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By Nina Crowder
San Manuel Drama teacher Bethany Smith the said it has been seventeen years since there has been a play put on at the San Manuel High School. The San Manuel High alumnus was pleased to bring back drama to San Manuel as the San Manuel Drama Class presented the play “I Bet Your Life” by Fred Carmichael on Apr. 27 and 28.
The play features clever situations, intriguing romance and surprise twists. Matthew Stoddard has written a screenplay about a terminally ill man who hires a hitman to kill him and then finds out he has been misdiagnosed. Matt’s agent and best friend Greg, thinks his plot is not feasible so Matt contacts a gangster and arranges for an incognito hitman to join them at a dinner party in the country to prove his point.
Circumstances place a real hitman among the guests and the action accelerates as they try to find out who it is before the deadline. Stacey, secretary and love interest to both men, does her best to help them solve the identity question as surprise after surprise awaits them. Is the whole scheme really a con game? Who is conning who? This was certainly a fun play to watch as the events unfolded. The young cast did a terrific job.
Wayne Newman is student body president and National Honors Society President. He will be attending Lipscomb University in the fall on a track and field scholarship and will major in nursing. Wayne played the character Gregory Larson.
Lupita Estrada is student body secretary and is a member of National Honors Society and played the character of Stacy Kingsley.
Wyatt Fessenden is student body parliamentarian and is a member of National Honors Society. He played the character of Matthew Stoddard.
Kari Scott is also an active choir member. She will be attending Northern Arizona University in the fall and will major in journalism. Kari played the character Laura Pudney.
Jake Torres is currently active on the baseball team and played the character Burton Finley.
Toni Molina is involved in the advanced art classes. After high school she wants to be a band photographer. She played the character of Gerta.
Megan Garcia is a member of National Honors Society. She would like to be a sign language interpreter after high school. Megan played the character of Lila Langforth.
John Bribiescas is student body Vice President and played the character Ira Watson.
Nicole Primero-Prego is an active track team member and played the character of Henrietta Squires.
The play was directed by Smith with student directors Michael Borg and John Bribiescas, stage managers Damaris Galarza and Guillermo Madrid. Lights, sound and set were done by Austin Clark and props by Amara Apuron.
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