GREENFIELD — For a crash course on Greek gods and goddesses, check out “The Iliad, the Odyssey and all of Greek Mythology in 99 Minutes or Less” at Greenfield-Central High School.
A dozen cast members tackle the roles of gods and goddesses in a “comedic game show type” format, in a production that promises to be as educational as it is comically entertaining.
The G-C drama department will perform the show three times this weekend, January 26-28.
“It’s very entertaining and fast-paced. You learn a lot in such a short amount of time,” said sophomore Cailey Michalisko, 16, who plays the role of Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, among other things.
“She’s so cool, and she’s the goddess of hunting, which is really special because I hunt with my dad,” she said.
The young actress said she had to do a fair bit of research to prepare for the role.
“I had to Google a lot at first to learn about it, but I feel like I’m probably an expert (on Artemis) by this point,” said Cailey, who dons a white toga and colorful sash throughout the production, along with the rest of the cast.
Drama club member Alex Plisinski, a junior, has had a lot of fun helping to create the chest plates and weapons for the production as part of the props crew.
Among his favorites is a giant hammer that can be spun in circles and a wave effect that creates the illusion of fire.
While he’s enjoyed working behind the scenes, the 17-year-old is no stranger to the stage, having acted in four G-C Drama productions. He’s enjoyed watching his friends bring the latest production on Greek mythology to life.
“I think all the actors are really good,” he said.
Fellow junior Charlotte Phillips agrees.
“I love how everyone gets to show off their different talents,” said Charlotte, 17, who has performed in three G-C Drama productions, but is serving as assistant director for this show.
“This is my first time as an assistant director, which is a lot more stressful,” she said. “There are so many different hats to wear, and sometimes you have to make decisions that may not be popular with the cast, but that benefit them in the end.”
Drama teacher Kristen Newlin can’t wait for the public to see what an impressive job the cast and crew are do with the fast-paced production.
“The story of these Greek myths is told in a comedic, game-show-type style. All of the actors in the show are aware that they are acting as these characters, which adds to the comedy of the show,” she said.
“The play was technically written for only five people to play over 20 roles each, (but) I knew I had to break that down even more so I could get more students involved,” said Newlin, who settled on a cast of 12, with more than 40 students serving in backstage crews.
The cast includes seniors Madisyn Bayne, Cadence Burnett, Annalisia Gustin, Sam Houston, Katelyn Johnson, Emmy Mills and Korbin Phelps; sophomores Cailey Michalisko, Ayzee Steele and Carter Wilson; and freshmen Fransico Aguilar and Riley Lederman.
With weeks of preparation and hours-long rehearsals each day after school, Cailey said the cast and crew are a tight-knit bunch.
“Everyone works so hard and gets so close, it becomes like family. It’s a very fun environment,” she said.
This weekend’s production takes the stage at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26 and Saturday, Jan. 27 and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 28.
Tickets are available both in advance and at the door. For advance tickets, visit gcscdrama.weebly.com/tickets.
