Clarke to present ‘The Werewolf’s Curse Or Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow’

This year’s Clarke spring play will be “The Werewolf’s Curse or Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow,” to be performed on 7 p.m., Friday, April 14 and Saturday, April 15.

The play

In the play, American student Harry Pate is studying at the University of Lipsync in Rumania. While on a field trip, Harry is bitten by a werewolf cub. At the next full moon, Harry sprouts new hair and has an insatiable taste for roast beef - prepared rare.

Harry’s newfound affinity for rare roast beef is to the dismay of his fiancée, Etta Greenleaf, who is a vegetarian.

Harry and Etta head off to Dr. Frank Einstein’s castle to consult with Madam Clara Voyant, however, the Doctor decides to transform Harry fully into a werewolf instead of curing him, so that he can sell him to Professor Wonder for money.

The play is a spoof of 1930′s horror films, and in addition to a werewolf features an ancient mummy; a vampire who only drinks juice (he’s the son of a fruit bat); members of a third-rate carnival troupe such a bearded lady, Siamese twins attached at the fingertip, a puny strongman, a sword swallower with a chronic sore throat, and a belly dancer; and seven villagers who are played by two, quick-changing actors.

The play is sure to be “a howl” for audiences who are looking for a fun, goofy comedy.

Cast and crew

Don May directs the play with Veronica Banuelos serving as assistant director.

Bryce Johnson plays the lead role of Harry Pate, with Molly Sickels as his fiancée Etta Greenleaf. Calhoun Lundquist takes on the role of Dr. Frank Einstein, Peyton Shields as Professor Wonder, and Keira McLain as Madam Clara Voyant. The mummy, Queen Tootiefruitee, is played by Evelyn Drake and Baron Biteronderneck, the vampire, by Jonathan Galvez.

The carnival troupe cast is comprised of Kelsey Haltom as Harriett, Danika McCloney as Dianne Needles, Jake Pontier as Great Giganticus, Abbie Schilcthe and Amy Morales as Opal and Pearl Joiner, Cooper Reece as Nick Gillette, Marquaize Coughran as Bella, and Skye Williams as Monster, a creation of Dr. Einstein’s.

The seven villagers are played by Micah Domina - Otto Doppelganger, Olaf Doppelganger, Hans Doppelganger and Frederick Doppelganger - and AJ Hendrickson - Heide Doppelganger, Freida Doppelganger and Brunhilda Doppelganger.

Crew members are Maliah Johnson, Janie Antoine, Gracee Courtney, Alicia Davalos, Amy Morales, Melanie Sandoval, Tommy Courtney, Leah Flowers, Marquize Coughran, Peyton Shields, Lucy Rios, Jack Schlichte, Kelsey Haltom, Gabby Fry, Veronica Banuelos, Dejah Rowe, Molly Sickels, Audrey Pontier, DeVante Caldwell, Skye Williams and Brody Feehan.

The Werewolf’s Curse or Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow was performed by Clarke Drama in 2007.

Playwright

The Werewolf’s Curse Or Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow was written by the late Billy St. John.

St. John’s plays have been produced in all 50 states and many countries around the world. They include melodramas, comedies and murder mysteries. Over 50 of St. John’s plays were published.

Other St. John plays performed at Clarke have included The Plot, Like Gravy, Thickens and Is There a Comic In The House?