Hays Community Theatre
Hays Community Theatre plans to take audience members on a hilarious journey through the heartland of family memories when it presents the comedy, “Leaving Iowa,” on Feb. 21-23.
Billed as a toast to the undying dedication to the classic family road trip, the comedy will take place at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21 and Saturday, Feb. 22, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 23 at Hays Community Theatre, 121 E. Eighth Street.
The critically acclaimed play by Tim Clue and Spike Manton focuses on Don Browning, a middle-aged writer who returns home and decides to finally take his father’s ashes to his childhood home. But when Don discovers Grandma’s house is now a grocery store, he begins traveling across Iowa searching for a proper resting place for his father. This father-and-son road trip shifts smoothly from the present day to Don’s memories of the annual vacations of his childhood.
"I think audience members will be able to relate to the frustrating and hilarious situations in which Don finds himself, as well as the crazy characters he meets along the way," said director Bill Gasper. "It also has several touching moments as Don reminisces about his father while expressing a few regrets about his past relationship with him."
The play features a cast of 10, five of whom play family members, while the other five members play multiple roles depicting the various people the family meets on their journey. Portraying family members are Jerrett Leiker, Javier Alonzo, Pamela Grizzell, Brooke Leiker and Carter Stephenson. Taking on the multiple character roles are Arron Hardin, Jessica Hamner, Linda Becker, Adam Conkey and Gene Stramel.
“We have a very talented cast who is doing a great job with this play,” Gasper said. “Principal characters are challenged playing old and young versions of themselves, while the multi-role actors have been asked to create multiple distinct characters.”
Gasper said the staging of the play is somewhat unique as it will take place down the center of the theater with audience members seated on both sides. In scenes in which the family is driving, the car is situated on an elevated area at one end, while all other scenes will take place on the floor.
“This is the first time I’ve directed anything like this,” Gasper said. “I saw this done in a production of the show and felt it would be perfect for this particular venue. I think the audience will really enjoy the close proximity of the actors.”
General admission tickets are $10 and can be purchased at www.hctks.com.