EPHS Drama presents ‘Postmortem,’ April 25-27

Eden Prairie High School Drama will present its Spring Showcase this week, with a performance of “Postmortem” by Ken Ludwig.

The play is a fictional comic thriller centered on a real-life historical figure: William Gillette, an actor world-renowned for his 30-year portrayal of Sherlock Holmes. During a wild weekend at his country estate, someone is trying to murder Gillette. He suspects it is one of his guests, and Gillette plans to solve the case himself.  

Shows will be at the EPHS Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 25, Friday, April 26, and Saturday, April 27. Tickets are $5 for students and seniors, and $7 for adults. They can be purchased at this link. School staff can get two complimentary tickets by showing their work ID at the door.

The show’s director is Nancy Saunders, a seasoned actor and director who has worked in Minnesota theater, off-Broadway in New York City, and many other arts communities. Saunders also directed “Hay Fever” at EPHS two years ago.

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Saunders said audiences can expect to “be entertained with a little bit of comedy and romance, but there’s a little bit of spookiness, too. It’s romantic, and fun, and I hope a little bit unexpected.”

Senior Elizabeth Stephan, who plays Louise Parradine, said the cast and crew have had a great time creating the show.

“Some of the fun aspects of this performance is the technicality of it,” Stephan said. “There is a lot of stunt work, but it’s a lot of fun to do. I think the audience will enjoy the mystery and thriller sections of the performance.” 

This will be the final high school show for many of the cast, including Stephan, who has been a longtime staple of EPHS’ performing arts community.

“Since this is my last play at the high school, it’s definitely bittersweet,” she said. “I have met so many amazing people, and I’ve felt like I really belong here, so it’s sad to know it’s coming to an end. This is my 19th show at the high school. It’s really nice being able to see my growth from my first play.”

Next year, Stephan plans to attend the University of Colorado Boulder. She’ll be studying civil engineering rather than acting, but she said, “The skills I learned from drama will carry with me the rest of my life.”

Members of the “Postmortem” student cast, crew, and adult staff are:

Cast

Zak Bhatti as Bobby Carlyle
Aiden Gordy as William Gillette
Divine Sengthongdeng as May Dison
Elizabeth Stephan as Louise Parradine
Deven Macken as Lilly Warner
Averi Leone as Marion Barrett
Sebastian Princ as Leo Barrett


Student tech

Production stage manager: Siri Holt
Assistant stage managers: Brooke Tape, Leah Quintero
Assistant technical director: Julian Pudenz
Lighting design: Leah Quintero
Sound design: Lilliana Wallace
Props master: Sydney Nelson

Shift crew: Kara Hoffmann, Taylor Price 
Costume crew: Laura Berge, Ashar McCann, Genesis Lema 
Props crew: Emily Christopherson

Set construction and build: Juan Diego Caicedo, Audra Houdek, Kara Hoffmann, Lily Isaacson, Ben Koshiol, Kate Lawinger, Olivia Lubin, Laiah Matzke, Sydney Nelson, Taylor Price, Julian Pudenz, Leah Quintero, Lilliana Wallace

Adult staff

Director and set designer: Nancy Saunders
Tech director: Andrew Proball
Costume designer: Katie McCloskey
Drama teacher and advisor: Laurel Nebeker
Facilities manager and advisor: Jay Asfeld
Costume consultant: Katie Ross
Stage combat choreographer: Mike Lubke of Art in Arms