Valley Players got their girl for 'Man'
During auditions for Valley Players of Ligonier production "I Take This Man," director Debbie Gruss knew she was looking for someone special to play the lead.
"I had different ideas of what I wanted to bring to the cast," says Gruss. "I wanted experience and I wanted to bring someone new to Valley Players."
Gruss did find someone new to play Giddy, although she was surprised her new leading lady was a high-school senior. Despite her youth, there was no denying that Emily Zorch was perfect for the role.
Gruss carefully watched Zorch as she read lines with Kristin Paschen, who plays Giddy's roommate, Charlene. The girls displayed a chemistry that is perfect for the comedy.
"I lucked out when I found this young girl," says Gruss.
Although Zorch was hopeful at the audition, she was surprised when she won the role.
"I didn't think they would pick someone who was still in high school," says Zorch, who is a senior at Ligonier Valley High School.
Zorch's youth offers another layer to the character of Giddy. Giddy is a naive young woman who finds the man of her dreams lying in the gutter at the end of the Boston Marathon. Giddy is besotted with Bret (David Gilbert), even though he is unconscious. She convinces a helpful police officer (Bernie Sherry) that the man is her husband and requests help taking him home.
"From that point on it gets very funny and very chaotic," Gruss says.
Once home, Giddy begins a complicated charade to convince everyone, including her roommate and Charlene's boyfriend, Dex (Allan Edwards), that she is truly married to the stranger.
"It's a confusing plot," says Zorch. "But it's funny. All along I have to pretend I'm a ditz, but I know what's going on."
The plot may be a little tricky, including the surprise ending, but Zorch feels comfortable in the comedic role.
"I always get the comedy relief role," says Zorch, who has appeared in numerous school productions. "This was the first time I got the main character."
Zorch is not the only one trying something new. Gruss is trying her hand at directing for the first time.
"I've been doing theater regionally since 1983," says Gruss. "I figured it was about time I try directing. I want to get a little more behind the scenes."
Gruss was happy that her first directing experience was with the delightful "I Take This Man," which was written in 1991 by Jack Sharkey
"It's a wonderful farce," says Gruss. "The humor is written into the lines. Adding physical movement enhances it even more. I like the absolute obvious humor in the show."
Gruss is most comfortable with a laughing audience.
"Ninety-eight percent of my background has been in comedy," says Gruss. "I love to make people laugh. I love to bring people together and take away all their concerns."
Additional Information:
'I Take This Man'
Produced by: Valley Players of Ligonier
When: 8 p.m. Feb. 2, 3, 9, 10; 2:30 p.m. Feb. 11
Tickets: $12, $10 for senior citizens and students
Where: The Ligonier Theater, 208 W. Main St., Ligonier
Details: 724-238-6514, Ext. 2, or vpltheater@wpa.net
