One-Act Play Sweeps Sub-Section Festival
 Advance to Section Finals; Encore performance this Friday at 7pm 

The cast and crew of the PCHS One-Act Play will be advancing to Section Finals for an unprecedented fifth year in a row, following their first place finish Saturday at Sub-Section Festival here in Pine City.  Pine City’s comedy, “slasreveR neveS” by Alan Haehnel, is a creative parody of theatrical convention – and convention in general.

According to senior Rachel Sparling, who plays Mrs. Chillywine in the show, the play is “hilarious.”  While the first few minutes might leave audience members a bit confused, “once you understand the gimmick of it, you’ll be rolling on the floor laughing.”  Sparling also complimented her fellow cast members, saying, “one of the thing that makes it so funny is that everyone is really dedicated to their part and this is probably one of the best one-acts we’ve done in years.” 

Director Brad Mariska gives huge props to his cast and crew, as well as several adult volunteers who have assisted with the production. “A program this successful is definitely a collaborative effort and there are a lot of people who have lent their time and talent to this show.”

Saturday’s 6 plays were adjudicated by a three-member panel of theatre experts, all of which gave their first place vote to Pine City.  One judge said the show was “brilliantly done,” calling the performances “melodramatic perfection.” 

Also advancing to sections was Mora High School with their model Moliere farce, “The Imaginary Cuckold.”   Other schools participating were Rush City (3^rd), Maranatha Academy (4^th), Academy for Sciences and Agriculture (5^th), and Braham (6^th).  Pine City will face off again perennial powerhouses St. Paul Academy, St. Croix Lutheran, Foley, and Milaca.  The Section Finals are hosted by Milaca this year.

The theatre program is also again partnering with the Pine Community Food Shelf.  This past fall, cast and crew collected more than 600 pounds of food and over $100 cast during their 7^th Annual “Trick-or-Treat for the Food Shelf” event.  Over $400 in additional funds were raised by last weekend’s performances of “slasreveR neveS.”

There will be one more chance to see the play this Friday at 7pm at the Pine City Elementary Auditorium.  Admission is only $2, which will be donated to the Pine Community Food Shelf.

(Photo courtesy of Erin Gaffaney)