Mentor Theatre goes small with ‘Chapter Two’

Director John Greene and Mentor Theatre are perhaps not best known for doing things small.

Whether it be recent productions of “Mary Poppins,” “Titanic,” or “Phantom of the Opera” in the past several years, or just the size and scope of their season which lately has included more than the traditional two high school shows per season, Mentor Theatre is usually known for doing things “big.”

Heck, even their Fine Arts Center is huge!

In recent years, however, Greene has been working at diversifying his season so that the young thespians at Mentor can be exposed to all kinds of theater.

Recent productions of “Love Letters” and last year’s studentalumni joint production of “Side By Side By Sondheim” have all take place either in the traditional A-Lecture “Little Theatre” or in a modified setting with the audience seated right on the Fine Arts Center stage.

That latter set-up is the way things are going with Mentor Theatre’s latest “black box” production, Neil Simon’s “Chapter Two.”

Performances of this four-person show are Feb.

6, 7 and 8 at 7 p.m. at the Mentor Schools Fine Arts Center. All tickets are $10 and are general admission. Call 440-974-5300 for more information.

Seating for this production is right on the Fine Arts Center stage, divided in half almost like the British Parliament. In the middle of these two grandstands of audience seating are two apartment-style sets that allow the four-person cast to move between the different locations.

It is an intriguing set-up that gives the actors a different kind of challenge.

“‘Chapter Two’ is a very dynamic performance that constantly leaves the audience on their toes,” cast member Cordelia Klammer tells me. “While the performance has very humorous portions, it also has very deep and sad moments. The cast is very small, four members, which allows for such a close friendship that has developed.”

Cordelia is a freshman but has experience at Memorial Middle School and from Wildwood

Theatre Camp to prepare her for her first high school role. She has learned a lot.

“Being the youngest in the cast terrified me during the beginning,” Cordelia admits. “But the cast worked well together and gave me one of the best welcomes into high school theater I could imagine.

“I personally enjoyed moments with the cast where we all bonded,” she added. “Whether we were rehearsing in the hallway or in our makeshift set, located in Mr. Greene’s room, we always found ways to laugh. The friendship that has developed amidst the cast has really helped our performance.

“Emma and I are able to project our friendship onto (our characters) Faye and Jennie, and the same for Charlie and Leo. Once the costumes were added, the show began to fall into place and I can’t wait to bring this show to a real audience.”

Emma is Emma Mathis, a second member of this small cast who plays Jenny’s best friend, Faye.

“While playing Faye I got more acquainted with the cast and we have all become closer from this experience,” Emma said. “Playing Faye forced me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to feel more confident in myself.

“The people I am surrounded by are all such talented people and it’s been a pleasure to spend my time with them,” she added. “These last few weeks have been the best times spent. Even just chatting or joking around with the cast has created a mental scrapbook with memories I will never forget. I cannot wait to present this wonderful show to a live audience!”

Catch “Chapter Two” this weekend — literally — on the Mentor Fine Arts Center stage.

Curtain 440

Curtain 440 successfully opened “Seussical, Jr.” last weekend, and continues again this weekend.

Performances run through Feb. 9 on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. at Berkshire High School, 14510 North Cheshire St. in Burton. Use the entrance and parking lot to the left of the school.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors, and can be purchased at the door or online at www.curtain440.com/Tickets.

Angela Miloro-Hansen, owner of Curtain 440, directs “Seussical Jr.” with help from assistant director Janna Klein, musical director Logan Katoch, and choreographer Erica Lohan

“Seussical, Jr.” is the first main stage production of 2020 for Curtain 440 and features a cast of ages 8-18 in the musical tale of Horton the elephant. When Horton hears a Who, he tries to save their tiny universe living on a clover.

“Seussical Jr.” features many favorite characters such as The Cat in the Hat, Thing 1 and Thing 2, and Gertrude McFuzz, the bird with a one feather tail. It is a frequently performed favorite nationwide and certainly in this area in the last 10 years.

Oh, the places you’ll go in this one. Catch them in a box or with a fox!

Young Thespians is a column that focuses on youth in theater. Do you have a production you wish to see featured? Email stevecouch@windstream.net, follow me @StevenRCouch on Twitter or join our “Young Thespians” Facebook group and post your show information.