 Great Expections is the fall production by the Friendswood High School Drama Department under the direction of Kathy Powdrell.
Great Expectations, a novel by Charles Dickens, is the story of a man’s life: Pip takes us from his earliest days living as an orphan in a Kenti village with his sister and her husband to adulthood. Time and experience make him a wiser, kinder and less selfish man. The moral element of the story is balanced by rich, dark humor and vividly drawn characters. 
A terrifying encounter on a Christmas Eve with a convict forever changes the life of an orphan, Philip Pirrup who lives with his sister, Mrs. Joe and her husband Joe, a blacksmith. After an eccentric wealthy woman, Miss Havisham and her adopted niece, Estella take an interest in him, Pip strive to better himself and become a gentleman. Mr. Jaggers informs Pip of a secret benefactor, who makes it possible for Pip to move to London. In London, Pip has no expectation of the hidden dangers that awaits him.
The story was first published (in 1860-61) in weekly installments, one or two chapters at a time. It was then reissued in volumes.
 This production that will be presented by FHS was premiered by the Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford – upon – Avon Christmas, 2005.
The FHS production has been cast.
Nick Vennekotter will portray Pip (with Mason Conrad portraying the young Pip). Great Expectations is his story of his rise to wealth and learning that wealth does not bring happiness.
Colin David will be Magwitch (convict on the marshes: source of Pip’s expectations, Estella’s father).
Ryan Frenk will portray Herbert Pocket (Pip’s kind and loyal friend relative of Miss Havisham).
Carly Taylor will be Estella with Alex Williams acting the young Estella. (Beautiful and haughty adopted daughter of Miss Havisham. She taunts and attracts Pip).
Jennifer Finch will be Miss Havisham (Strange, reclusive woman who was swindled by her fiancé on her wedding day).
James VanMatre will portray Jaggers (London trial lawyer with much success).
Charles Easterly will be Joe (kind blacksmith married to Pip’s sister).
Mrs. Joe will be portrayed by Teagan Batts. (Mrs.Joe is Pip’s abusive older sister).
 Allison Unger is Biddy (A young girl from Pip’s night classes who helps with Pip’s sister after the attack and later marries Joe. She is Pip’s confidant).
Alex Rickard is Uncle Pumblechook (Joe’s pompous self important uncle who arranges for Pip to visit Miss Havisham’s house).
Alan Murphy will be Dolge Orlick (Joe’s assistant in the forge who is responsible for the attack on Mrs. Joe and who later tries to kill Pip).
Daniel Kriel will portray Wr. Wopsle (A clerk in Pip’s church who wants to be a clergyman and gives it up to be an actor).
Other cast members include Catherine Goode, Ben Watt, Andy Newton, Meagan Holmes, Brian Gallagher, Zacary Thompson, Sarah Sameei, Julia Taylor, and Kim Messarra.
Ensemble cast will be Stephanie Porter, Chris Haley, Hannah Vaughn, Trevor Wrinkle, Lizzie Conger, Chase Harris, Audrey Bounds, JP Hranitsky, Amanda Sherer, Andrew Philp, Amy Jo Foreman, Michael Moeller, Lindsey Landers, Cam Morris, Kaylee Huff, Ben Peck, Blythe Dever, Mark Walker, Ashley Mims, and Chase Crouse.
The Theatre Students will be available for a Talk-Back after Thursday's show.
As 9th grade English AP reads Great Expectations it may be beneficial for students to see the performance.
Seniors James VanMatre and Colin David will host the talk back. Other actors including Charles Easterly, Jennifer Finch, Carly Taylor, Mason Conrad, Ben Watt, Nick Vennekotter and Alex Williams will lead the cast and crew in discussion.
“We hope that the performance will generate a lively discussion,” Director Kathy Powdrell said. “The talk back will begin 10 minutes after the final curtain.”
Tickets are $7 at the door.
“Many thanks to FHS English Department, Cliff Mabry and Pepper Smith for their support,” Powdrell said. |
