Bitney Springs brings 'Adaptation' to the stage

Bitney Springs High School Theatre Department is putting on "Adaptation." This fast-moving, one-act play by Elaine May is a contest, played like Parcheesi, in which the contestant advances or is sent back through the "seven ages of man." The author has written a brilliantly incisive parody of life that creates a picture of human kind from birth until death, with all of its madness, with all of its familiarity and with all of its nonsense.

With an imaginative set created by teacher Michael Zysk's art students, the play is directed by drama teacher Maggie McKaig and performed by Bitney Springs' advanced drama students Jai Anderson, Sarah Lachner, Noelani Mowery, Cody Nash and Aden Rogerson. Chloe Weight is stage manager as well as assistant director. The five actors play more than 40 different characters.

This is McKaig's fourth year of teaching at Bitney Springs. Previous productions include Tom Stoppard's "Arcadia," Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest," and an adaptation of Bram Stoker's "Dracula."

An added bonus at the beginning of each performance will be a short concert presented by Bitney Springs High School music students. The program includes selections covering blues, rock, boogie woogie and ragtime styles performed on guitar, piano and vocals. Musicians include Chris Frederking, Jed Gardner, Alex Glaspie, Koorisa Lowry, Max Rapp, Aden Rogerson and Rob Spencer. Music teacher Missy Patton will be accompanying the musicians.

Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Off Center Theatre in Grass Valley, 315 Richardson St. (Behind the Center for the Arts) on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, Jan. 20, 21 and 22.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students, and are available at the door.