‘Bringing Down the House’ to hit the stage at Greenwood High School
By Stephanie Glaser The Greenwood and Loyal high schools combined theater department is gearing up for a night of laughs with its spring production of “Bringing Down the House,” a fast-paced comedy by Todd Wallinger. Performances will take place on Friday, April 4, and Saturday, April 5, at 7 p.m., with a matinee on Sunday, April 6, at 1:30 p.m. in the Greenwood High School cafetorium. Tickets are $7 for adults; students attend free. Tickets will be available at the door.
“Bringing Down the House” follows three aspiring musical theater creators — Jules, Sydney, and Elliot — who have big dreams of premiering their new show for Broadway investors. They’ve rented an old theater for six weeks, hoping to perfect their production, only to discover an unexpected twist: The building is scheduled for demolition the next day! With no time to spare and no money to secure another venue, the team has just two hours to throw a show together.
As they scramble to rehearse, things go from bad to worse when constant interruptions threaten to ruin their plans. From an overly enthusiastic child actor, to a group of confused protesters, a pushy politician, and even a demolition crew, the rehearsal is anything but smooth sailing.
The cast and crew have been rehearsing since January to fine-tune the witty dialogue and perfect their comedic timing under the direction of Erik Adams, Stephanie Glaser, and Kelsey Hoverson. “This play is all about embracing chaos and turning obstacles into opportunities,” said Glaser. “The cast has done a great job leaning into the comedy, and we can’t wait to share it with the audience.”
For many students, the production has been an opportunity to step into new roles both on and off the stage. “It’s an awesome, fun, silly time!” said RaeAnn Osborne, who plays Sydney, one of the ambitious writers trying to save the show. Ashlyn Green, who plays Karlee Keen, the overly eager child actor who constantly interrupts rehearsals, echoed that sentiment. “The play has been a great way to meet new people, express our creativity, and have some fun,” she said. Emily Hebert, who portrays Hildy, a well-intentioned historical preservationist, agreed. “I think the audience is really going to enjoy the energy we bring to the stage.”
Whether you’re a fan of slapstick comedy, witty wordplay, or just love a good underdog story, “Bringing Down the House” promises to entertain. Be sure to grab your tickets at the door and support Greenwood and Loyal’s talented performers as they bring the house down — hopefully not literally!
