Lackawanna Trail students play dual roles in spring production of ‘Kiss Me, Kate’

FACTORYVILLE — Lackawanna Trail students play both American and Shakespearean roles in the spring production of “Kiss Me, Kate,” which won the first-ever Tony Award for best musical in 1949. Students have been rehearsing their production since Jan. 7 under the direction of Brink Powell.

“What drew me to it is it makes Shakespeare accessible,” said Powell. “So, I kind of love any show that can combine Shakespeare and bring it up to a more modern audience.”

Powell first saw this musical when she was 16 years old and has loved it ever since.

“The story itself is an adaptation of ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ by William Shakespeare,” she said. “We have several kids who are playing two different characters so they are playing an actor in the theater troupe and they are playing a character in ‘The Taming of the Shrew,’ so that’s been fun to work with them on developing two distinct characters within the same show.”

Isaac Vierling plays Fred Graham, an arrogant producer who wants his production of “The Taming of the Shrew” to be perfect.

“He (Graham) tries to be a strong leader who thinks highly of himself,” Vierling said.

His Shakespearean character is Petruchio, a suitor for Katherine, who proclaims she hates men.

This is the first play for Vierling, who enjoys the surroundings of the theater and playing the scenes with other people.

“Everyone has been nice and friendly,” he said. “I’m enjoying the experience. “

Abigail Dalton plays Fred’s ex-wife Lilli Vanessi whose tension between Graham shows onstage in the “Taming of the Shrew.” Her character is just as stuck-up as her Shakespearean character Katherine. Dalton enjoys playing someone she’s not and also enjoys the people she has been working with.

“Everyone is so nice,” she said. “We get along really well. It’s fun acting with them.”

Kevin Thorne plays carefree Bill Calhoun, who loses $10,000 gambling and blames it on Graham. In the “Taming of the Shrew,” he plays one of the suitors pursuing Bianca, Katherine’s younger sister.

Thorne has been in the drama club since seventh grade and does ballet and tap in this show.

“I love the drama club,” he said. “It made me a more outgoing person.”

Playing Thorne’s opposite is Samantha Schur as the ditzy and promiscuous Lois Lane, an actress who sees “The Taming of the Shrew” as her big break. Her Shakespearean role is Katherine’s younger sister Bianca, who wants to marry but has to wait for her older sister to find a suitor of her own.

Schur has also been in the drama club since seventh grade.

“It’s fun being a bigger character this year, she said. “It made me more confident.”

“Kiss Me, Kate” will be performed in the Lackwanna Trail High School auditorium on Friday, March 29, Saturday, March 30, and Sunday, March 31.

Lois Lane, played by Samantha Schur, scolds Bill Calhoun, played by Kevin Thorne, for gambling away $10,000.

https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_20190325_182535-1.jpg.optimal.jpgLois Lane, played by Samantha Schur, scolds Bill Calhoun, played by Kevin Thorne, for gambling away $10,000. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Lilli Vanessi, played by Abigail Dalton, talks to her fiancée Senator Harrison Powell on the phone as frustrated Fred Graham, played by Isaac Vierling, listens in.

https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_20190325_183105-1.jpg.optimal.jpgLilli Vanessi, played by Abigail Dalton, talks to her fiancée Senator Harrison Powell on the phone as frustrated Fred Graham, played by Isaac Vierling, listens in. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Fred Graham, center, played by Isaac Vierling, is confronted by two gangsters Madison Norman, left, and Owen Scioscia, who are there to collect a monetary debt.

https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_20190325_183914-1.jpg.optimal.jpgFred Graham, center, played by Isaac Vierling, is confronted by two gangsters Madison Norman, left, and Owen Scioscia, who are there to collect a monetary debt. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Samantha Schur, Kevin Thorne, Abigail Dalton, and Isaac Vierling perform an opening number for ‘Taming of the Shrew.’

https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_20190325_184851-1.jpg.optimal.jpgSamantha Schur, Kevin Thorne, Abigail Dalton, and Isaac Vierling perform an opening number for ‘Taming of the Shrew.’ Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

From left, Bianca, played by Samantha Schur, is romantically pursued by Lucentio, played by Kevin Thorne, and two other suitors, played by Kamryn Mercer as Hortensio and Rachel Sexton as Gremio.

https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_20190325_185244.jpg.optimal.jpgFrom left, Bianca, played by Samantha Schur, is romantically pursued by Lucentio, played by Kevin Thorne, and two other suitors, played by Kamryn Mercer as Hortensio and Rachel Sexton as Gremio. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

From left, Signora Baptista, Katherine’s mom, played by Tia Brooks, Petruchio played by Isaac Vierling and Katherine played by Abigail Dalton.

https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_20190325_191201-1.jpg.optimal.jpgFrom left, Signora Baptista, Katherine’s mom, played by Tia Brooks, Petruchio played by Isaac Vierling and Katherine played by Abigail Dalton. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal