Belle Fourche Area Community Theater’s production of Is He Dead? entertained three audiences over the weekend. The show was a farcical escape to the art world of the 1800’s, featuring a strong cast of characters, a set that supported the feel of the times, and remarkable costumes.
The first act of the show had the audience chuckling at the clever dialogue and varied accents of its unusual characters. An initial wry tone of gloomy poverty surrounded the desperate artist Millet, portrayed skillfully by Tyler Schone, whose subtle irony was made even more humorous by the exaggerated loyalty of the artist’s friends (Wes Barnhouse, Ben Jewett, and Arianna Scherer) and the self-conscious morality of his lover’s needy family played by Toi Flick, Kelsey Gronlund, and Heather Pittman. Bathing in the dim light of the artist were his landladies, Bathilde and Caron (Allie Juso Verry and Crystal Woods), and relishing in his plight were all of the art snobs and press of Paris.
After an intermission with fabulous BFACT snacks, the audience noticed a distinct contrast as the raucous, openly irreverent second act unraveled all the silly pretentiousness of its characters. Mistaken and unexpected affections were revealed as the characters haphazardly fell in love with all the wrong people and their money. In the role of the villain Bastian Andre, Michael Meemken expertly displayed a hilarious mix of nastiness and gullibility, while Schone elevated his female disguise so that even the elderly father, Flick, fell to one knee in the funniest proposal scene the Belle Fourche stage has witnessed. The quirky ensemble was pushed to hilarity as the second act’s shocking revelations enlightened, relieved, and baffled (at least the French policeman played by Carston Sechser). The surprising and physically hilarious final scene landed the production with a satisfying ending – a clever conclusion that brought the show to a close in laughter.
September 29: Writer applications/submissions for the BFACT Center of the Nation Playwriting Festival (see bellefourcheact.org for more information)
October 17 & 18, 7 PM: Center of the Nation Playwriting Festival performances
BELLE FOURCHE SCHOOL DISTRICT upcoming fine arts events: September 15 – 19: Homecoming week featuring the BFHS & BFMS Marching Bands! Coronation Monday, 9/15 at 7:30 PM & Parade on Friday, 9/19 at 2:30 PM & Football game 6:00 PM.
Maybe YOU know what SHOW is UP next? Share your fine arts tidbits and upcoming events at [email protected]. I especially love the juicy backstage dish and green room gossip! Mark your calendars, friends, so you don’t forget to Show Up!
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