WRHS to present 'Proposals'

By SUSAN SCOTT

Special to The Capital-Journal

Anew face can be seen as one enters the colorful drama room of Washburn Rural High School. The face belongs to new drama teacher Connie Archer McGinnis.

She brings with her a new teaching style and new opportunities for drama students and aspiring thespians --- including getting the rights to perform a just-off-Broadway play, Neil Simon's "Proposals."

The school talked to Simon's agent in order to get the rights for the production and is one of the first schools in the country to run this play.

"We feel like we're really on the cutting edge," McGinnis said.

The story focuses on the Hines family at their summer retreat in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania in late August 1953. Every member of the family comes in contact with loves of the past as they sort out their love lives.

"It's a hard plot to explain because it deals with concepts that everyone experiences, but not everyone talks about," junior cast member Katie Pomerantz said. "You'll have to come to the play to understand what I'm talking about."

Critics have given this romantic comedy rave reviews: "Neil Simon's most sweetly personal play!" Newsweek said.

Seniors Heather Bechtold, Mariah DeKnight; juniors Matt Briden, Ryan Hamilton, Ben Meissner, Pomerantz; sophomore Jordan Ungerer; and freshmen Sondra Roman and Wes Seward make up the cast.

"The kids are just really rising to the occasion, and they're really doing a good job," McGinnis said.

Roman said, "Everyone works well together and fits the characters well personality-wise."

The play will be staged today, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in the Washburn Rural auditorium. Tickets are $3 for students and seniors and $4 for adults. Tickets will be sold at the door and also are available at JM Bauersfeld's at S.W. 29th and Wanamaker.

"I hope a lot of people come out and support it," McGinnis said. "Theater isn't just for a group of people in the school, it's for everyone to experience."

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