Time for a little humor

<p>If election season's overwhelming influx of campaign flyers, political ads on TV and debates have got you down, students at Petaluma High School may have just the thing to get you smiling and laughing again.</p><p>PHS drama teacher and director Jonathan Knox and a cast of about 13 students are putting the finishing touches on their production of Michael Frayn's 1982 comedy, “Noises Off,” opening Nov. 8.</p><p>“I really wanted to do something funny,” said Knox. “This is the most hilarious play. Even today I'm always laughing at the lines no matter how many times I hear them.”</p><p>Frayn's comedy is about a play within a play titled “Nothing On.” Much of the humor and slapstick comes from off-stage chaos affecting on-stage performances.</p><p>“The students are having a lot of fun with it,” said Knox.</p><p>This isn't the first time PHS has performed “Noises Off.” Knox said that the students first tackled it five years ago.</p><p>“We had such great success and fun with it the first time we thought we'd bring it back,” said Knox.</p><p>PHS has taken on some ambitious plays in the past, including “Chicago,” “Rent” and “South Pacific.”</p><p>“We did 'Harvey' last fall and it was probably one of our best plays,” said Knox.</p><p>What makes the performance of “Noises Off” a challenge this time around is that the cast of students are mostly freshman and sophomores who are new to the stage. </p><p>“It means I have to do a lot more instructing, but I'm enjoying myself,” said Knox. “I double cast a few characters and have a couple of understudies. My acting pool dried up from last year.”</p><p>The ensemble cast of “Noises Off” includes Carolina Sedano (sophomore) and Leah Richter (freshman) as Dotty; Alyssa Alverez (senior) and Itzel Salgado (sophomore) as Belinda; Simon Corado (sophomore) and Zane Zinkel (sophomore) as Tim; Alexis Pokorny (senior) and Sierra Campbell (freshman) as Brooke; Branden Hogdahl (senior) as Loyd; Angel Levy (sophomore) as Poppy; Rory Crowley (sophomore) as Selsdon; Andy Spring (sophomore) as Garry; and Marvin Roca (freshman) as Freddie.</p><p>Mike Long of Longevity Construction helped design and build the set. Long also created the set for the first production of “Noises Off.”</p><p>“He's been designing and building our sets for the last five years, even after his kids have gone off to college,” said Knox. “He was instrumental in putting together the set for last year's production of 'South Pacific.'”</p><p>Knox, Long and several parents have been busy each weekend on the set preparing for opening night.</p><p>“It's a labor of love,” said Knox. “We've been enjoying the process and getting to know each other. It's a lot of fun doing it. We have some of the kids who also show up to help.”</p><p>Show times for “Noises Off” are at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8-10 and Nov. 15-17. The doors open at 7 p.m. Two matinees will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 10 and Nov. 17.</p><p>Tickets will be available at the door and are $10 general, $8 students.</p><p>“We really appreciate the good response from the community,” Knox added. “They are so awesome. It's really great to have people coming to the show and the students are so thrilled to see them.” </p><p>(Contact Yovanna Bieberich at yovanna.bieberich@arguscourier.com)</p>