Finally!

            Actors and actresses will again tread the boards of the Upper Perkiomen High School auditorum next week - for the first time in two years - performing short plays.

The opening minutes of the presentation "The One-Act- Play That Goes Wrong" starts with the discovery of the  body of Charles Haversham, played by Gunnar Zaengle, At left is his brother Cecil, played by Bryce Shanafelt,  and Thomas Commeymore, played by Nate Bateman.

           Beginning with the traditional Gold Card Show on Wednesday, March 9, and running through Sunday March 13, the high school thespians will present three one-act comedies.

            "Oh Look a Kitten" focuses on a high school student in a race with time to finish a paper, but, first, she has to overcome the distractions of the internet.

            In "Oh What a Tangled Web" an impulsive lie results in comedic consequences.

            The longer presentation, "The One-Act Play That Goes Wrong," is a farce that treats the audience to a murder mystery where the characters are "accident-prone thespians [who] battle against all odds to make it through to their final curtain call, with hilarious consequences."

            Why three plays instead of the traditional musical? In a word, COVID.

            "The decision to do an event of one-acts came from COVID concerns," explained veteran director Alicia Austin, a high school English teacher. "Worried we would have to shut down a costly production and lose money again, we decided to create cast pods.

            "If one group needed to quarantine, the others could still rehearse and perform."

The presentation of "The One-Act Play That Goes Wrong" features off-stage characters and state cres mak- ing appearances in the background scenes as things go wrong.

            Two years ago, when COVID was first creating havoc, the club was forced to shut down its production of "The Addams Family."

            Each of this year's one-act plays will have almost-distinct casts with only three members of the company appearing in more than one play.

            "The company as a whole consists of some experienced actors as well as some who are trying theater for the first time," Austin said. "The one-act format allowed a significant number of actors to have more substantial roles which is wonderful for such a young company."

            Rehearsals and preparation have presented logistical problems for the cast and crew. The shorter plays, each about a half-hour long were rehearsed twice a week while the longer "The One-Act Play That Goes Wrong" was practiced three times a week.

            "It has been challenging navigating everyone's schedules," Austin said.

            Staging, set design, props, costumes and sound for three unrelated shows also created issues.

            "We needed creative solutions since supplies are difficult to get and expensive,"

Character Thomas Colleymore, in the "One-Act Play That Goes Wrong," played by Nate Bauman, tries to hold the set together while the butler Perkins, played by  Atreyu Prizer gives him a pencil and paper.

said Austin, who is assisted by husband Matt and fellow teacher Colby Phillips. "Despite setbacks, we have found creative ways to produce a charming set."

            And, of course, the spike in COVID cases and other obstacles necessitated even more patience.

            "We've dealt with illness, quarantines, masking, social distancing, supply chain issues, ice storms, evacuations due to pool chemicals, snowstorm, as well as all the normal acting issues of students not knowing how to walk, stand, hold hands, hug, or go through doors," Austin said.

            Austin had high praise for her cast, which numbers about 30 overall, and for her stage crew. Auditions were held in December and intense rehearsals began in January.

            "The students' dedication has created an environment of energy and hard work in every rehearsal whether the whole cast was there or not," Austin noted.

            The Gold Card Show, for senior citizens, begins at 1 p.m. next Wednesday. The curtain rises at 7 p.m. for the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday performances on March 10, 11, 12, and there will be a 2 p.m. show on Sunday, March 13.

            Tickets can be purchased in advance up to March 9 at 24782.recitalticketing.com. Masks are optional but "highly recommended."