Shell out a few bucks for 'Ransom of Red Chief'
The Daily Inter Lake
Johnny Dorset was the town brat. He liked to be called Red Chief.
A couple schemers, ignorant of his reputation, were sure he would be worth a few bucks in ransom money. Little did they know what they had gotten themselves into by kidnapping Red Chief, until long after it was too late.
Come see how the hilarious tale unfolds as Whitefish Central School seventh- and eighth-graders present "The Ransom of Red Chief" on Thursday and Friday nights. Playwright Anne Coulter Marten targets all audiences with her script, based on the popular children's short story by O. Henry.
It's the story of Sam Blake (played by Tanner Hosek) and Bill Driscoll (Brennan Cain) who make the mistake of kidnapping Johnny Dorset (Jack Hyer).
Sam and Bill are oblivious to reactions of Johnny's uncle, Ebenezer Dorset (David Teeples), and his fuddy-duddy housekeeper, Mrs. Rudge (Katie McGunagle). To them, Johnny's absence is good riddance.
Townspeople Mrs. Miller (Shannon Holmes) and her daughter Mary Alice (Christina Everett) also welcome his absence and the peace it brings to town.
Meanwhile, up in the mountains, Johnny's harassment of poor Bill is relentless. His pranks begin to wear on Bill and Sam as they scheme to collect ransom money.
Immune to it all, flirtatious bird-watchers Miss Oliver and Miss Russell (Becca Strellnauer and Erin Fonseca) make sure Constable Jones (Dietrich Perchy) keeps law in the small town. But they never discuss Johnny's disappearance as their attention is drawn to the cast of the yellow-bellied sapsucker.
The hapless kidnappers end up wondering whether this ransom were a good idea, after all.
On hand to witness the return of Johnny is Ebenezer's sister, Jane Chandler (Brooke Campbell), and her daughters, Abigail (Carly Raper), Ellie (Lindsey Jones) and Susan (Jackie Cassidy).
It all wraps up with Johnny finding himself with a new family, and Bill and Sam searching for their next scheme.
Kelliann Blackburn and Gayle Graf direct the production, which is open to the public.
The night of comedy and frivolity begins at 7 p.m. both days in the Central School auditorium. Tickets cost $2 for adults, and $1 for students and senior citizens.