An uproariously silly tale of time travel will take the stage as Hartland Drama Club presents “A Simpler Time,” Friday through Sunday, Nov. 7-9, at Hartland High School (HHS), 10635 Dunham Road in Hartland. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 7, and Saturday, Nov. 8; and at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, and Sunday, Nov. 9.
In this series of comic vignettes, three friends take a trip through the fourth dimension looking for a simpler time. Whether the characters find themselves fighting with their friends on the night before the Constitution is due, listening in at a telephone switchboard in the 1940s, trying to avoid the more gruesome aspects of medieval times, or exploring a mysterious possible future, only one thing is certain: There’s humor in human nature.
Appropriate for all audiences, “A Simpler Time” features the works of nine playwrights who find the funny and familiar in every era, as told through a collection of 10-minute plays interconnected by a frame story. The playwrights are: Jonathan Dorf, Tyler Dwiggins, Claire Epstein, Kathryn Funkhouser, Patrick Greene, Mora V. Harris, Ian McWethy, Carrie McWethy (McCrossen), and Don Zolidis.
Artistic director Scott Usher says the cast has been fine-tuning its roles to bring another memorable play to the community. “I love telling theatrical stories with my students during every production I have the honor to direct,” he says. “It is so rewarding to see each of my actors take a character from words written on a page and bring that character to life on the stage. ‘A Simpler Time’ gives each of my student actors the opportunity to work on the development of at least one character, and many have the opportunity to develop multiple characters. It’s a fun show with some wonderful comedic moments that has the students and directors eagerly waiting for our audiences to enjoy.”
Seventy HHS students comprise the cast and crew of “A Simpler Time,” lending their many skills and talents to the production, both on stage and behind the scenes — including in the areas of set building, tech, costumes, props, hair and makeup, and more.
According to sophomore and student producer Jackson Albers, who plays three characters, audiences can expect a fun and amusing journey. “Join us to travel through the space-time continuum!” he says. “I hope you are buckled in your seat and prepared to experience both the unforgettable past and the unpredictable future. The ride may be a little bumpy, a LOT of funny, and it might get a little weird at times (but in a good way!). Have fun and don’t get lost!”
Tickets are available online at www.hartlanddramaclub.org and at the door. Individual tickets purchased in advance are $13 for adults and $11 for students and seniors. Tickets purchased at the door are $15 for adults and $13 for students and seniors.
Produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc. (www.playscripts.com).
We talked with some of the students involved in the production below:
Anthony Liloia as Joseph Cribb, Advisor, Mr. Gordon, and Hoff
Parents: Jennifer and Pat Liloia
Grade: Senior
Activities: Robotics, choir, and esports
Hobbies: Guitar, gaming, and snowboarding
Future Plans: College
How do you prepare for comedic roles differently than serious roles?
I think about how the lines are intended to be delivered differently. More serious roles often have straightforward line delivery, while funny roles have subtle differences that are key to humor.
Who is your favorite character to play? Why?
Mr. Gordon. He is so energetic and funny, it’s almost impossible not to enjoy it every time.
What is your backstage survival item?
My water bottle! It saves me so often.
Was there a particularly memorable moment for you in rehearsal?
Every time one of my castmates does something or says something silly.
How has participating in Hartland Drama Club affected your high school experience?
The drama club has been a highlight of my experience at school for some time now. The friends I’ve made and the skills I’ve learned have completely changed my experience in the most positive way.
What will you miss most about Hartland Drama Club after graduation, and what lessons will you take with you?
I’m going to miss all of my wonderful friends and the memories we shared here, and the things I’ve learned will stick with me forever.
Kat Palmer as Vander Crisp and Child 2015/1955
Parent/Guardian: Michelle Soboleski
Grade: Senior
Activities: Drama club
Hobbies: Art, reading, and camping
Future Plans: Attend a four-year university for a degree in biomedical sciences or clinical laboratory science
What can audiences expect when they come to see “A Simpler Time?”
Our audiences are going to meet a lot of witty and wild characters in a short amount of time. Every period the time machine takes them to is something completely unique and different. I think there’s something to make everyone laugh.
Who is your favorite character to play? Why?
Vander Crisp. He’s just such a fun character and I really enjoy his scene as a whole.
What have you learned about your craft and yourself from doing this play?
I have a lot of fun on stage! I always thought I wouldn’t be good at something like acting, and I was too scared to put myself out there for the longest time. I felt like it was too late for me to start, but that wasn’t true at all!
Describe each of your characters in three words.
Vander Crisp: Overworked and underpaid. Child 2015/1955: A little bratty.
Do you find it easy or difficult to “find the funny” on stage? Why?
I can definitely struggle with “finding the funny.” I know why the scene is supposed to be funny and which parts are meant to make you laugh, but actually taking it from the script to the stage takes quite a bit of work for me.
How has participating in Hartland Drama Club affected your high school experience?
I think being in this club has brought me out of my shell. I was first convinced to join the club by some friends, and since then I feel like I’ve become more confident, I have a way easier time talking to new people, and I love getting to spend my time with all these amazing and talented people.
Trenton Mulka as Marley, Dr. Cornwallis, and Alex
Parents: Stacy and Mark Mulka
Grade: Junior
Activities: Marching band, jazz band, theater, and National Honor Society
Hobbies: Playing the alto saxophone, writing, and procrastinating
Future Plans: Go to Michigan State University to become a high school history or English teacher
Who is your favorite character to play? Why?
My favorite character to play is Alex because I get to shout really loudly and get under the skin of my fellow actors.
Which character is most like you in real life, and which is the total opposite?
The character I’m most like is Marley, because no matter what I do, I’ll always procrastinate every little thing until the last possible moment. And the character I’m least like is Dr. Cornwallis, because I don’t have a European accent and I don’t drill holes into people’s heads.
What is your dream role and/or your dream job in the theater world?
My dream role is Mr. Banks from “Mary Poppins” or Judge Frollo from “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” My dream job is to one day work as a director for the Hartland Drama Club.
Was there a particularly memorable moment for you in rehearsal?
During my scene my friend sat down on a chair, and I heard a loud crunch as the chair broke. All I remember after that was having to stay in character until the scene ended.
Describe each of your characters in three words.
Dr. Cornwallis would be quirky, peculiar, and uncanny. Alex would be narcissistic, rude, and a nuisance. And Marley would be goofy, laid back, and lazy.
How has participating in Hartland Drama Club affected your high school experience?
Participating in the drama club has made my high school experience one of the best times in my life. Whenever I have a long day at school, there is nothing I want to do more than go on stage and act my heart out.
Maggie Gray as Marjorie and Chris
Parents: Maureen and Charlie Gray
Grade: Freshman
Activities: Marching band and robotics
Hobbies: Talking!
Future Plans: TBD
What can audiences expect when they come to see “A Simpler Time?”
They can expect to see a great show filled with history, a little fiction, and a lot of laughs.
Do you have a favorite pre-show snack or ritual?
My favorite pre-show snack is peach rings.
Which of your characters would you never want to be stuck in an elevator with? Why?
I would never want to be in an elevator with Chris; they would be spiraling the whole time.
What are your backstage survival items?
Probably my phone and my script. I’m a “screenager” but I’m also forgetful, so both of those things are essential for me.
What is your dream role and/or your dream job in the theater world?
My dream roles would be Heather Duke in “Heathers” and Clarisse in “Percy Jackson.”
How has participating in Hartland Drama Club affected your high school experience?
I definitely feel more comfortable and have more older friends, making the adjustment from middle school to high school much smoother.
Ashley Bernardin, Set Crew
Parents: Michelle and Michael Bernardin
Grade: Senior
Activities: Ranger’s 4-H Club, Livingston County 4-H Program/Ambassadors, Hartland Marching Eagles, Hartland Roll With It Club, Hartland LINK Crew Leader, Snowboarding Club, and Brazilian Jujitsu
Hobbies: Music, art, reading, and photography
Future Plans: Humanities-prelaw major/communications minor
What do you hope the audience will experience because of your crew’s hard work?
I hope they will be in pure awe, and I hope it adds to the magic of the show that the drama club puts on.
What’s your favorite tool to work with on set crew?
Most definitely the ropes!
What are your backstage survival items?
A blanket and something to work on, whether it’s reading a book or working on some homework.
Describe the set crew in three words.
Diligent, adaptable, and resourceful.
How has participating in Hartland Drama Club affected your high school experience?
It has 110% made it better. The drama club is basically just one big family with a bunch of built-in friends, as well as with new ones being made along the way.
What will you miss most about Hartland Drama Club after graduation, and what lessons will you take with you?
I will miss all the jokes while building and painting, along with the exhilarating thrill of the first audience being able to see the set. I will most definitely take with me the lesson of trusting the process — because not everything looks good at first, but it will when it’s done.
