Tecumseh Senior, Sean Collins, has a passion for participating in Tecumseh High School theatrical productions and for serving his community as a Boy Scout. On May 5, 7, and 8, Collins will be combining these two interests in order to entertain audiences and support local charities.
Every year, Tecumseh Seniors who have participated in the theater program are encouraged to produce a “senior production.” A senior production challenges students to produce and direct a theatrical production that will be performed for the public at Tecumseh High School. Collins has chosen to take on this challenge by presenting the play “The 39 Steps,” a comic melodrama written by Patrick Barlow and adapted from Alfred Hitchcock’s classic film.
“The 39 Steps” follows the story of hero, Richard Hannay, a Canadian visitor to 1930’s London who becomes entangled in a murder mystery involving a spy ring. Hannay develops several romantic interests while he’s on the run, attempting to solve the murder to prove his innocence. Surprising casting choices and the play’s fast pace lend to the humor as the “serious” spy story is played for laughs. A number of allusions to several Alfred Hitchcock films, such as “Strangers on a Train,” “Rear Window,” “Psycho,” “Vertigo,” and “North by Northwest” just add to the comedy.
Cast members Rachel Shepherd, Abby Krakora, and Ryan Tilley all agree the play is “hysterical” and “full of surprises.” They also say being directed by their peer has been “a great experience.”
The production of “The 39 Steps” is not only meant to entertain audiences, it is also serving as a community event for Collins’ Boy Scout Eagle project. Collins is offering audience members an opportunity to join him in supporting the Bethel Churches United Food Pantry of New Carlisle by accepting non-perishable food items and/or cash donations in place of admission fees for a special Thursday night performance of “The 39 Steps” on May 5 at 7:00 pm.
For those who are not able to attend the play, Collins is providing food donation barrels at Security National Bank in New Carlisle, the New Carlisle Library, the Tecumseh High School teachers’ lounge, and the Bethel Community Church of the Nazarene from April 27 through May 4.
Collins’ goal is to collect at least 500 non-perishable food items for the food pantry. “I want people to have fun while helping others,” says Collins, “I think this play is the perfect opportunity to help make that happen.”
In addition to the special May 5 performance, “The 39 Steps” will also be performed on May 7 at 7:00pm and on May 8 at 3:00pm. An admission fee of $7.00 will be charged for the May 7 & 8 performances. Those monies will be used to benefit “Muse Machine,” a local non-profit organization that has been instrumental in helping Collins produce “The 39 Steps” and encourages students to become engaged in the Arts.
