Comedy to open South’s theater year
by Michael Kraft, entertainment editor

The Innocent’s Crusade, the first fall show for the South Campus theater department, will premiere Wednesday, Oct. 17.

The cast, under the direction of Doug Davidson, has been working much of the semester to get the play ready for October.

Allen Randall, who plays Bill Sherman, the male lead, says the play has really been fun.

“This is one of my largest roles, and it’s been very positive. I’ve enjoyed it,” he said.

The play is about the relationship between Bill and his father, Karl, played by Shannon Sackett, and his mother, Mame, played by Rene Finkenkelle.

The play revolves around Bill and his parents as they travel to different colleges for Bill’s interview with different administrators.

“Bill is very insecure. He can’t seem to decide what to do with his life,” Randall said.

Sackett, who enjoys being back in theater after a break, describes his character.

“Karl is very overbearing. Life has beaten him, and he is trying to live through his son,” he said.

Mame, Bill’s mother, mediates between Karl and Bill. Finkenkeller says that Mame is very supportive of Bill, despite Karl.
“This has been my most challenging role to date,” she said.

Djemal Burris, an accomplished actor, has been given five different characters to portray.

“Playing five distinctly different characters is difficult as an actor when you have to think of various characterizations, keeping eye contact and making each one unique. But the different roles also created problems with costuming and make-up,” he said.

Burris plays Tommy, Mr. Clancy, Teller, Mr. Coover and Stephen.

Burris actually found a career in acting through TCC and now works through an agency in the area.

Davidson has directed three shows at TCC and directs as often as he can for local theater companies.

His next show will be A Christmas Carol for the NE Campus.

He has worked in Los Angeles, New York and London and received his master’s degree at New York University.

“This show is very tight and together,” he said.

The cast has been using a technique by Sanford Meisner that focuses on the ensemble and interaction among the actors.

Davidson says it makes the characters more natural.

“The show is a comedy, but it deals very accurately with crucial issues such as old versus young, idealism versus experience and other things that college age people can relate to,” he said.

Shannon Wright plays Laura, Bill’s love interest. He meets her when he is feeling down and out, and she gives him courage.

“She really makes him grow up,” she said.

In her first show at TCC, Wright says that it has been fun and that even though she is playing a romantic role, it’s not nerve wracking, and the chemistry feels good.

Additional characters are Evan, a fellow crusader who only wants food (Christopher Reaves), and Mame’s Guardian Angel (Bethany Bundock).

Crew includes Emily Hardy, stage manager; Laura Hemadi, assistant director; Taylor Bradford, props and lights; and Paula Walker, costumes and lights.