Red Mask will be putting on their spring show at Kathryn Randolph Theater starting this coming Friday, “The Graduate.” The PLAY The Graduate, takes place in 1964, a few years before the well known movie came out. Director Debbie Prentice and two of the stars joined us over the weekend on 1490 WDAN’s News Makers program. Prentice stated that The Graduate was seen as a good choice for right now.
AUDIO: This was an iconic movie. Most people know The Graduate. And getting back into presenting plays after the pandemic, we wanted some plays that people know, to try to get people to come. And The Graduate is one of those good shows that, I believe, is going to draw people in.
Jamey Coutant, who directed last fall’s “Playing with Fire: After Frankenstein”show, and then had a roll in Red Mask’s last play, “The Trouble with Cats,” finds herself in this one as Benjamin’s mom.
AUDIO: Well I’ve been involved in Red Mask for years since Children’s Theater. Community theater is my family and my home, and so I’d like to be involved when I could. Debbie needed some extra women, and I just happened to show up. And it’s a fun part.
Also joining us on the air was Brook Kuchefski, who plays Elaine, the daughter of Mrs. Robinson. Kuchefski says she’s always known about “The Graduate,” but now she’s enjoying bringing one of the characters to life.
AUDIO: It’s definitely a film I’ve been familiar with. As for the role, I guess I haven’t ever really given it much thought, but I always found it kind of intriguing. Eliane is sort of a subdued individual. And I feel like it’s a lot of fun trying to bring that character to life. Because while she seems rather subdued compared to her mother, she has a lot of her own strong character traits.
Other stars in the show are Zach Dittmar as Benjamin, Lisa Gilmour Strain as Mrs. Robinson, and Tim Kirby as Mr. Robinson.
The show opens Friday April 1st at 7:30, with other shows Saturday night April 2nd, Sunday at 2 PM April 3rd; and then a repeat of that schedule the weekend of April 8th through 10th. You can call ahead for tickets at 217-442-5858.
To hear the entire interview from 1490 WDAN’s News Makers previewing “The Graduate,” go to https://vermilioncountyfirst.com/newsmakers/
