Images on the drama club Instagram page (@glsddramaclub) of a heart, a laughing emoji, a cursive letter “D’’ and a slice of cake lead people astray to guesses like Alice In Wonderland, Descendants, Wizard of Ozz, Alvin and the Chipmunks, and Gnomeo and Juliet. Director Alison Duda created suspense by dropping hints as to what the fall play would be for the 2023-2024 school year would be. Some guesses were genuine predictions whereas some were just jokes. On Friday, August 25 2023 during the Latrobe vs. Derry football game, an announcement was sent out, the fall play reveal was posted on Instagram. The entire drama club and other interested community members refreshed their phones to finally put an end to the building suspense of waiting to hear the big announcement. The fall play is going to be Father Of The Bride. The almost unanimous first thought was, “What’s that?”
Father Of The Bride
The entirety of the play spans a six-month period set in the mid-50s. Character Mr. Banks is discovering and accepting the fact that his daughter Annie while studying abroad has fallen in love and has gotten engaged. George wants Annie to stay with him and is scared she is going to leave him and his wife Mrs. Banks for her new fiance.
As overprotective Mr. Banks goes through the steps of planning a wedding and accepting that his daughter is growing up, he takes Annie, the rest of the family, and the audience on a humorous and thrilling wild ride.
“After a successful show last year, Little Women, how do you think people will react to Father of the Bride seeing as it’s not as widely known?”
“I think because it is a different genre, as it’s more of a ‘dramatic comedy’, that people will be more interested to see our school do something new! It’s also a completely different time period so it may appeal to some different audiences.” – Maddie Duda, Senior
“What are you most excited to experience with your fellow cast members during rehearsals and showtimes?”
“ I really love getting to learn from my friends and fellow cast mates from the way they act. Everybody is different and they all have unique characteristics I can learn from. I’m excited to take on more of a leadership role as I get older and help the drama club as much as possible!” – Jack Dixon, Junior
“What do you think is the most challenging part of putting on a play with a much larger cast than in following years? Will it affect anything with the chemistry, dynamics, or friendships within the entire cast?
“I think the most challenging part will be learning to create chemistry with people who maybe you just met. Of course, everyone who was cast is absolutely amazing but sometimes it can definitely be difficult to build believable chemistry from the audience’s point of view with someone you are just getting to know. I think that it will allow the entire cast to make many new friendships and make us an even tighter club.” – Isabel Keslar, Junior
“As a freshman do you feel more comfortable having upperclassmen who have been in the past productions to look up to?”
“Having upperclassmen who have been in past productions to look up to is great, I’ve been in multiple shows before but I’m new to high school so as a freshman having those upperclassmen there to help is great.” – Ben Ammet, Freshman
It is no secret that these students are very excited and energetic to get working and have a good time while putting together an amazing show. A Lot of hard work from the actors, actresses, directors, and stage crew goes into putting the fall play together. The Greater Latrobe Drama Club in their performance of Father Of The Bride will take place October 20th, 2023.
Cast List
Mr. Banks- Jack Dixon
Mrs. Banks- Izzy Keslar
Kay- Maddie Duda
Buckley- Henry Krom
Ben- Kyle Kemerer
Tommy- Jack Duda
Ms. Bellamy- Abby Wolfgang
Delilah- Lexi Lynch
Massoula- Lukas Deemer
Peggy- Margaret Krom
Buzz- Ben Ament
Joe- Leo Sun
Mrs. Pulitzki- Regina Zezza
Red- Heinrich van der Westhuizen
Pete- Nathan Shashura
Florists and Movers: Grace Jamieson, Nataly Smyntek, Dalton King, Evan Frescura,
Ben Fearer
