Baker High presents ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’

Published 3:00 am Monday, January 20, 2025

BAKER CITY — If anything can go wrong, it will.

And there might be a murder thrown in for good measure.

“Our third murder mystery — murder is very popular in the drama department,” Jesse Taub, theater advisor, said with a laugh.

The Baker High School drama department will present “The Play That Goes Wrong” over two weekends: Jan. 30 and Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. and Feb. 2 at 3 p.m., and Feb. 7-8 (7 p.m. Friday, and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday). All are in the BHS auditorium, 2500 E St.

Admission is $7 for adults, $3 for seniors/students, and free for kids.

“The Play That Goes Wrong” debuted in London in 2012 where it won best new comedy.

“It’s so new, very trendy in the theater world right now,” Taub said. “It’s hilarious. Definitely slapstick comedy.”

The plot follows a drama society that is performing “The Murder at Haversham Manor.”

But the show is rife with disasters.

“It’s a play within a play,” Taub said.

And the actors — the ones performing the “Haversham” play, not the actual BHS students — keep messing up.

“They’re terrible but they think they’re really good,” Taub said of the play’s characters.

The show has two casts and six stagehands from the BHS drama class of 34 students, plus others who couldn’t fit the class into their schedule. The students rehearse both during class and after school.

“The Play That Goes Wrong” has two acts and two scenes.

“Something’s always happening,” Taub said.

“You’re going to have a good time,” said Jillian Poe, who plays Annie.

The gold cast features Justin Wolfe, Paige Wolfe, Ruby Warner, Rosemary Clausel, Jillian Poe, Eowyn Smith, Michael Endersby and Marquesa Peterson. The purple cast is Brett Hobson, Taylor Lee, Emese Marvin, Serena Robinson, Daisy Burns, Adelaid Walden, Stella Carlson, Rogue Groth and Brennan Gibbons.

Stagehands are Kate Norton, Riley Schuette, Nyala Brodie, Olive Carlson, Melissa Reynolds and Zoe Griffin.

Taub said proceeds from the admission will help offset the cost of the play which, due to its popularity, will be around $2,000 with rights, set and costumes.

BHS presents ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’

Jan. 30: 7 p.m.

Feb. 1: 7 p.m.

Feb. 2: 3 p.m.

Feb. 7: 7 p.m.

Feb. 8: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Admission: $7 adults, $3 seniors/students

Location: Baker High School auditorium, 2500 E St.

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