By KATE HARROW
Class of 2010

Step aside Tom Cruise because Leon Tolchinsky has the real mission impossible!

Tatnall’s Showcase 2010 production of Neil Simon’s “Fools” focuses on the small, cursed town of Kulyenchikov where, for the last two hundred years, everyone in the village has been condemned to eternal stupidity. When the confident young school teacher, Leon Tolchinsky (Tom Caswell), comes to town, he has his work cut out for him. Leon comes to Kulyenchikov in response to a newspaper advertisement placed by Dr. Zubritsky (Josh Morris-Levenson) and his wife Lenya (Kelsey Gondek) about the education of their daughter, Sofia (Kerry McCue). As part of the curse, Leon has only one day (“25 hours,” according to the villainous Count Gregor Yousekovitch, played by Phil Drexler) to educate Sofia before the schoolmaster’s IQ is reduced to that of a cabbage. Hilarity ensues when these characters interact with each other as well as with the rest of the cast: Snetskey (Chris Klemens), the shepherd who cannot find his sheep or remember his first name; Mishkin (Adam Broitman), the mailman who can never find the right house; the confused town magistrate (David Felt); Yenchna (Danielle Antony), the fishmonger who sells flowers; Slovitch (Amanda Patti), the butcher; and village idiots (Patrick Simmons and Molly Goldberg).

This talented cast is supported by the hard behind-the-scenes work of Carey Kaiser (stage manager), Kate Harrow (crew chief), Kristy Cho (props master), Nate Williams, Ashley Debnam, Sean Dowling, Peter Godshall, Jason Fischer, Sandra Demberger, Daniel del Busto, Zac Wisler, Katie Dear, Kati Kobasa, Ana Bowe, Marlee Caine and Carolina Reyes.

The Showcase Company, traditional cornerstone of Tatnall’s theater program, mounts the school’s major dramatic production at mid-year, and it is the only theatrical experience that carries academic credit as an upper-level elective (“Advanced Theater: Design and Production”). The director, during an open casting-call, selects the student company the preceding spring.  Each company member learns several theatrical skills and becomes engaged, for example, not only in acting but also in set design and construction, costumes, props, technical matters, and publicity. Students selected are expected to work some evenings and weekends in addition to the regular in-school commitment.

A skilled and experienced adult support staff also is a Showcase tradition. The talented “Costume Moms” (past and current Tatnall parents Fran Spivak, Donna Antony, Mimi Walsh and Marg Dunn) make everyone on stage look their best. The technical director, Rick Neidig, has been involved in showcase for 26 years, and lends his expertise to the stage crew, resulting in fabulous sets, sound and lighting.  Robin Laskey Chipman’s make-up and hair design has been seen in the last 27 Showcases. Julie Cooke, the assistant director, is making her Showcase debut this year. Last but not least is Dr. Bruce Chipman, Emeritus Head of English, who is celebrating his 38th Showcase as director.