VHS play

VALDOSTA — If you liked those old Doris Day-Rock Hudson comedies, such as “Pillow Talk,” then “If a Man Answers” may be the play for you.

Valdosta High School Drama Arts presents this live, romantic comedy this week, with four performances, in a build-up for regional one-act competition next month, says Ricardo Ipina, director of the show and the high school theatre program.

The play is by Winnifred Wolfe, adapted from the book by David Rogers. “If a Man Answers” isn’t just a play in the manner of the early 1960s romantic-comedy movies; it was one.

“If a Man Answers” was a 1962 movie of the same name starring Sandra Dee, Bobby Darin, Stephanie Powers, Cesar Romero, etc. It is the story of a young woman attempting to train her man to be the perfect husband.

At Valdosta High School, Ipina says the show features several new players as some students move from backstage to centerstage, as well as players who have been seen in past shows.

On Nov. 6, Valdosta High will compete in Warner Robins against nine other high schools in the regional one-act competition. Of those 10 schools, Ipina says, Valdosta High is only one of two presenting a non-musical play. Lowndes High School Off-Broadway is one of the schools presenting a musical with the Dr. Seuss-based “Seussical” (see The Valdosta Daily Times next week for more information on that show).

This competition will pit VHS and LHS drama against the imposing theatre program of Warner Robins Northside, which regularly won theatre honors as a 4-A school before moving up to 5-A this year, and has a theatre support group of parents and alumni similar to a touchdown club for a football team, according to reports. Ipina says Valdosta High, which has won several top honors in past competitions, is doing what it has always done — rehearsing to present the best show possible while learning about theatre and having fun.



THE CAST: Ryan Stillings, William Stillings, Kaela Smith, Alexandria Dzurissin, Rebecca Morris, Holden Hendricks, Shane Mitchell, Carolina Evans, Portia Browning.



SHOWTIME

Valdosta High School Theatre Arts presents “If a Man Answers.”

When: Show plays 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday, Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday.

Where: Valdosta High School Performing Arts Center, off North Forrest Street.

Ticket: $5.