With its small cast of five teenagers, the production of “Complete and Total” hopes to spread awareness to the heroin epidemic affecting local communities.
Written by local playwright Greg Vovos, the Geauga Lyric Theater Guild will present the play Nov. 12 for free at 7 p.m. at Geauga Theater. It will be shown again on Nov. 16 at Kent State’s Geauga campus, and to any other organization willing to house the performance.
Director Miloro-Hansen says the cast, made up of 15- to 18-year-olds, have a lot of discussions have been about what they have seen in their own lives.
“They are really focused on it,” Miloro-Hansen said. “They have been very open about sharing.”
The story revolves around a high school student, Eric, (played by Jeremy Bilek and Jonathan Ward) and his sister, Madison, (Sophie Guerinot), who are both applying to Harvard College with a bright future.
Eric is shy. When he goes to a party, he is encouraged by some new friends (Hunter Sarbach, Kaia Bulkoski) to smoke marijuana, and Eric begins to experiment with drugs more and more.
When his sister becomes suspicious of his behavior, their relationship deteriorates.
The show is narrated by The Mind (Ward), which is the part of Eric’s brain that still works normally as he devolves into addiction.
“It shows the internal struggle,” Miloro-Hansen said, “which I think is really neat. It shows within Eric what to do and what not to do. You get his internal monologue.”
One of the important aspects of the Geauga Lyric Theater is its commitment to civic engagement, said Executive Director Erika Hansen.
“We are committed to producing entertaining theater, which is important, but also theater that shines a light on important issues,” she said. “This is in that spirit.”
Art can be an important tool to teach kids about drugs, Hansen said, as opposed to a power point presentation. “Theater is that hook,” she said.
The show on Nov. 12, which is free at the Geauga Theater, will be followed by a talk-back/question and answer period by several local professionals, according to a news release.
“The hope here is that we teach (kids) what do to do next,” Miloro-Hansen said. “The main hope is prevention, but also to know how to approach someone who is using. How to better handle that situation.”
The Lyric Theater hopes the play will continue into other casts and into other school years.
“Complete and Total” will be offered to the public free of admission thanks to these sponsors: Walmart Foundation, New Vision at University Hospitals Medical Center and Chardon Community Action Team.
To book “Complete and Total” for your school or youth organization, please contact educationoutreach@geaugatheater.org. Geauga Lyric Theater is located on the Chardon Square, 101 Water Street. For more information about productions and educations, see our website at www.geaugatheater.org.
