According to director Eva Stockhamer, "Check Please" is a look into the world of blind dating and "the struggles of finding 'the one.'" It will be presented on May 17 and 18 in Rutenber Auditorium at Commonwealth Academy in Springfield.
Eva Stockhamer, left, a drama teacher at Holyoke Catholic High School, works with Tyrese Downie and Hannah Fragakis during a drama program being taught as part of the summer camp at the Chicopee Boys and Girls Club. Stockhamer is directing Holyoke Catholic's production of "Check Please," which will be presented May 17 and 18. By DAN COOPER
CHICOPEE - This spring, the Holyoke Catholic High School Performing Arts Club will be exploring the wacky world of blind dating in Jonathan Rand's "Check Please."
The performances will be May 17 and 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the Rutenber Auditorium at Commonwealth Academy, 1 Ames Hill Road, Springfield.
While previous performances have been at the Elms College auditorium, performing arts director Eva Stockhamer said she had to change the location due to construction on the college campus.
"The property we're on now is the former MacDuffie School. It's a lovely space that seats 260 people. It's also an actual theater, so I think people will be pleased with it," Stockhamer said.
According to Stockhamer, the play "Check Please" is a look into the world of blind dating.
"What Rand shows us is the struggles of finding 'the one,'" Stockhamer explained.
"Through a series of interesting dates we sympathize with those in the dating world."
Stockhamer said this is a play she's done before. "For each date the actors are on stage, they are the lead," she explained. "It gives the students a great one-on-one interaction with the other actor."
The play is a funny and timeless story, she added. "It's a play people can relate to," she continued. "Everyone's had date."
"We watch couples from the date with 'the guy in the burlap bag' to the 'Miss Corn 2012,'" Stockhamer explained. "Many of the scenes are hilarious and others even funnier."
Stockhamer said that with shows with more dialogue, such as this one, the actors have to drive the point home more because there is no musical number involved.
Stockhamer said there are just two people on stage. "They have to behave like they've never met," she explained. "One tries to keep their composure."
Stockhamer said that because she is short boys, they had to re-invent themselves for the production.
Stockhamer said this is her first production in the club's new space. "It's a little challenging but also exciting," she said.
Tickets for the performance are $12 for adults and $10 for seniors and students. Tickets may be purchased at the door or in advance by calling (413) 737-4942.