It’s that time of the year again when TAG!, the drama group here at East Juniata High School is presenting their Junior Class Play. This year they will be presenting “Deadly Earnest”, a three act comedy by Donald Payton directed by Penny Ritzman. Penny has been working hard assisting the whole cast and making sure that they are pushing hard enough to reach their fullest potentials. Alongside of her helping out, is her Student Director Rebecca Book. Together they have been presiding over practices and critiquing to ensure a fantastic performance.

The play is about a guy named Henry who’s life was terrible; his mom kicked him out of the house, his girlfriend left, and his boss fired him. He was beginning to lose all hope for his life, only having a total of seventeen eighty-three and then he met a guy named Mr. Bumpus. He had told Henry that he knew a guy named Ernest that would exterminate him for seventeen eighty-three, so he agreed. After his meeting with Mr. Bumpus, just like that his life rapidly changed and started getting better; his mom begged him not to leave, his girlfriend took him back, and his boss rehired him plus gave him a raise. Henry’s life was going good until he remembered that there was a guy coming after him for his life. Throughout the story, Henry has new people enter his life with ironic names such as; an old maid named Ernestine, his sister’s boyfriend named Ernie, a doctor named Dr. Ernest, and the Grim Reaper. He had started going crazy until Mr. Bumpus revealed his lie that there actually wasn’t anyone coming to get him but by then he had told his friend Sleepy to exterminate them both. In order to find out the rest, come to the production on November 9th and 10th.

The cast has been having a lot of fun preparing and it has really started to come along. The juniors staring in their production this year includes; the lead role, Robert Ferry as Henry Gilcrest, Emma Seaman as Aunt Ethel, Margaret Edwards as Pumpkin, Maria Rickenbaugh as Aunt Stella, MiKaylee Leister as Clarissa, and Westin Kantz as Ernie. Filling in the rest of the roles consist of Seniors, Sophomores, and Freshmen including; Rebecca Book, Emily Kuhn, Camila Groce, Riley French, Isaac Austin, Shaun Neil, Nicholas Pillot, Noah Seaman, Isabella Hund, and Isabella Malacou. The entire cast has been working long hours for weeks and are coming up on dress rehearsal in no time. The crew will soon be brought in to learn the lights, spotlight, sound, curtains, and set moving cues. Along with the crew coming in, there have been many people working on building the set. Mr. Roush is beginning to bring things together for what needs to be done for the set.

Talking to some of the cast, I can conclude that they have always enjoyed their time in TAG! and see the organization as a family. Nicholas Pillot, a senior in TAG! has said “TAG is like a second home to me, where I can have fun and hang out with awesome friends and make awesome productions.” Others see it as a place where they learn many new things throughout their experience. Quoted by the Student Director Rebecca Book, “It’s more than just going on stage and acting in costumes. It’s putting yourself out there, building new friendships, creating memories that last a lifetime, gaining experience in art, music, and more.” Many members of TAG! have seen it as the best experience that they have ever had and really encourage new members because it is something that you don’t want to miss out on. Even if you don’t act it’s still a great place for you because there are many other opportunities that you can do. For example, Chloe Fortenbaugh a senior has done the lights for every production that she has been in since seventh grade, because she didn’t feel that acting was for her. She has said, “Back stage is the life for me. If you are ever debating whether you should join TAG! or not, I highly advise that you do. TAG! is so much fun to be a part of. It’s like a second family, except we are pretty dysfunctional. But I kind of think that’s what brings us so close together.” Joining TAG! is a fantastic organization for everyone or anyone to get involved in.

In conclusion, TAG! has been working really hard for the past couple of weeks to put their talents together and present an unforgettable play. It is for sure not a production that you are going to want to miss out on. It’s mysterious, a little romantic, and hilarious. The production suits any age group and the audience will receive a great treat. Also, if watching the productions aren’t enough, TAG! is always welcoming new members to become part of the family.