USC students bring story to life

Published 12:21 pm Thursday, April 7, 2016

Joy Krosschell, left, plays Myra; Konrad Hawkinson, right, plays Buzz; and Justin Dallman, center, plays Frank during a rehearsal Tuesday of United South Central’s production of “Hurricane Smith and the Garden of the Golden Monkey.”   Sam Wilmes/Albert Lea Tribune

Joy Krosschell, left, plays Myra; Konrad Hawkinson, right, plays Buzz; and Justin Dallman, center, plays Frank during a rehearsal Tuesday of United South Central’s production of “Hurricane Smith and the Garden of the Golden Monkey.” Sam Wilmes/Albert Lea Tribune

Indiana Jones spoof to be showcased at school auditorium

Student actors from United South Central will perform an Indiana Jones spoof this weekend.

The USC Players will present “Hurricane Smith and the Garden of the Golden Monkey” as its spring play.

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The play will begin at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday on the USC school stage. Advanced tickets are $6 for adults, $3.50 for senior citizens and $3 for students. Tickets at the door are $6 for adults, $5.50 for senior citizens and $5 for students.

The play will feature characters from different walks of life. Sam Wilmes/Albert Lea Tribune

The play will feature characters from different walks of life. Sam Wilmes/Albert Lea Tribune

Director Clay Miller said he is excited for the student actors to show their talents.

“It’s just been a lot of fun to work on,” Miller said.

According to a synopsis, a young writer, played by Faith Kauffmann, is looking to sell her script to a low-budget film director, played by Laddy Benes.

As she delves into the story, the play progresses.

Hurricane Smith, played by Brett Pederson, looks to find his father, also played by Pederson. All sorts of adventure ensues. Hurricane Smith comes upon an Amazon tribe and a henchman who is in cahoots with Amazon warrior leaders.

The group hides diamonds and tries to force others out through superstition.

Hurricane Smith later finds his father was killed by the group, discovers diamonds and the long-lost garden of the golden monkey, and saves an explorer’s club.

The screenwriter recaps the show, then presents it to the director. The director accepts the script because the screenwriter told him the only way he could get the script of a separate idea he was interested in from another line in the play was if he accepted the script.

Laddy Benes plays Eddie Van Diamond and Faith Kauffmann plays Gloria Daily and is a student director in United South Central’s production of “Hurricane Smith and the Garden of the Golden Monkey.” - Sam Wilmes/Albert Lea Tribune

Laddy Benes plays Eddie Van Diamond and Faith Kauffmann plays Gloria Daily and is a student director in United South Central’s production of “Hurricane Smith and the Garden of the Golden Monkey.” – Sam Wilmes/Albert Lea Tribune

Cast and crew

Buzz, Native One and Mysterious Foreigner: Konrad Hawkinson

Myra, Cobra Guard 1 and Cobra Warrior: Joy Krosschell

Eddie Von Diamond: Laddy Benes

Frank and Native Two: Justin Dallman

Cobra Woman: Kalei Corey

Dora and Cobra Warrior: Sapphire Navarro

Camera Person: Emma Beyer

Gloria Daily and student director: Faith Kauffmann

Hurricane Smith: Brett Pederson

Miss Calcutta: Samantha Chaffee

Dr. Londonbridge: Bobby Eckwright

Native Three: Brice Bias

Native Four: Lukas Schimek

Billy: Brady Berg

Hildegarde: Isabel Schindler

Linda Zest: Claire Bias

Milicent Van Upp: Hope Hendrickson

Gutman: Steve Rath

Java-Java: Danielle Johansen

Cobra Guard 2 and Cobra Warrior: Taylor Jacobsen

J. Princess and student director: McKayla Mithun

Old Woman: Lilly Gonsalez

Cobra Warriors: Amber Hassing, Cherish Streit, Tatum Widen-Fuller

Student directors: McKayla Mithun

Stage manager: Danielle Johansen

Lights: Cam Nasinec and Aaron Nasinec

Sound: Kelly Niebuhr and Maddie Hart

About Sam Wilmes

Sam Wilmes covers crime, courts and government for the Albert Lea Tribune.

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