July 18, 2018
Story and photo by Micah Oelze
The Barton Community College Theatre Department will present two absurd one-act comedies, “The Proposal” and “The Bear” by Anton Chekhov, in Larned, St. John and Great Bend at 7:15 p.m. on July 24, 25 and 26 respectively. The Larned performance will be west of the Haas Building at Jordan Park and the St. John performance will be in the city square. The short tour will close at the Great Bend Downtown Bandshell in Jack Kilby Square. All performances are free, but donations are welcome.
“The Proposal” is about Ivan, an anxiety-ridden man, who comes to ask Stepanovitch for his daughter’s hand in marriage because he is 35 and ready to settle down, plus she is “not bad-looking.”
“Stepanovitch is a widower, and his last task in life is to unload his daughter onto someone else,” Dwight Young who plays Stepanovitch said. “He is thrilled to find out that is why Ivan is there.”
Kaleia, Stepanovitch’s daughter played by Barton sophomore Jessica Pfortmiller, is incredibly stubborn and strong headed. The combination of these characters creates an atmosphere riddled with comedic moments.
Pfortmiller described one of her favorite moment’s in the play when Ivan briefly leaves, and her father explains he came to propose.
“My line is ‘To propose to me? Why didn’t you tell me that before?’” she said. “I really channel my inner three-year-old there, and it is the whiniest line I have; normally my character is pretty down to earth, so it is really out of the norm and a lot of fun.”
Although this play was written in 1890, it is still relatable in 2018.
“It is interesting that this play written over 100 years ago can ring the same type of dynamics that you will see in relationships today,” Young said. “I think it is a learning moment in how people are the same and their challenges are the same.”
“The Bear” opens with Elena Popova mourning after her husband has died seven months prior and has decided to commit her life to mourning him. Soon Grigory Smirnov enters the scene to collect money Elena’s late husband owes him, which he needs today to pay his mortgage. After Elena informs Grigory she cannot pay him today, an already annoyed Grigory becomes filled with anger and vows to stay in her house until she pays him. Soon they begin to argue and yell at each other before Grigory realizes he may have found his true love.
Stacy Lewis, who plays Elena, heard about Barton holding auditions from a Facebook ad and decided to commit to the idea of returning to theatre.
“I was really involved in high school and college, so I thought it would be fun to try it again,” she said. “I actually came out here about a year ago to try out, and I didn’t make it in the building. If you see something you want to do you have to go for it; you only live once.”
During her time rehearsing for the show, Lewis has seen her passion for theatre brought back to life.
“I really enjoy being on stage and the environment is very friendly and welcoming,” she said. “I have learned to enjoy myself and not take it too seriously; I am doing this because I enjoy it so I should have fun.”
David Burdett is a Barton alumnus who plays Grigory in “The Bear.” He encouraged everyone to come out and enjoy the performance.
“It is a comedic farce where anything goes,” he said. “I think that is what Anton wanted, a fun play that people could enjoy.”
Lewis seconded Burdett stating, “Come out and enjoy it! It’s fun; it’s loud; it’s exciting.”