The Wood River High School Performing Arts Academy will present Random Acts of Theatre's "Barrymore's Ghost" at the Community Campus in Hailey at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13, and Saturday, Nov. 14. Tickets are $5 adults and $3 students, available at the door.
"The play was brought to me by the founder of Random Acts of Theatre, Tony Mannen, who is a professor at College of Southern Idaho," said Karl Nordstrom, Performing Arts Academy director. "I thought it would be best to do it during the week of Veterans Day."
The cast includes Iraqi war veteran Jud Harmon, who served 11 months as a soldier in northern Iraq. As part of his demobilization he went to College of Southern Idaho and participated in the theater.
Harmon and Mannen wanted to help out Twin Falls-based Christian organization Mission Vietnam. All proceeds from the show will go to the organization, which was founded in 1999 and has given over 1,200 bicycles to bible school students in Vietnam.
"The kids will gain technical experience for this production, running the light board, being runners and ushers as well as working on set," Nordstrom said. "They will be in charge of pre-setting the stage with tables and chairs as well as sound and lights."
"Barrymore's Ghost" was written by Jason Miller, who also wrote the Pulitzer Prize-winning play "That Championship Season." His acting credits include the movie "The Exorcist," in which he played the priest.
"One of my goals at the beginning of the year was to have the Performing Arts Academy do something for the community," Nordstrom said. "The play is based on [John] Barrymore's life, and he comes back as a ghost to talk about his life in the theater."
Barrymore starred in silent films before the "talkies" took over in 1930. His illustrious career lasted over 25 years with more than 60 films to his credit. He is known for his role as Hamlet, which he played in a record-setting 101 performances of Shakespeare's play. "Barrymore's Ghost" touches upon the actor's alcoholism, many marriages and his family's acting and theater tradition. Movie producer, actress and director Drew Barrymore is his granddaughter.
Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com
