Cast and crew for the Holyoke High School production of “The Best Man” are pictured from left, front row, Ashlyn Marcum, Mackenzie Golden, LorenJo Oberle, Dominique Penzing and Dylan Miles; and back row, Robert Soukup, Tyler Lamm, Tayler Hale, Remington Hielscher, Andrew Rivera, Emali Torres, Brenna Gatton, Luke Krogmeier, Sloane Bishop, Chase Beckner and Shianne Willmon. — Johnson Publications
See a winning production of ‘The Best Man’ March 23-24
The Dragon Theatre Company presents Gore Vidal’s “The Best Man.” Performances are Friday and Saturday, March 23-24, in the Holyoke High School auditorium at 7:30 p.m. both nights. Rehearsals began on Jan. 23 with a cast of 13 HHS students.
“The Best Man” was first produced on Broadway in March of 1960 where it won the Tony Award for Best Play. It has been revived numerous times over the years including in 2001 and in 2012 where both shows received Tony Awards for Best Revival of a Play.
Bret Miles, directing his fourth show for the company, considered this play last year. “During the rehearsals for ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ I noticed how engaged our students were in the presidential election. I considered the show last year but found a different match for the cast available. I was excited to see it as a match for the company this year, and certainly our students are aware of the parallels in this story with today’s politics. They will bring those tensions to life, and I am sure our audience will enjoy this timeless story,” said Miles.
The story takes place over the three days of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia where former Secretary of State William Russell, played by senior Luke Krogmeier, and Senator Joseph Cantwell, played by senior Tyler Lamm, are vying for the their party’s nomination for president. Russell is an intellectual who believes a campaign can be run honestly focused on the candidates’ positions on issues. Cantwell values shrewd political moves where ends justify means.
Both candidates are hoping for the support of former president Hockstader, played by junior Dylan Miles. Both candidates are supported by their wives. Mrs. Russell, played by Dominique Penzing, is surprisingly supportive while reluctant to be in the spotlight. Mrs. Cantwell, played by Ashlyn Marcum, is as ambitious as her husband and ready to contribute to the campaign.
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