Paul VI Catholic High School's drama department has high hopes for a Cappie award-winning play this year with its production of the hilarious comedy, "Charley's Aunt." The Cappies is an award program that is similar to the Tony Awards, except it is given solely to high school plays and actors. This year's performance of "Charley's Aunt" will be Paul VI's entry into the Cappies program.
Paul VI has put together a large cast that includes seniors Steve McGonigle as Stephen Spettigue, Chris Stinson as Charley Wykeham, Anthony Arnista as Lord Fancourt Babberly, Shauna Mojaddidi as Donna Lucia D'Alvadorez (a.k.a. Charley's Aunt), Michael Carvajal as Col. Sir Francis Chesney and Michelle Rother as Ela Delahay. In addition, the cast is comprised of juniors C.J. Bergin as Jack Chesney and Hannah Hudson as Kitty Verdun, as well as sophomores Tracy Ramsay as Amy Spettigue, and Drake Johnson as Brassett.
"Charley's Aunt" is a British comedy from the 19th century. According to junior Karen Kelleher, the new student director, "the play is about two lovesick gentlemen that live in a time period where being proper is the No. 1 priority. These gentlemen do the most improper thing they can think of when they get their college roommate, Lord Fancourt Babberly to dress up as Charley's infamous Aunt from Brazil — where the nuts come from."
The lovesick gentlemen are played by Charley Wykeham (Chris Stinson) and Jack Chesney (C.J. Bergin). To make matters worse for the pair, suitors come for Donna Lucia D'Alvadorez (Shauna Mojaddidi) while Lord Fancourt Babberly (Anthony Arnista) is impersonating her. The situation becomes even more complicated when Donna Lucia D'Alvadorez herself shows up with Lord Fancourt Babberly's love.
As it is for all plays, this one began with auditions. The auditions were held Sept. 12 and 13.
One show will be performed by all of the understudies on Nov. 19 at 2 p.m.
When asked why she chose this play, Katherine Miller, the drama teacher at Paul VI, said, "I have seen 'Charley's Aunt' done several times and it is always very funny — our audience here at Paul VI loves comedies."
"Charley's Aunt" will be performed in the Paul VI auditorium on Friday, Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 19 at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, Nov. 20 at 2 p.m. The understudy performance will be Saturday, Nov. 19 at 2 p.m.