JCHS chooses Simon's "The Good Doctor' for its spring drama production

The full cast demonstrates their individual characters during a rehearsal for the upcoming production of "The Good Doctor," this year's Jefferson City High School spring play. The play will consist of a series of eight individual five-minute scenes.
The full cast demonstrates their individual characters during a rehearsal for the upcoming production of "The Good Doctor," this year's Jefferson City High School spring play. The play will consist of a series of eight individual five-minute scenes.

What: "The Good Doctor," presented by Jefferson City High School Drama Department

When: Feb. 19-20 and 22. Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m.

Where: Miller Performing Arts Center, 501 Madison St.

Tickets: $5, available 45 minutes before shows at box office.

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Jefferson City High School drama department is presenting the Neil Simon comedy "The Good Doctor" as its spring production.

The Broadway hit is a composite of sketches from a writer who has writer's block and can't think of a subject. He tries different ideas and the result is eight sketches on different topics. In one sketch a man storms a bank and upbraids the manager for his gout and lack of money; a father takes his son to a house of questionable repute leaving the boy more confused then ever; a crafty seducer goes to work on a married woman only to realize the woman has been in command from the start.

The slapstick comedy paints affectionate portraits with infectious Simon humor.

The play is directed by Zachary McKinney, drama teacher at JCHS. This is his first year teaching at the school, previously teaching in Salisbury.

McKinney is directing 17 cast members: Austin Redding, Jordan Robinson, Tylee Ciolli, Emily Louraine, Parker Studebaker, Alyssa Adrian, Matthew Raymer, Salena Fessehaye, Kathryn Bates, Nate Luebbering, Adam Sullens, Delaney Brunk, Em Reisch, Trey Stumbaugh, Brianna Lock, Jensen Stevens and Larissa Lamb.

"For those looking at the show online there may be some question as to how much of a family-friendly show it is but I have done some editing to bring it in line," McKinney said.

With eight different scenes, the scenery was challenging. McKinney said that some scenes are very simple sets and others are more complicated.

McKinney, with the help of Gara Loskill and Greg Medlin, designed the lighting for the show and student technicians will be in charge of operating lights for the performances.

"We are using a sound track for any music in the scenes or between," McKinney said.

The eight scenes with intermission take about to hours to complete.

"I attended JCHS and always wanted to come back to teach. This has been a wonderful experience for me and fun to work with a new group of kids. This has been a lot of fun for those involved and I hope it will be fun for the audiences," McKinney said.