Ankeny Students Prepare for Comedic Performance of 'Inspecting Carol'

Aspiring actors at Ankeny High School will treat audiences to a comedic tale about a small theater group and a case of mistaken identity.

The Ankeny High School Drama Department will debut its fall play, "Inspecting Carol," at 7 p.m. Friday. Director Cary Shapiro said he’s certain playgoers will have a good time watching the production.

“They don’t need to come in with any other expectations other than to enjoy themselves,” he said.

“Inspecting Carol,” written by playwright Daniel Sullivan, is a production about a small theater group that each year puts on the play “A Christmas Carol.”

The group’s grant money is being cut again, and an inspector is coming to evaluate their show one more time. When they mistake an aspiring actor — whose acting skills leave a lot to be desired — for the inspector, hilarity ensues after the group asks him to rewrite the play.

Performances will be held at 7 p.m. both Friday and Saturday. A matinee will also be held at 2 p.m. Sunday in the auditorium.

Shapiro said “Inspecting Carol” is a well-written play with lots of classic humor.

“We did this same production about 12 years ago,” Shapiro said. 

Rachel Braak, a senior with a role in the play, agreed the humor will appeal to those who come to see the production.

“Lots of funny things happen in this play,” she said.

Braak was involved in one-act plays in the past and also worked as part of the stage crew. She wanted to be in this play because it’s her senior year. Many of her friends also are in the production.

“I’ve made a lot of new friends, too,” she said.

Braak, who classifies herself as a quiet person, said it was a challenge to play her character because she “yells a lot.”

“I think my friends will come and see it because they don’t get to see my yell a lot,” she said. “It’s a funny play and it will get everyone laughing.”

Including Braak, . Shapiro said there are dozens of students working behind the scenes of the play. 

The cast is comprised of 10^th- through 12^th-graders, some veterans of the stage as well as newcomers.

“We have a wide range of actors in the cast,” Shapiro said. “The kids all bring their own new and different aspect to their characters.”

This production will mark the department’s first in the auditorium at the new Ankeny High School. Shapiro said it has been a big adjustment for the crew in many ways, including getting used to the larger stage and the new technical aspects of the auditorium.

Shapiro said the auditorium should make for a better theater experience with its space and acoustics.

“It’s 200 seats larger than our last auditorium,” he said, “and it’s a lot prettier.”