Orefield students performing ‘My Two-Tailed Halloween Cat’
By Susan Bryant
Orefield Middle School theater students will perform “My Two-Tailed Halloween Cat” Oct. 28 and 30 in the school’s auditorium.
Written by Ric Averill, the play tells the story of Sydney, a bright and tough girl who lives with her divorced father.
Sydney soon draws the unwanted attention of girls who bully her when she tells a scientist visiting her school that her cat has two tails.
The scientist, Dr. Entwell, is offering the prize of a parrot for the greatest “animal oddity.”
Angie Zaiter, who plays Sydney Heath, and Meadow Bracalante, who plays Kerrigan Nortan, commented on their roles.
Zaiter said Sydney is a football-loving, imaginative girl.
“She knows what she wants, and she will do whatever is necessary to get it ... unless that means giving away her beloved cat, Hedwig,” Zaiter said.
“I love playing Sydney because her personality strikes me as outgoing and a little hardheaded, kind of reminding me of myself.
“I love being able to play with her lines, and I find the way she addresses people, and cats, hilarious.”
Zaiter said the one thing she likes about being part of the show is the humor in the writing.
“It really is hard not to laugh while rehearsing,” Zaiter said. “I also really enjoy the cast, director, and just the fun, positive environment in general.”
Bracalante said Kerrigan is a tiny tyrant.
“She’s this fifth-grader who, along with her girl gang, reigns over the rest of the elementary school,” Bracalante said. “She’s a triple threat - rude, arrogant and sassy.”
She said playing Kerrigan allows for so much personality.
“Getting my ‘Regina George’ on is always great after a long day at school, and it’s almost therapeutic in a strange way,” Bracalante stated. “It’s such a fun part to portray and I don’t think I’d have a better time with any other part.”
Anthony Cacioppo-Fisher commented on his character, William, the-witch-you-could-have-everything-you-want-witch.
“William is a comic relief character who is funny, enthusiastic and mysterious all at the same time,” Cacippo-Fisher said. “I find playing William is fun because I get to do fun accents as well as be a very energetic character.”
Gavin Sachse, who plays Richard Heath, Sydney’s father, and Josh Dimler, who plays Dr. Entwell, also commented on their roles.
“Richard Heath struggles to find time to pay attention to Sydney because he’s always busy with work,” Sachse said. “He is a hard worker and loves his daughter and tries his best to support her and the things she does.”
Sachse said he undergoes a big character change playing Heath.
“At the beginning of the story, he pays less attention to Sydney, and more attention to his work,” Sachse stated.
“At the end, he learns he should pay more attention to her.”
Dimler said Dr. Entwell is a bit strange to describe.
“I like to personally describe him as a bit of Bill Nye the science guy, and just a hint of mad scientist in him,” Dimler stated. “He’s a very interesting character who is passionate about science, and I think he’s going to be very entertaining when he’s on stage.”
Dimler said he can relate to Dr. Entwell in many ways.
“I think the biggest one is the over-dramatic randomness he causes,” Dimler said. “It always makes me smile and I’m very excited to be him in the play.
“Everyone who is a part of the show is working hard, and the show will be great and entertaining.”
Madelynn Wascura plays Mrs. Shellhorn.
“Mrs. Shellhorn is the fourth-grade teacher of Sydney and the other fourth graders,” Wascura said. “She arranges to meet with a scientist, Dr. Entwell, for a Halloween program.”
Wascura said she likes how her character Mrs. Shellhorn is in charge of all the fourth graders, how she has a bond with Sydney, and her companionship with Dr. Entwell.
“I like that this show is a short and sweet Halloween play that is happening on Halloween weekend,” Wascura stated. “I would just like to say thank you to Miss Sniezek and Mr. Joella.”
This 50-minute play is being directed and choreographed by Sydney Sniezek and Erich Joella.
Sniezek explained why she chose this play.
“This play jumped out at me because our production was set to take place over Halloween weekend and I wanted the show to be festive to the holiday,” she stated. “But once I started reading it, it is a quirky but fun play that discusses honesty and bullying in a fun and entertaining way. It also gives me a chance to include as many students as I can with its flexible casting.”
“My Two-Tailed Halloween Cat” performances are 7 p.m. Oct. 28 and at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Oct. 30 in the middle school auditorium.
Tickets, which are $7, general seating, can be purchased the week of the production.
Masks will be required for all in attendance.
Families in attendance are encouraged to celebrate the Halloween season with the cast by dressing for the occasion in family-friendly no full-face covering costumes.