Silver Belles opens this Friday, Saturday for fall play

Humor. Sadness. Young love. Cranky old ladies. These are just a few of the things people can expect to see in Silver Belles. This Friday, Nov. 14 and Saturday, Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m., student actors will take the stage in this heartfelt comedy about a continuing care facility where the young and the old teach each other about life and love.

The play is a comedy that follows Kate (Elle Smith), owner of the senior care facility Silver Meadows; Nick (Carter Hand), the eager heir to his father’s real estate company; and the residents and nurses of Silver Meadows who help to guide their journey. Directed by English teachers Michelle Rathe and Molly Magill, It’s a feel good play for people of all ages that will run about an hour and a half, with a 15 minute intermission between acts. 

Magill said that the show is about “applying the wisdom of age to the decisions that we make when we’re young,” and “looking back on our lives without regret.”

The actors and directors in this show have been hard at work since early September. From long rehearsals working to perfect technique and blocking to a disastrously large prop that made techies sweat, the cast and crew of Silver Belles have faced many challenges, but they’ve also learned a lot. 

In October, the cast worked with Gary Baumgartner, an experienced actor and director from the Cedar Valley. He helped them to shape their characters and build emotion and feeling in their acting, attending many rehearsals to work with the young actors. 

Senior Daniel Slaughter said, “I love the community it brings,” he said. “Actors are unique and outgoing, which makes making friends a lot easier, and everyone brings something special to the table.” 

In the show Slaughter plays Steve, a goofy nurse at Silver Meadows and good friend to Kate. In real life, Slaughter also enjoys his comedy. He said that people should come see the show for its humor and warm tone, and also said that the plot is “engaging and easy to follow along with,” so kids of all ages can come and enjoy.

Tickets are $6, and activity passes are accepted. 

The fall play is not the only opportunity for students to get involved in drama, though. 

This week auditions are happening for the spring musical, Les Miserables, Monday through Wednesday. The link to sign up is in Schoology.