ELLSWORTH – Who doesn’t need a little laughter after the doldrums of winter? At least, that’s what Ellsworth High School Drama Director Kimberley Catron thinks and we’re inclined to agree.

“When I was looking for play options, I saw this was available and decided to give it a try,” Catron said of this year’s selection, “The Play That Goes Wrong.” “It’s also unique in the sense that the stage crew are actors who do the behind-the-scenes, and often on the stage, work of a real stage crew while acting as if they are stage crew.”

“The Play That Goes Wrong” is an age-old murder mystery with a few twists, Catron said.

“Those members of the Cornely Drama Society have never been able to put on a decent play,” she said. “They are hopeful that The Murder at Haversham Manor will be their redemption. Unfortunately, a small budget and practice issues have set them up for failure, along with broken set pieces, forgotten lines, and unstable walls. Anything that could possibly go wrong … does!”

EHS actors have been rehearsing this family-friendly play two to three times a week since January. The most challenging part of this production has been the set, Catron said.

“Things need to fall off walls and not break, and walls need to fall down without hurting anyone,” she added. “But the most rewarding part, of course, is always watching the cast come together and enjoy themselves up on stage.”

If the recent rainy and gray weather has you feeling blue, this production is the cure.

“We just want the audience to have a lot of belly laughs, because laughter is the best medicine after all,” Catron said.

The drama department is also excited to show off the brand-new lights that were installed in the auditorium (323 W. Hillcrest St., Ellsworth) over Spring Break.

Doors open at 6:20 p.m. April 11-13 with showtimes beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are available only at the door: $5 per adult and $3 per student with open seating.

Cast & Crew

Cornley Drama Society actors

Trevor – Dakota Moldenhauer

Annie – Bre Sympson

Chris – Josie Pechacek

Robert – Josh Kelley

Denise – Rebecca Dendinger

Jonathon – Logan Marcum

Sandra – Madeline Saver

Max – Brett Unser

Stage Crew actors

Breken Young

Loralei Johnson

Kendra Aufderhar

Bridget Dendinger

Isabelle Lane

Lilly Clark

Stage managers: Addie Oelker, Jenna Early

Tech crew stage managers – Jenna Early, Ady Oelker

Sound Board - Eric Baker

Light Board – Axel Simonson

Spotlights – Bailey Oleson, Eden Fritz

Mic Managers – Nora Novak, Elianna Ortiz