As the fall season comes to a close, the Wapiti Players put on another show-stopping performance. The play, Fools by Neil Simon, depicts a town cursed by stupidity. In the small village of Kulyenchikov, schoolmaster Leon Tolchinsky comes to try to break the curse. Upon his arrival, he is faced with stupid questions, a girl who does not even know how to sit down, and Count Yousekevitch fighting him for the chance to love the most beautiful girl in town.
This past weekend, November 8 and 9, the play took the stage to display the hard work of the cast and crew. The performances brought the story to life, as both new and returning actors gave it their all. Through each show, scene, and rehearsal, this cast grew into a tight-knit community, supporting each other through each up and down. This support was highlighted during a minor technical issue during one of the shows. Not only did the show go on, but the actors continued the story as if it never happened. The professionalism and talent of the cast shone through much deeper than a script could cover.
The shows had a great student, faculty, and family turnout, receiving a standing ovation after the opening night performance. New to the Winchendon stage, Ian Lee ‘26 took the stage in the lead role, as he commanded the stage and conquered each monologue. This show was memorable for all involved, as the complex jokes and long days all came together into a performance to be proud of. Returning junior, Katie Wyman ‘26, recounts her experience, saying her favorite part of the show was “getting to rehearse lines with each other and bond throughout tech rehearsals. While the week of three-hour-long rehearsals can be tiring, they never fail to have lots of laughs and memories that bring us closer”.
For many students, the different theater performances throughout the year are an opportunity to express themselves and gain new experiences. Each season, there are both new and returning faces to the stage. The cast and crew of Fools deserve another round of applause for their hard work. Now, we look forward to the upcoming performances. Coming up, the winter showcase is themed around Hollywood Hits- taking from major scenes and songs from Broadway to Hollywood- and one of the most awaited shows of the year, the spring musical, is on deck, as Mean Girls comes to the stage. We can’t wait to see all that the theater department has in store.
Written By Reagan Kelley ’25
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