For photos from Friday's showing, click here.
Last weekend, the Greenville Middle School drama club put on a fantastic show for members of the community called “One Stoplight Town,” a play based on, you guessed it, a town with one stoplight.
Taking place between 1998 and 2020, the setting was a busy street corner in small town much like Greenville, and perhaps that’s what made the play so relatable. Centered around the town handyman, Trish, who pops on and off stage to grace her fellow townspeople with life lessons disguised as stoplight metaphors - Claire Schelling did an incredible job portraying such a fun loving, wise character.
However, the true gem of the show was Brody Shaver’s character Melvin, a lifelong stoplight town resident who sat with his wife Clara, played by Maggie Stern, and watched the “hustle and bustle” of the town throughout the show. The audience erupted in laughter numerous times over their quick, witty banter. Additionally, watching the 7th grader portray an old man with hysterically exaggerated facial expressions and body language left the audience gasping for air.
The play followed the lives of many town residents through the years. One of those residents was Bob, a cranky old grocer who took more issue with a stoplight being installed in his town than Melvin and Clara lounging outside his shop every day. Played by Olivia Matott, this character reminded the audience of that one old man that every person has in their lives. Oliva did an amazing job playing a character so far-fetched from her everyday personality, it was a treat to watch her transform so easily into character.
The set was beautifully designed, with props that looked like they belonged to a professional theater. These props were most certainly reminiscent of Greenville, with “Polly’s Shiny Diner” (like Tiny Diner), PNQ Lumber (like GNH Lumber), Loretta’s Pharmacy (like Kelly’s), and a poorly timed stoplight for anyone in a rush, like the one across from the Greenville Park.
There was something in this play relatable to every member of the audience. It was the high school sweethearts, Sally and Jim, played by Emma Diehl and Lucas Bender, who return to the stoplight to remind us that some things simply never change.
It was the runaway kid, played by Clare Ingalls, who just needed to be reminded that leaving a place means you have something to run toward, not from. And it was the prodigal daughter, played by Chloe Uht, who after living a life in the big city returns to remind a younger version of herself that sometimes it’s nice to come back to the One Stoplight Town to slow things down.
It was the owner of a new restaurant, Flash, played by Amelia Stewart, who reminded us that we can still love something we’ve always had, while opening our hearts to something new.
It was Casey, played by Rowan Story, the young lady who feared crossing the street but was eventually was able to face her fears and succeed with a little encouragement from her fellow townspeople.
It was Emma, Sally and Jim’s daughter played by Alannah MacDonald Katz, who was ready to get out of town and head off to college.
It was the police officer, Hannah Cummings, who simply wanted to keep the peace.
It was Polly, played by Alana Cronce, who was the beloved owner of Polly’s Shiny Diner, a reliable small town place to eat, with the best burgers around.
It was the Green Bean Queen, played by Aurora Hostash, who was ready to serve in her new leadership role, and it was the drum major, played by Aidan Robertson, who was wise beyond his years in reminding the Queen that “when you’re given a leadership role, you should do a little good in the world.”
This play was a fun, lighthearted reminder of all the things that makes Greenville special, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Congratulations to all the members of the drama club, on stage and behind the scenes, for putting on such a wonderful production.
Cast List
Trish, Claire Schelling
Bob, Olivia Matott
Jim, Lucas Bender
Sally, Emma Diehl
Clara, Maggie Stern
Melvin, Brody Shaver
Casey, Rowan Story
Kids/Teens, Harmony Case, Willow Case, Victoria Coons, Neala Houlihan, and Lyla Uht
Young Emma/Emma, Alannah MacDonald Katz
Runaway, Clare Ingalls
Prodigal Daughter, Chloe Uht
Officer, Hannah Cummings
Polly, Alana Cronce
Flash, Amelia Stewart
Green Bean Queen, Aurora Hostash
Drum Major, Aidan Robertson
Protestors and Towns People, Xairia Byrne, Kaylee DeAngelis, Abigail Edwards, Ginny Hall, Jasmyn Hunter, Anthony Juzapavicus, Kiersten McElwey, Jazlyn Montesarchio, Preston Orlando, Aaron Ross, Katie Wagner
Production Staff
Producing Director, Jessica Coons
Assistant Stage Director, Tara McCormick Hostash
Stage Manager, Kathy Ferrer and Hudson Turon
Student Stage Manager, Amara Thompson
Techincal Director, Kristine Raskopf
Assistant Technical Director, Delia Ernst
Set/Secretary, Jonathon Kerner, Brady Rogers, Alexis Langlois, Amara Thompson, Aurora Anderson, At Sterner, Ava Landversicht, Emma Ford, Ellie Vincent, Emily Heichel, Emma Ford, Ethan English, Isabella Quintana, JoHanna Cullen, Julia Herbek, Laila Overbaugh, LoLa Fraim, Madison Wisenburn
Program, Jessica Coons
Props, Lyla Blenis
Light Board Operator, Chris Hubicki
Stoplight Operator, Alana Healy
Ticket Design, Casey Gannon
Ticket Sales, Sara Statham, Jaden Burke, Victoria Maile
Hair and Makeup, Olivia Ross, Cecilia Bucci, Kendylann Richie, Peyton Calvo, Scarlett Coons
Stage Crew, Laila Overbaugh, Grace Langlois, Harmony Spaulding, Hunter Connroy, Jameson Dolan, Kayden Hense, Norysa Hochteil, Rylan Stanley, Sadie Bender, Spenser Lampman, Zachary Osborne
Video, MS/HS Media Club
Cast Party, Parents of the Cast
One Stoplight Town, by Tracy Wells. Produced by Special Arrangement with the Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois.