Pottsgrove High School will present the heart-warming classic “Flowers for Algernon” on Friday and Saturday, March 19 and 20 at 7:30 PM in the high school auditorium.
 
  Many should be familiar with the popular Daniel Keyes novel that has been a staple in high school and middle school English classes for years.  The funny and tragic novel has been turned into a movie twice; the original motion picture earned Cliff Robertson an Oscar for his performance.  Currently, actor Will Smith is planning to produce a third version with himself cast as the protagonist.

  The story focuses on an enthusiastic mentally-challenged young man, Charlie Gordon, who undergoes experimental brain surgery to exponentially increase his IQ.  Under the guidance of Dr. Strauss (Kayla Speedy) and Prof. Nemur (Tyler Noll), Charlie’s intelligence rapidly rises to the level of a genius.  During the process, Charlie bonds with Algernon, the laboratory mouse which first underwent the procedure, and realizes his love for his former teacher, Alice Kinnian (Maura Hannum).
 
  Undergoing such a rapid and unusual change unfortunately alienates Charlie from his coworkers, and when Algernon regresses, Charlie recognizes that very likely the same will happen to him.  With time against him, Charlie frantically seeks to reconcile with his long-absent parents (Ashlyn Neiffer and Matt Zarley) before it’s too late.

  Tackling the demanding role of Charlie is senior Taylor Bush.  Portraying Charlie in a sensitive yet authentic way is one challenge Bush faces.  Bush commented: "The hardest part about playing Charlie Gordon is mastering the wide range of complex emotions that come with the role. Almost every time Charlie comes on stage there's a new emotion that comes with him-- in one scene he may be happy-go-lucky and the next he's romantic or an arrogant genius.” And, of course, memorizing all those lines is daunting!

  Director Todd Kelly has made some small adaptations to update the story to 2010.   Kelly said: “While we’ve modernized the technology and setting (the “teaching machine” is now a computer), we left the majority of the script untouched.  The play’s message that intelligence is only one measure of a person and its belief in the value of human spirit are timeless.” Two of the classic psychology tests, the maze and the Rorschach (inkblot) test, are still very much a part of the play; in fact, both are key elements that Kelly incorporated into the set design.

Also appearing in the production are Mary Burckhardt, Jeremy Downey, Paris Footman, Ian Hendricks, Samantha Keer, Kaitlyn Kennedy, Jen Korb, Sydney Krisiewicz, Vicki Lambert, Nicole Messina, Vinny Pellechio, Sam Pettine, Jamal Reddick, Jordan Shoemaker, and Tim Wehr.  Ashleigh Kleinschmidt serves as student director for the production.

  Assisting Kelly are the following faculty members: Kim Sheeler (assistant director), Dave Moyer (stage crew), Cindy Scherer and Gwyn Thomas (art direction), Elizabeth Rodenbaugh and Cindy Wozniak (costumes).

The show is suitable for all audiences.  Tickets are $4 for students and senior citizens and $5 for general admission.  Tickets may be purchased from cast members or at the door.  For additional information call 610-326-5105.


 

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  ( updated: 08 Mar '10 )