Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
DETECTIVE HARRIS, played by Ironwood senior Alex Hunt speaks with the Maitre'd, played by Hurley senior Jaxon Sokul, after he is called in to solve the murder of Rosemary St. John as the rest of the cast ponders the situation during the Awkward Stage Drama Club performance of "Cafe Murder" on Tuesday night at the Golden Dragon Restaurant in Ironwood. Pictured from left are Hunt, Sokul, Emily Ramee, a senior at the alternative school, Hannah Sandquist, of Wakefield-Marenisco, Haley Agee, of Ironwood, and Kara Dums of Wakefield-Marenisco.
By CHARITY SMITH
Ironwood - The Awkward Stage Drama Club returned to the stage Tuesday night, after a nearly two-year intermission, for the first of three performances of "Cafe Murder" at the Golden Dragon Restaurant in Ironwood.
The light-hearted dinner theatre murder mystery comedy tells the story of Rosemary St. John, an annoying girl with a water allergy who is murdered during her birthday party at a restaurant. Through the comedic play, the actors interacted with the audience.
The play is set at a dinner table, so the cast was stationed among the audience at their tables. The cast functioned as the audience's wait staff as well as entertainment.
The audience was asked to help interrogate the murder suspects and later vote on who they believed was the killer.
Senior Jaxon Sokol, a Hurley High School student and member of the cast, told the Daily Globe said he's been a part of the Awkward Stage Drama Club for six years. He said this show was different that other shows he's been involved in.
"You're used to that stage. You're used to having the audience out in front of you and not all around you," he said. "Every night is going to be different. Different tables could have different interactions. I think it's a little more stressful."
Sokul said it was challenging to stay in character while interacting with the audience, particularly with people he knew, such as his mom.
"Talking to an audience and having them be a part of the show is probably the most difficult thing in acting I've ever done," Sokul said. "It's a challenge."
Director Mary Hagen said that this play was challenging to direct as well, as they only had one full cast rehearsal on Monday. She said that it was difficult to get all the performers together as they are all involved in many extracurricular activities.
For many of the seniors in the group, this will be their last performance, as they may not participate in the summer show.
"This has been a really big part of my life," said senior Emily Ramme. "We had a title in our group called the Drama Mother, and that ended up being me and Kara (Dums) for awhile, and I really hope there is someone here to take care of (the younger actors) making sure everyone is OK, that they're happy and that they're enjoying what they are doing."
Sokul said that they have done many shows over the years, but things shut down the past couple years due to the pandemic. So, he said they jumped on the opportunity to perform one more time.
The show continued Wednesday evening and closes tonight at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
The Awkward Stage Drama Club is a collaborative effort of the Ironwood Carnegie Library and the Historic Ironwood Theatre. Members include students in grades 6-12 from across the region.
