A little laughter. A few tears. And plenty of heart. Calvary Christian School’s spring play, Cheaper by the Dozen, will transport its audience back 100 years to join in the adventures of the Gilbreth family of 1923.
You’ll have three chances to see the production at Union Station in Bellefontaine—Friday, March 25 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, March 26 at 2 or 7 p.m. The show is directed by Tammy Brewer, who teaches some fifth-grade classes along with middle and high school Spanish at CCS.
“I chose this play because I’ve directed it before,” she said with a laugh. “It’s one I’m very familiar with.”
Based on the book by the same name, Cheaper by the Dozen tells the story of Frank and Lillian Gilbreth and their 12 children. The original account was written by two of those children, Frank, Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey. Calvary’s cast consists of 16 students and one canine—a border collie puppy named Dougal as Dumb Dog, the pet the Gilbreth’s purchase for $5.
An efficiency expert, Frank Gilbreth, Sr. leads his children with humor but also keeps things highly regimented, from charting household tasks to demonstrations on how to bathe most efficiently. And all is well until Dad’s rules come out at school, embarrassing the oldest daughter, Anne, who decides it’s time for things to change.
Ninth-grader Emily Moran, who’s participating in her first production as a new CCS student, has the added challenge of playing the youngest Gilbreth—6-year-old Jackie. “I like watching the actor’s expressions and seeing how they interact with each other,” she said. “The play is well-written and well-structured.”
Zeke Reynolds, who took on the role of Dad, had a simpler response: hanging out with friends. “I wouldn’t look like this if I wasn’t enjoying something,” he said, indicating his blue suit and gray-dyed hair.
“It’s a really fun show with great people,” senior Erin Young said. “I’m glad I get to spend my last semester at CCS with such a fun cast.”
Instead of tickets, the school is asking for donations at the door.
CAST LIST:
Dad – Zeke Reynolds
Mother – Chloe Prall
Anne – Brooklyn Horner
Ernestine – Erin Young
Martha – Abigail Hermiller
Frank – Daniel Young
Bill – Nehemiah Dillon
Fred – Reid Varner
Dan – Kari Gantz
Lillian – Lili Printz
Jackie – Emily Moran
Mrs. Fitzgerald – Natalie Wish
Doc Burton – Jake Palmer
Miss Brill – Brianna Thomsen
Joe Scales – Tanner Hurley
Larry – Jeremiah Hermiller