This fall, a small cast of talented actors will present the classic play Out of the Frying Pan in the Southwest Black Box Theater. They’ve been rehearsing since mid-September and will continue until their opening in early November. Out of the Frying Pan is a two-act murder-mystery chock-full of comedy, intrigue, and fun. The intimate environment combined with the impressive technical element make for a truly unique audience experience that’s sure to become a highlight of the early school year.
Black box productions may seem similar to Southwest’s full-length spring musicals, but there’s many factors that make these performances distinctive. For one, Out of the Frying Pan is completely student directed. Henry Draheim, Charlie Cochran, and Sebastian Hermann-Campana are the three seniors collaborating to bring this show to life. They work together to select and cast the show, run rehearsals, and manage production throughout the entire process. Aside from being an incredibly impressive cast, the student leadership brings yet another element of earnestness and authenticity to this Southwest theater experience.
Out of the Frying Pan is a great showcase of the strengths that Southwest actors display. Harley Kosel, a sophomore playing the role of George, said to potential audiences, “Be ready for the funniest show of your life.”
This play is a masterful blend of campy comedy and genuine mystery that keeps the audience guessing until the very last second. The story follows six young men and women, all aspiring actors, sharing an apartment above that of a famous Broadway producer. They try anything and everything to get him to acknowledge their capabilities in theatrics. In fact, their staged murder is so realistic, two bumbling police officers have to check out the “crime scene” for themselves. The show is both clever and hilarious, and these Southwest actors and directors bring so much genuine personality to the piece.
The entire cast of Out of the Frying Pan consists of only twelve people. All of the directors are seniors, but the actors range from 9th to 12th grade. This variety of ages, along with the familiarity that comes with such a small group, results in a unique cast with a special bond. Sully Cooper (‘28) said, “It puts you into a part of a really tight-knit community and it’s a lot of fun.” This seemed like a widely agreed-upon opinion among the actors, as all of the cast members that were asked about the show highly recommended auditioning for the black box shows in the future.
On Monday, September 29th, we were given the opportunity to sit in on one of the rehearsals. Immediately upon walking in, we could feel the electric energy and closeness of the cast. After a bit of catching up with the actors and asking them a few clarifying questions, a bell sitting on the directors table was rung and the group got to work immediately. We sat on a row of bleachers squeezed up against the wall and watched as the small set came to life, granted the great privilege of witnessing act two, scene three of the play. The direction of Out of the Frying pan is incredibly hands on and personal. Actors and directors alike intermingle to discuss scenes and ask questions, giving one another enough freedom to make fun choices and bring out creativity in the rehearsal space. The success of the environment is clear due to the comfort, hilarity, and willingness to work together that the cast and crew of Out of the Frying Pan offer to the Southwest theatre scene.
Out of the Frying Pan will open on November 6th in Southwest’s Black Box. It runs over the course of one weekend and is sure to be a captivating show. Tickets will be available both online and at the door before the performances begin. Be sure to mark your calendars for this show; it’s the first Southwest theater event of the year and it’s going to be a great one!
