Shelby Hockaday and Miles Ricketts rehearse for "We The People" at the Brewery Arts Center on Monday. Cathleen Allison/ Nevada Appeal
The BAC Stage Kids are at it again, this time with a show that could contain too much flag waving were it not for an outstanding cast making the U.S. Constitution come to life at the Brewery Art Center's Reynolds Theatre.
"We the People" is the kind of show that reminds us all, without being corny, that America is a pretty fine place. One of the reasons is the Preamble to the Constitution. You remember it, right?
Author Pat Cook says about the show, "How can you say a few words about America?"
So begins this patriotic tableau as a committee of six discusses putting on a patriotic show and what the United States means to them.
Then, when somebody produces the Preamble to the Constitution, they take turns reading it and showing how it applies to our past, present and future in a series of sketches. Everyday life is shown in both funny and poignant vignettes, from neighbors arguing their constitutional rights to have crabgrass to an immigrant's story of how she came to America "with just a few coins." It illustrates how our country is made up first and foremost by "We the People."
The cast is doubled in many cases, with two committees at work. Committee "A" includes Veronika Avitia, Gus DeBacco, Emily Friedl, Tracy Morris, Miles Ricketts and Michael Scott. The "B" panel includes Elizabeth Bennett, Will Dietlein, Lainey Henderson, David McComb, Ariel Scott and Austin Scott.
Other cast members include Danita Bayer, Chelsea Carlton, Chloe DeBacco, Jayme Foremaster, AnneMarie Gonzales, Shelby Hockaday, Jacob Lindstrom, Rachel Rhees, Monica Ricketts, Emily Robertson, Abigail Scott, Jim Shufelt and Grant Zampiro.
Keep your eyes peeled for Jayme; she just landed a major part in a feature film after an audition last week in Dallas.
As a matter of fact, keep your eyes peeled all through the show. There are nifty little bits the troupe has thought up that may surprise you.
The director is Dave Josten, fresh from his role in "Bleacher Bums." The producer is Pat Josten, with David McComb on lights and sound design, Lyn McComb as house manager, Angelina Avitia on sound and Kelsey Zampiro on lights.
Wells Fargo Bank provided a $5,000 grant for the production. Also contributing were Soroptimist International of Carson City and Sheepdip of Reno.
n Contact Sam Bauman at sbauman@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1236.
'We the People'
What: BAC Stage Kids present "We the People"
Where: Brewery Arts Center's Donald W. Reynolds Theatre, 449 W. King St.
When: Friday, Saturday, May 20 and 21 at 7 p.m.; 2 p.m. Sunday and May 22
Call: 883-1976
Other: The show will play seven dates at local schools. One date remains open; call Pat Josten at 887-0438.