BHS Presents David & Lisa, A Play in Two Acts

Berkley High School Presents David & Lisa, a Play in Two Acts

Berkley High School is proud to present its spring play, David and Lisa - A Play in Two Acts by James Reach on March 22, 23 and 24 at 7 pm in the Berkley High School Auditorium (2325 Catalpa, Berkley). David and Lisa is based on the book "Lisa and David" by Theodore Isaac Rubin and the screenplay for the movie "David and Lisa" by Eleanor Perry.

The award winning motion picture has been adapted for the stage with the utmost fidelity. It retells the strange, appealing and utterly fascinating story of two mentally disturbed adolescents: David, the only son of wealthy parents who is tortured by his mania against being touched, and Lisa, the waif with a split personality. One of her selves will speak only in childish rhymes and insists on being spoken to in the same manner. The play follows their exhilarating progress and heartrending defeats during one term at Berkeley School for the Emotionally Disabled (yes, Berkley!), where they have come under the sympathetic guidance of psychiatrist Alan Swinford and his staff. Fellow students include Carlos, the street urchin; the over romantic Kate and stout Sandra, among others. Laughter, heart break and suspense distinguish this authentic and well told story.

John Hopkins, Berkley School District Drama Coordinator and David and Lisa Director said, “Our purpose for doing such an important play is to raise awareness about mental health issues and acceptance of those who suffer from these issues. Being a teen is hard enough, but being a teen struggling with mental health issues can be devastating. Through this play, we've tried to eliminate the use of terms that perpetuate the stigma attached to mental health issues such as "retard," "crazy," "screwed up." We've tried to really push the fact that emotional issues affect every one of us. We all know, love or ARE someone suffering from demons we can't take care of without help.”

It is the drama club's sincere hope that by performing David and Lisa they encourage anyone who may be suffering to reach out for help and anyone who can help to step up and do more.

FEATURE CAST: 

Senior, Aaron Cohen as David Clemens

Senior, Claire Hayostek as Lisa Brandt

Senior, Jake Vincent as Dr. Alan Swinford

Senior, Isabelle Wroblewski as Mrs. Clemens

Other students at the Berkley school are: 

Carlos - Griffin Palmer, Freshman

Josette - Lilly Morrison, Senior

Simon - Will Shulak, Freshman

Sandra - Brianna Louser, Senior

Robert - Andrew McIntire, Sophomore

Kate - Maddie Sabbath, Sophomore

Other adult characters in the show are: 

Lisa's therapist, John - Timothy Dalian, Senior

Math teacher and house parent, Ben - Justin Rogers, Junior

Mr. Clemens (David's Father) - Ryan Hurley, Freshman

Therapist, Maureen - Taylor Tucker, Senior

Mrs. Ferris, the housekeeper - Jordan McGhee, Freshman

Secretary - Even Schoras, Junior (and foreign exchange student)

English Teacher, Barbara - Schyler Fooy, Senior

Train Station Porter - Bryce Sinclair, Sophomore

Boys in Park - Jacob Chaiken, Sophomore and Carlton Williams, Freshman

Woman - Madison DeBene, Senior

Girl - Hailee Halprin, sophomore

There is also a corp of understudies working on the show covering a variety of roles. Those understudying roles are: 

Andrew McIntire

Zachary Guerra

Jenna Apostol

Alex Morrison

Emily Bailey

Matthew Ervin

Hailee Halprin

Bryce Sinclair

Madison DeBene

Jake Carden

Zoe Mendelson

Noelle Wills

Jacob Sines

Tickets:

$10/Adult

$5/Student/Senior/Children under 12

Children under 2 Free

Buys tickets online: http://bedrama.brownpapertickets.com/ or at the door