gillson as Petruchio; Jaiden Carter as Baptista; Emilia Tippetts as Bianca; Liliana Padilla as Gremio; Brayden Burris as Grumio; Anabelle Grubs as Lucentio; Adria Albright as Tranio; Axel Dack as Biondello; Delanie Gilham, Heath Ralston, Gabriel Morrison, and Arianna Olivas as the servants; Sophia Ibarra as The Widow; Dain Johnson as The Widow’s Date; and Brooklyn Rinaldi as the narrator.
For the final feature of Macbeth, the cast has Dain Johnson as Macbeth; Savannah Edwards as Lady Macbeth; Brayden Burris and Logan Blanton as King Duncan; Murolo Patchin as Banquo; Khloe Olson as Macduff; Olive Patterson, Jaiden Carter, Anabelle Grubs, Isabelle Nordyke, Anika Walters, and Liliana Padilla as the six witches; Delanie Gilham, Brooklyn Rinaldi, and Gabby Acosta as Atmosphere Witches or understudies for the six witches; Axel Dack, Adria Albright, Heath Ralston, Gabriel Morrison, Ariana Olivas, Logan Blanton and Rowan Zade as the soldiers; and Haley Hengsteler, Emilia Tippetts, Brooklyn Gillson, Sophia Ibarra, and Jocelyn Seibert as the storytellers.
This is another classic tragedy of Shakespeare. It follows the story of a Scottish general who ambitiously murders the king to take the throne, only to soon find himself descending into tyranny and madness.
This year’s performances will be Nov. 7, 8, 14 and 15.
