Iconic 1960s TV show comes to the stage

Cedar Grove-Belgium High School junior Jonah Heisler has worked so hard at memorizing his lines for the school play that he can recite them in his sleep.

He actually does.

“I sleep talk lines,” he said.

“How do you know that?” castmate Ben Fleuchaus asked.

“My parents told me,” Heisler said.

The two are part of a cast and crew of about 40 people who will perform “Get Smart” Friday and Saturday.

While students hadn’t seen the show before, they have caught clips of it online.

Fleuchaus plays the villain and bases his character on Dr. Evil from the “Austin Powers” series of movies.

Allison Wieberdink said she likes putting “your own little spin” on characters.

Wesley Reichle, who plays Maxwell Smart, said he was happy to finally play a cool character like a spy after playing silly ones. Then he read the script and realized he would again be portraying a goofy guy.

“I always play a character that’s kind of a fool,” he said.

His castmates said Reichle plays the role well and that directors choose parts that fit students’ personalities.

Co-director Mary Beth Desens said this year it was neat to see seniors step into bigger roles than expected. Alyssa Lybek was originally supposed to work backstage but was moved to an acting role for the first time. “Scary” is how she described it.

While the actors stick to their lines, they also ad lib some scenes and include what have become longtime traditions.

“Every year we have a joke about Oostburg and Tina Stauber,” Natalie Davies said.

Actors said it has happened so long that Stauber, a high school science teacher, would be offended if she wasn’t included.

Stauber, co-director Dave Claerbaut said, has a “hard exterior” but a “soft interior.”

The students get tired of reciting the same funny scenes over and over, but Olivia Robertson said the audience will be seeing them for the first time.

“It’s worth it when the audience laughs,” Wieberdink said.

Davies mentioned another attractive element to being involved in theater.

“The play attracts different groups of people you wouldn’t hang out with outside of school,” she said.

Rookie Joe Wilsnack said he joined the play after watching last year’s performance.

Getting everyone together has been a challenge, since many students are involved in other activities, but Fleuchaus said when the curtain rises it’s somehow “the best performance.”

“Get Smart” will be performed at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $5 at the door.

On Friday, ice cream sundaes, hot drinks and treats will be available for purchase from the sophomore class.