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Teach Me How To Cry by Full Circle Theatre Company 
The high school years can be difficult enough under normal situations what with peer pressure, added responsibility, rapid approach to adulthood, and yet still not quite able to fully exercise their independce. But Melinda Grant and Will Henderson have it even harder than most.
Will is new to the small town, but this is nothing new to him. In his seventeen years he has moved seventeen times. What few friends he is able to make during his brief stays, he loses just as quickly. Meanwhile, Melinda has lived in the same town in the same house all her life, but her painfully shy, agoraphobic mother who people consider to be criminally insane does not make it easy for her to make friends and fit in among her classmates. These two outsiders may never be accepted into the established cliques of this small town, but together they may find the strength to be happy just the way they are and care not what the rest of the world thinks. The Full Circle Theatre Company provides the opportunity for youth to work in a professional environment with seasoned adult actors, and in Teach Me How To Cry Director Andy Boutelle has found a script that contains great roles for both students and adults. Katie Reynolds stars as the moody, introverted loner Melinda Grant who yearns to be relaxed, happy, accepted, and to fit in with the "normal" kids. A great new talent, Katie especially excels as the sometimes frustrated, somewhat embarrassed, but understanding daughter of her timid mother, Mrs. Grant. Nicole Mark, as Mrs. Grant, gives an equally remarkable performance as the extremely sensitive young mother who is terribly uncomfortable around people, though she desperately wants to be liked. La Jolla High School junior Jason Robertson, as male lead Will Henderson, turns in a surprisingly tender and polished performance for any young actor in a drama playing a central and deeply written character, but made even more surprising by the fact that this was his theatrical debut! Clayton Bailey comes through with a strong turn as Will's boisterous, obnoxious salesman father opposite his emotionally volatile wife portrayed nicely by Ginger Radenheimer. Causing extra strife in all of their lives is the terribly selfish, nauseatingly vain antagonist -- Polly. She's used to being the star both in real life and on stage in their school's drama club, and when outsider Melinda Grant threatens to steal some of that limelight away, the beautiful Polly can get very ugly. Sophomore Christine Garver plays the despicable role to the hilt from her outward confidence to her hidden, inner self-doubting. Just another one of the characters that are so richly written, and richly portrayed, in Patricia Joudry's play. Rob Hopper San Diego Playbill ~ Cast ~
Mrs. Grant: Nicole Mark Miss Robson: Ann Lyon-Boutelle Melinda Grant: Katie Reynolds Polly Fisher: Christine Garver Bruce Mitchell: Jeremy Hastings Eleanor: Liz Edwards or Ashley Rollerson Anne: Caroline Weiss or Clara Loginov Mr. Henderson: Clayton Bailey Will Henderson: Jason Robertson Mrs. Henderson: Ginger Radenheimer Director: Andy Boutelle Stage Manager: Masha Tsimring Set Design: Walt Stewart Costume Design: Liz Edwards Lighting Design: Jeremy Hastings Sound Design: Bob Taylor and KC Martin |