by Anthony Robinson

The 2010 fall play at AHS “Flowers for Algernon,” from the novel by Daniel Keyes and adapted for the stage by David Rogers will be presented Nov. 5 and 6 in the Atlantic High School Auditorium.

For the past nine weeks students have been rehearsing lines, practicing stage directions, and adjusting to the lights and sounds of the complex show.   After all of the hard work, the students are prepared to present the final product.

The performance involves nearly thirty total characters.  The principal cast includes Ian Goehring- Charlie Gordan, Anne Chess- Alice Kinnian, Joey Leinen- Dr. Jay Strauss, Tom Stinn- Professor Harold Nemur, Matt Iekel- Burt Seldon, Samantha Koontz- Mother, and Aaron Johnson- Father.

The Atlantic High School Thespians will present “Flowers For Algernon” in the Atlantic High School Auditorium November 5 and 6 at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets will be on sale at the door, five dollars for adults and three dollars for students.  AHS students can be admitted free with their student activity pass.

Synopsis provided by director Terrance Shuman

“Flowers for Algernon” tells the story of Charlie Gordon; a 32-year-old mentally disabled man, and the strange interweaving of his life with that of Algernon, a laboratory mouse.  Experimental surgery has been performed on Algernon increasing his intelligence fourfold.  Charlie becomes the first human subject of this surgery, and rapidly changes to a genius, far more intelligent than his teacher, Alice Kinnian, or the doctors who created the operating technique.  As Charlie approaches the peak of his brilliance, Algernon shows frightening symptoms of regression. The play becomes a race against time in which Charlie tries to keep his new intelligence long enough to save himself and thus continue what he an Alice have found.”