MUH-Theatre presents brand new comedy in Teachers Left Behind

January 31, 2008

Bekka Eaton just can’t wait for this one.

“This is a landmark event for Miami Hamilton Theatre. It promises to be quite a wonderful adventure,” says Eaton, Assistant Professor of Theatre. “It’s a comedy with music about the state of education in America.”

Teachers Left Behind was written by local playwright Bridgett Ossmann. The play is presented by Miami Hamilton in collaboration with the Fairfield Community Arts Center’s Playwriting Program.

It deals with the No Child Left Behind program, funding for education, state testing, curriculum, parents, administrators, and of course students, through the eyes of Virginia Budge, an aging and meddlesome retiring school teacher.

“We hope you will join Ms. Budge on her journey through a basement of memories as she begrudgingly packs her prized teaching paraphernalia with laughter exploding as she fills each box,” Eaton said.

The play contains some strong language. As always, a copy of the script will be on reserve in Miami Hamilton’s Rentschler Library for parents to peruse and decide if it is appropriate for their families.

Eaton said she is particularly proud to partner with “the theatre folks in Fairfield” in presenting Teachers Left Behind “for the first time on any stage.”

The cast includes Joan M. Kirsch starring as Virginia Budge, with Michael Potter as Francis; Judy Allen as Debbie; Amber Samblanet as Christine, and John Vanderplough as Alex. Supporting cast members are Jorni Eaton, Anna Endsley, Sarah Godsey, Ethan Goodman, Helen Mullen, Karla Nunemaker, Alex Rouse and Clare Sunderman.

Music will be provided by AMPS Rock band, a division of Chip Bramlage’s A Music Production Studio (A.M.P.S.).

The curtain rises at 7:30 p.m. March 27-29 (Thursday, Friday, Saturday) and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 30, in Parrish Auditorium.

General admission tickets are $8; $6 for students and senior citizens. Call (513) 529-3200, or click on www.tickets.muohio.edu.

For more information, email eatonrl@muohio.edu or teachersleftbehind@gmail.com.