Allemang To Star In NECC's 'Star Wars' Themed Play

A Clearwater-Orchard graduate will take the stage for Northeast Community College's next performance. 

Jake Allemang is one of several students putting the finishing touches on a Star Wars-themed play they will be performing soon.

“A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Deathstar” will be staged in the Cox Activities Center on the Northeast campus here on Thursday, May 5, Friday, May 6, and Saturday, May 7th, at 7:30 p.m. each evening. A matinee will be performed on Sunday, May 8, at 2 p.m.

The play captures the essence and comedy of the Star Wars franchise through parodies, puns and a rapid-fire pace. It is appropriate for Star Wars fans young and old.

The production is directed by Adam Peterson, Northeast’s director of theatre, and assisted by Hannah Moore,Hamburg, IA. Layne Roth, Norfolk, serves as stage manager.

“Rehearsals have gone much better than expected,” said Peterson. “A show of this nature presents multiple timing and characterization challenges, but the talented cast has really stepped up and got things done. It’s going to be a fantastic production.”

Peterson says Curt Bright, who wrote “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Deathstar” and lives in Lincoln, stopped by during rehearsal one night to offer feedback.

“It is invaluable to get a playwright into the rehearsal space, and we are grateful that Curt took the time to visit. Beyond sharing his advice, he also showed up with a van full of props and costumes for us to borrow. Curt’s word when leaving were, ‘I can see the play is in good hands.’”

Each member of the ensemble cast plays multiple characters throughout the play. Cast includes Allemang; Laurel Nelson, Norfolk; Raelynn Smith, Stanton; and Northeast alumna Marie Kubo, Norfolk. Several puppets, operated by Teresa Klafter, Norfolk, and Amanda Murphy, Wisner, will also bring the production to life.

Design and tech for the show is provided by students in Peterson’s Play Production course.

The production has also been entered in the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, where it is eligible for awards in response by a representative for the organization.

Tickets will be available at the door. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for students. Run-time is about two hours with no intermission.

T-shirts will be sold after Friday’s show, and profits from the tickets and t-shirts will help support the Northeast Players.