MOV Junior Players present ‘Dr. Evil and the Basket of Kittens’
MOV Junior Players present comedic tale
MARIETTA — A villainous mastermind’s plans for world domination face an unlikely obstacle in the Mid-Ohio Valley Junior Players’ production of “Dr. Evil and the Basket of Kittens.”
The play, by Brian D. Taylor, will be presented at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with a 3 p.m. Sunday matinee, at Mid-Ohio Valley Players Theater, 229 Putnam St., Marietta. The show is produced through special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service Inc. and is under the direction of Kay Doak. This show is sponsored by The Original Pizza Place.
The story tells of Dr. Evil’s invention of a “thermal ray” in order to take over the world, but as her plans are foiled by a litter of sweet little kittens, one has to wonder if she is really as evil as she claims. We meet her family, her loyal assistant and her mummy, the werehyenas from next door and other members of the Council of Evil. Author Mary Shelley and Dr. Frankenstein serve as narrators.
Rhyan Sebring describes her character of Dr. Evil as an “evil genius, ‘mama’s boy’ who just wants to succeed in life.”
Sebring is in her final year with Junior Players.
“They extended the age to 17 this year but will go back to 16 next year so I will be moving on,” she said.
Junior Players first started in 1981 under former director Marlene Somerville and has provided a summer theater experience for young people ever since. This is the first year of doing a straight play rather than a musical.
Bridget Crock, who plays Dr. Evil’s assistant Shirley, is a veteran Junior and Youth Player. She says rehearsing in masks has been a challenge, but she looks forward to doing even more theater.
“I watch musicals, and it has inspired me to do a lot more plays,” Crock said.
Lillian Phelps, who takes on the dual roles of Mummy and Mother, said there is a lot to love about the show.
“I like the fact that it’s really funny,” she said. “There’s so many different personalities put together to just make it hilarious.”
Tickets can be purchased for $10 each online at midohiovalleyplayers.org or at the box office one hour prior to performances.
Cast:
Mary Shelley — Addison Parks
Dr. Frankenstein — Christian Marshall
Frank Jr./Weather Reporter — Josh McClung
Shirley — Bridget Crock
Inferna — Angela Shrader (Inferna was originally portrayed by Rachel McClung)
Margo — Clare Walker
Unna Were — Caleb McClung
Sylvia Were/Child — Mallory Westfall
Dr. Evil — Rhyan Sebring
Countess Gothma — Keely Kleintop
Pierce — Anna Crock
Mummy/Mother — Lily Phelps
Annie Were — Josephine Myers
Lord Warhammer — Tyson Kirk
Archduchess Arsenica — Brittany Ward
Prince Vladi — Alex Marshall
Momma Tuppa Were — Savannah Flanagan