July 19, 2017
Story and photos by Micah Oelze
The Barton Community College Theatre Department will present “The Contrast”, a musical comedy, at 8 p.m. July 25 at the Great Bend Downtown Bandshell in Jack Kilby Square. The play is free but donations are welcome.
“The Contrast” was written in 1787 by Royall Tyler and is the first comedy to be written by an American citizen which was professionally produced. The story takes place in New York City following the revolutionary war. Through use of satire, the show explores the relationship between those trying to create and adopt the American culture compared to those who simply can’t or won’t let go of the British culture.
Barton Theatre Director Dr. Abel commented one of the great elements of Barton’s Theatre program is the community involvement.
“I am pleased we continue to attract a wide range of actors representing the community and college at large,” Barton Theatre Director Dr. Abel said. “It is additionally rewarding that we have new people coming out to audition and be part of our productions.”
Jessica Pfortmiller, an incoming freshman who is on a theatre scholarship, plays Maria in the upcoming musical. Pfortmiller is no stranger to the Barton Theatre Department. She acted in an original play from the Playwright Series earlier in the year along with the spring production of “Servant of Two Masters.”
Pfortmiller brings additional experience from participating in Larned High School’s theatre department. While she has a love for theatre, it isn’t where she sees herself in the future for a career. Pfortmiller plans to major in social work but isn’t giving up the stage. Her peers have seen her growth and expressed their excitement for her future in Barton’s Theatre Department.
“Jessica was nervous at first and now I can see her becoming more comfortable,” said Kara Grossfield, a recent Barton theatre grad who is serving as the assistant director and stage manager for “The Contrast.” “She is just so good. I think as we practice she is realizing the talent that she has.”
Pfortmiller’s character Maria is engaged to marry Billy Dimple not of her own will but of her fathers’ who believes he is looking out for her best interest. One day, Colonel Manly stumbles into her apartment and sets off a spark of her own volition.
“Maria has been reading a lot more books and is starting to realize what she wants in a man and in her life,” she said, “when in walks Colonel Manly who embodies all those things.”
Pfortmiller, like many actors, tapped into her past to bring her character to life.
“Longing to be with somebody who actually knows you; someone who sees the best and worst parts of you and still wants to be with you,” she said. “Dimple is very superficial and doesn’t know Maria at all, where Manly sees who Maria is and wants to be with her for who she is. I have taken from my own life experiences, with the good and bad, to help drive those emotions in this character.”
Pfortmiller hopes that everyone can come in and just have a good time with this comedic production. Her counterpart in the show David Burdett, a 2012 Barton theatre graduate who plays Colonel Manly, hopes the audience not only takes the time to come see “The Contrast” but also leaves with a reminder to slow down and take the time to experience life.
“In central Kansas, you have a lot of people that are hard workers from dawn to dusk. I hope they see through my performance that while it’s good to be hardworking, it’s nice to have those moments where you smell the flowers or are in love,” he said. “It doesn’t have to be with somebody, take a moment to be in love with nature or go watch the Royals and love that; just take a moment and love.”