Are you interested in books adapted into plays? Do pretentious and unruly children make you giggle? Lake Park’s first production of the 2024-2025 school year will catch your fancy then! Lake Park Theatre will be putting on the Children’s Play adaptation of Miss Nelson is Missing, a popular children’s book. The story follows a disobedient elementary school class as they mistreat their kind teacher. . .until she goes missing! This throws the students into a chaos and confusion. They turn to their principal, and even a detective. But they soon realize that they must work together to hunt down their now revered teacher. Will they find her?
The Upperclassmen cast is composed of senior Lauren Troutman (Miss Nelson/Miss Viola Swamp), and juniors Izzy Smith (Detective McSmogg) and Tyler Graham (Principal Humlecker.) The list of Sophomores comprises Mackenzie Pualish (Phoebe), Michelangelo Lampignano (Morris, aka “Mouse”), Johnny Henderson (George Jorgenson Jr.), David Adenekan (Raymond), Alexis Pichay (Kimberly), and Victor Tellez (Elvis.) Eliza Johanek, the only Freshman, will be playing Lavita. Another exquisite group is the wonderful crew, which includes the two student directors: Meya Wiggins (Senior) and Sarah Ward (Junior.) Finally, there are the tireless adults. Ms. Keith, the director; Ms. Consoli, the costumes director; Mr. Goldspiel, the crew director; and all the other faculty involved. All of these people, cast, crew, and staff, have worked very hard to memorize lines, man lights, paint sets, organize and make this show the best it can be!
Lauren Troutman, who is the senior responsible for the roles of Miss Nelson and Miss Viola Swamp, highly recommends seeing this show. “I think this show is funny and adorable. It has a lot of slap-stick comedy moments. I really love it, and I think the public will too!” Tyler Graham (Principal Humlecker) also advocates for this play. “It’s got a good sense of humor. I think it’s cool how they depict the principal to make him seem hip because he thinks he’s modern.” This Children’s Play marks the last of its kind for the two Seniors, Meya Wiggins and Lauren Troutman. Lauren states, “I have a lot of emotions right now because this is my last Children’s Play at Lake Park. I couldn’t have asked for a better cast, director, and set!” Luckily, they both have many more acting and crew opportunities this year.
Miss Nelson is Missing is free to see, and it’s one night only! This Wednesday, September 25th at 6 pm in the Lake Park East Campus Auditorium, come prepared to laugh until your stomach hurts! Come see this once-in-a-lifetime adventure! Make sure to pack those seats Wednesday night! Don’t be “MISSING!”
