PREVIEW: Scarsdale High School Presents 'Marcus is Walking'

Justine Gelfman and Clint Frehill, co-directors of Scarsdale High School's production of "Marcus is Walking," only recently learned how to drive. But despite being notices behind the wheel, the two seem to have their production of Joan Ackerman's play, a series of 11 vignettes taking place in cars, in cruise control. 

"Directing 'Marcus is Walking' has been a wonderful and enlightening experience," said Gelfman, a 17-year-old senior who plans to study theater at Northwestern University next fall. "As a first time director, I was not aware of the amount of time and organization it takes to direct a production. I truly have a new appreciation for [the effort it takes]." 

"Marcus is Walking" is a series of snapshots chronicling road scenes that vacillate between ironic comedy (a group of teenage girls ignore their friend's academic plight as they mourn a rodent roadkill victim, failing to quiz their stressed classmate on Moby Dick) and poignant emotional breakthroughs (an alcoholic shows kindness toward a homeless woman living in his car). 

"We decided on this play because of the writing," Gelfman said. "It is wonderfully written, with vibrant characters who are vulnerable, genuine and just really funny. Clint and I wanted a mix of comedy and drama and fortunately, 'Marcus is Walking' has a delicate balance of both." 

Gelfman and Frehill, both first-time directors, kickstarted the production into high gear upon returning back to SHS's halls following holiday break. The two had a mere six weeks to organize a troupe of actors, build cast connections and fine-tune the performance before opening night. 

"All in all, the play is coming together better than I thought!" Frehill, 17, said. "Not in the sense that my expectations weren't high. But I was thoroughly impressed with the accumulative work of new drama club actors, as well as the seasoned veterans, in order to create a harmony of a show, in which each scene compliments the next as well as the one before it."

Together, Gelfman and Frehill, along with faculty adviser Adrienne Meyer, technical director Steve Bogardus and Gelfman's grandmother, a former children's theater director who helped her put together a traditional director's script, worked tirelessly until the myriad elements of "Marcus is Walking" gelled and scenes became stage-worthy. But they couldn't have done it without the actors.

"Once we delved into rehearsal, it was a joy to work with our cast," Gelfman said. "They are enthusiastic and focused individuals who have a real love for their craft."

The cast includes the following SHS students:

Actors:

Alex Altieri, Lorna Begg, Doug Berman, Preston Brehm, Rebecca Buchwald, Sarah Coffey, Chris D’Silva, Gavin Elwes, Autumn Hamra, Sophie Laruelle, Bryant Lo, Sophie Nobler, Michelle Ostroff, Bianca Rogoff, Julia Rutkovsky, Cara Scharf, Will Segal, and Taylor Yu.

Assistant Directors:

Sunny Feinstein and Josh Ben-Ami. 

Student Producer:

Rebecca Primoff

Performances will take place on Friday, Jan. 20 and Saturday, Jan. 21 at 7:30 p.m. at the Scarsdale High School auditorium. Tickets are $10 for general admission and are available through the Drama Club and at the door on the night of the performance.