Simon says even stupid folks can win, as shown in Fools
by Brian Shults, se news editor

    Even stupid people can love, and even stupid people can figure out how to overcome their stupidity. Such is the premise of Neil Simon’s play Fools, SE Campus’s first spring semester production of 2002.

   The comedy opens Wednesday, Feb. 20, at 8 p.m. in the Roberson Theatre.

   Other performances will be Thursday-Friday, Feb. 21-22, at 8 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 23, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

   “Leon Tolchinsky is hired to be a teacher in a small Russian town. He begins running across the townspeople, and he comes to realize that everyone is stupid,” John Davis, who plays Leon, said.

   To illustrate the extent of the townspeople’s stupidity, Eddie Zertuche explained his character Snetsky.

   “The reason Snetsky is so stupid is because I get kicked in the head by a horse five or six times a week. The only thing I excel at is tending to my sheep, but even then, I always lose them. I am on a constant journey to find them,” he said.

   Shortly after entering the town, Leon discovers a 200-year-old curse that makes everyone dim-witted.

   The curse was placed generations ago when the Zubritsky family refused to allow a member of the Yousevitch to marry, Davis said.

   The conflict arises for Leon when he falls in love with Sophia (Zubritsky) and cannot leave because he loves her. He also must compete for her love with Gregor Yousevitch, Davis said.

   “Leon has to teach young Sophia to think, and if he does not within 24 hours, he will become stupid himself,” he said.

   Leon’s task is a daunting one, A.J. Adams, who plays Sophia, explained.

   “Sophia’s greatest aspiration in life is sitting in chairs, standing and learning how to function like a normal human being. She never really dreams about doing anything. Then Leon comes into her life. He opens her eyes to new possibilities,” she said.

   Davis explained Leon’s motivation.

   “Leon does not think anyone in the town is simple, but only cursed. He is destined to enlighten these fools,” he said.

   To enlighten the townspeople, Leon poses the eternal question to them: What is the purpose of man’s existence? Anthony Lewis, who plays Dr. Zubritsky, said.

   “The doctor is very analytical. He thinks he knows what he is talking about, but he soon discovers that he does not. Leon wants to marry Zubritsky’s daughter. But to do that, he has to undo the curse,” he said.

   In his humorous attempt to secure his marriage with Sophia and prevent Gregor from marrying her, Leon finds that love can be a curse as well, Davis said.

   Love can also conquer stupidity, and sharing love can help people reject the judgment of others when examining themselves, Tamara Fuller-Powers, stage manager, said.

   Other performers are Sarah Hemadi as Lenya, Genevieve Croft as Yenchna, Jackie Townley as the magistrate, Lee Ann Brown as Slovitch, Jason Hernandez as Mishkin and David Vieira as Gregor.

   The townspeople performers are Yolanda Smith, Sarah Dobbs, Kara Wihelm and Melissa Roden.

   John Wayne Shafer directs, and Michael Garner serves as technical director for Fools.

   Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for students, other than TCC, and senior citizens. All TCC students, faculty and staff will be admitted free.

   For box office information, call 817-515-3599, beginning Monday, Feb. 18. Fools is rated “G” for general audiences.