York Town News
New adaptation of "The Lottery" to premier at YHS
By Jennifer L. Saunders
Gelsey Hubbard, as Tessie Hutchinson, and Jhames Steinsiek, as her husband Bill, share a moment of private conversation before the annual contest at Bill's company in a rehearsal for York High School's upcoming production of "The Lottery." In the background, their teenage daughter Sarah, played by Sassy Dale, awaits her first turn at the lottery.
Photo by Jennifer L. Saunders
YORK - Shirley Jackson's classic tale of the dark side of the human spirit, "The Lottery," is coming to life on the York High School stage with a decidedly modern twist.
Written by area resident Michael Crockett and directed by Lisa Stathoplos, this version of "The Lottery" brings what is arguably among the most disturbing stories in 20th-century American literature into the Information Age
Integrating technology, imagery, music and a modern substitute for the story's bucolic village setting - where residents have come to rely upon an ancient ritual for a good harvest - Crockett has taken this story, which is now in the public domain, and woven a one-act play that resonates with meaning, according to the students who have been hard at work after school bringing their characters to life.
"Every family comes to the lottery every year to make sure the company succeeds," explained senior Emma Power, who described her character, Mrs. Graves, as a "corporate wife."
Katie Horigan, a sophomore playing the part of Lizzie Warner, said her character provides the one "voice of truth" in the play.
"She is the only character that speaks out against the lottery," Katie said of the dark ritual that Warner, her character's father-in-law and the company's chief executive officer, oversees to guarantee the annual profits keeping rising.
Due to a last-minute casting change, the role of Warner is being played by York High School staff member Matt Gats, who said he is pleased to be working with his colleague, Stathoplos, and with a group of so many talented students in what he described as a brilliant adaptation by Crockett of "The Lottery."
"I had a chance to see some of the drafts," Gats said, adding, "I thought it would be a blast to do this play."
Like Gats, Stahoplos praised Crockett's script as a theatrical piece that is both powerful and provocative.
"Michael and I have brought the story up to the computer age and are using multimedia to pack a good punch at the end," she said.
The play, like the short story itself, remains an ensemble piece, with each character having an integral part.
Senior Rob Casilio portrays Joe Summers, the man in charge of the lottery. Unlike the short story, Casilio explained, this lottery does not rely on scraps of paper drawn from a box, but on a special computer program.
Candace Yorston plays Clara Delacroix, a corporate executive with an "it's all business" attitude, she said, while Sara Demos is her friend Alva Martinez, a woman focused on moving up in the business world.
"My character just wants to be at the top and, unfortunately, is falling into this every year," Sara said of the company's sinister tradition.
Senior Jhames Steinsiek plays Bill Hutchinson, an executive in the company who he describes as being "too comfortable" and unwilling to rock the company boat. Jhames, who has appeared in numerous plays on the York High School stage, said "The Lottery" has been his first chance to delve into serious dramatic acting.
Junior Gelsey Hubbard portrays his wife, Tessie Hutchinson, who arrives late to the lottery, angering her husband and raising questions from the company employees and their spouses.
"She is a weak character, trying to come into her own," Gelsey explained of her role as a woman who is beginning to realize there could be a better way for her family than the company's rules.
Freshman Sassy Dale, in her first York High School performance, plays their daughter, Sarah.
"She's really excited because this is her first lottery," Sassy said of her character, a teenage computer whiz who hopes to find her own job in the company when she grows up.
Her first lottery, however, turns out to be one she will never forget.
Emily Rose, who plays the intern Miss Adams, said the play has a message for the actors and the audience alike.
"I think it just shows the truth of living life, and how we're pretty blind," she said.
Other cast members include Dani Dauth, Rob Cook, Dave Lorandeau and Ashley Burbank, and Kat Milinazzo, student directing apprentice, is working with the actors and with a technical staff that includes Jason Roy on lighting and Tonya Amalfitano overseeing props.
"I'm really excited about working with Lisa," Kat said of Stathoplos. "She's been a great inspiration to me."
For her part, Stathoplos praised Milinazzo for her dedication as an assistant director and her professionalism as they work with this talented cast and crew.
As for the inspiration for the play, Stahoplos explained that she and Crockett feel "Shirley Jackson's basic message is something like, ‘Think for yourself or bad stuff will happen.' We take this further with video of the many, many times in the history of man - and particularly the 20th century - when, because we acted like sheep, very bad things happened."
Sara said that she sees many parallels to modern society in the short story and in Crockett's theatrical adaptation.
"I really feel that this play is a reflection of our culture in American society," Gelsey agreed.
Rob said he believes anyone who is old enough to comprehend the meaning of the story will appreciate this play. He described it as illustrating that changes in civilizations do not happen slowly over time, but in "short, violent bursts."
Sara thanked Stathoplos for her efforts to provide opportunities like this for York High School's student-actors to perform and to really consider their own roles in society.
"Our eyes have really opened," Emma agreed. "We are being changed."
Performances are Friday and Saturday, May 11 and 12, at the York High School Auditorium at 7:30 p.m., and are appropriate for anyone middle-school age or older. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for students and senior citizens, and may be purchased at the door.
"We hope that people leave the show thinking," Katie said.
Following the performances, Stathoplos said, there will be informal discussions with the cast, writer, directors and crew for those who wish to participate.
"I hope a lot of people will come and see it. I want this to impact them," Candace said. "If you think you know all about society, you better come see this play. It's something you don't want to miss."
