Rochester High School will present its fall play, an adaptation of “Rebecca,” Nov. 22 and 23.
"Rebecca" is a bestselling book by Daphne du Maurier that has never gone out of print since its initial publication in 1938. Alfred Hitchock adapted the book into a romantic psychological thriller film in 1940.
“This is a story that demonstrates what could have been the result for Cinderella, a shy, sheltered, uneducated young woman after marrying the prince and expected to live in his world with no preparation,” Elizabeth West, wife of Rochester High School theater teacher Doug West and a longtime volunteer with the school’s theater programs, said of the play.
The story follows a young woman, who is unnamed in both the book and the Hitchock film but is named Mary in the Rochester High School production, as she falls in love with and marries wealthy widower Maxim de Winter and returns with him to his estate, Manderley.
“Mary is not ready to be the mistress of the mansion, and she is totally unprepared to deal with the memories of the late Rebecca de Winter, Maxim's first wife who has been dead a year,” West said. “Head housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers, was Rebecca's personal maid and seems to worship her former mistress and resents the new Mrs. de Winter to the point of trying to sabotage Mary at every opportunity. Mrs. Danvers almost succeeds when the shipwreck of Rebecca's sailboat is discovered and sends the residence of Manderley down a path of potential disaster as details about Rebecca are revealed.”
While the original “Rebecca” includes several themes that the Wests considered unsuitable for a high school cast, such as suicide, those elements have been removed from the Rochester High School adaptation, Doug West said.
“This isn’t a typically seen show, because it started out as a book, so I’m excited to see how it follows through in play form,” said Rochester High School junior Hadley Hughes, who plays Mrs. Danvers. “Honestly I’m excited to see how everyone develops their own characters. Even the very small parts just have such personality to them, and I just always love seeing how people bring that out.”
“Rebecca” will be performed at Rochester High School, located at 19800 Carper Road Southwest at 7 p.m. on Nov. 22 and 23. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for military members and senior citizens, and $8 for students. Tickets can only be purchased at the door.
Cast list
Mary: Maya Ashlee
Maxim de Winter: Corey Parris
Mrs. Danvers: Hadley Hughes
Frank Crawley: Sam Henry
Beatrice Lacy: Arwen Schoolcraft
Giles Lacy: Matthew Deel
Fritz: Zane Sanford
Alice: Violet Wolfe
Mrs. van Hopper/Ball Guest/Inquest Gallery/Maid: Scarlett Minich
Mrs. Montgomery/Ball Guest/Inquest Gallery/Maid: Coreyna Parris
Garcon/Ball Guest/Cameraman/Maid: Anmaree Langley
Granny/Monte Carlo/Ball Guest/Inquest Gallery: Dai Balcorta
Constable Stockwell/Monte Carlo/Ball Guest: Xander Hagquist
Coroner/Monte Carlo/Ball Guest/Maid: Sharon Walker
Dr. Baker/Monte Carlo/Ball Guest: Auna Rayburn
Diver /Mrs. McNabb/Monte Carlo/Ball Guest: Jay Longmire
Diver/Monte Carlo /Inquest Gallery/Butler: Malik Whearty
Reporter/Monte Carlo/Ball Guest/Maid: Lily Caron
Reporter/Monte Carlo/Ball Guest/Butler: Harley Coverdale
Crew list
Lights & Sound: Dayton Gamez
Portrait Painting: Day Balcorta
Hair & Makeup: Evergreen Beauty College
Set Construction: Stage Tech Class, Shawn and Meagan Ashlee, Heather Harris
