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Unwrapped: 'The Mummy's Claw'
By Sally Boswell
Published October 24, 2009
In the tradition of the not-all-that-Grand Guignol, this Halloween weekend the North Lamar High School Theater Arts Department lifts the lid on two nights — and one afternoon — of terrifying comedy when the curtain goes up on “The Mummy’s Claw,” written by Mark Chandler.
“Last spring, we rehearsed and performed ‘The Grapes of Wrath’ for five months,” said Mark Russell, theater arts teacher and co-director of the show. “It was worth it, because we took second place at state, but we were all ready for a show where we could be silly and have the audience laughing.”
A lot of serious effort, however, goes into turning out something so silly. The students and staff of the NLHS Theater arts department have devoted hundreds of hours since the beginning of the school year preparing for the show.
Aside from memorizing lines and refining a variety of accents, students must rehearse their comic timing and zombie walks, hone their terrifyingly-funny characters and show up — not just during class — but for evening rehearsals as well. The students have also worked at set construction, lights and sound, props, costumes and makeup, publicity and many other tasks to get “The Mummy’s Claw” ready for its resurrection.
“The Mummy’s Claw” takes the audience on a howlingly funny gallop through Egyptian temples, fiendish curses, ancient incantations and hideous plots. In the Nile Valley, circa 1903, a party at the home of archeologist Sir Nevil Blore becomes a struggle for survival when the translation of some ancient stone tablet conjures up an ancient evil. What was the sin of Khopsis, turned to stone and waiting to be reborn when the Blores’ niece, Lucy, is sacrificed on his altar? Can the magical powers of the 2,000-year-old high priest be thwarted? Can Lucy’s beloved, Brick, save her? Can the hapless partygoers locate the Pharoah’s jewels and when they do, will they really — really — wish they hadn’t?
Show times are 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 29; 9 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 31; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1.
“We’re asking the audience to wear their own Halloween costumes since it’s Halloween weekend,” said theater arts teacher Laura Hutchings, co-director. “And at the late show on Saturday night, we’re holding a costume contest and giving away prizes. I’m excited that the audience has a chance to participate and have a good time.”
Other special presentations during the performances include Bailey Intermediate student Brock Garrison singing “Thriller;” an appearance by David Fielding as Zordon of “The Power Rangers,” and a bevy of Egyptian dancing girls, including Corrie Johnson, Jessica Duren, Korenn Pendleton, Caitlyn Barnhill and Bailee Sims, with choreography by Jessica Felty.
The cast includes Dakota Caraway as Sir Nevil, Katherine Annett as Lady Eliza, Keely Wilson as Cathryn, Emma Harrington as Mimi, Shelby Gilliam as Poppy, Kelsey Bolyard as Fern, Tasia Easlon as Lucy, Sydney Winkler as Idris, Grace Myrick as Rula, Spencer Sansom as Brick and Ryley Inman as Alvin. Blake Miles and Lucas Robertson portray Azuris.
Crew members include Kevin Calhoun, Matt Winkler, Cody Eilrich and Bryan Roberts. Set construction is by Gerald Hutchings.
Tickets for “The Mummy’s Claw” are $5 for all ages, and are available at the door.
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