Ava Winters uses a golf club to knight Hannah McNamara.

Ava Winters uses a golf club to knight Hannah McNamara.

There might be some people feeling like they have been tilting at windmills as they have tried to lead
their lives in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.
That makes the Brookfield Drama Club’s spring play, “The Girl of La Mancha,” an updated version of the
Don Quixote story, all the more appropriate.
The play was not open to the public – family members only – but director Megan Rodgers pushed to stage
it as a way to give her students “some normalcy, an outlet to do something, especially after last year, not
getting to do our show,” she said.
“That was hard,” Rodgers said of canceling “The Girl With the Golden Locks.” “That was really hard.”
Senior Hannah McNamara said the cancellation of “Golden Locks” was “heart breaking,” considering
the preparation the cast and crew had put into the show, but she said she felt worse for Sarah Hackett,
who was a senior last year, than she did for herself.

Malia Dungee, left, and Aeryn Berena cheer as Alexis Fisher looks on.

Malia Dungee, left, and Aeryn Berena cheer as Alexis Fisher looks on.

“It was a real bummer, but we knew it was for the best,” Hannah said. “That was what mattered. Safety
was much more important than a high school show.”
Preparing for “The Girl of La Mancha” has been “weird, with all the code regulations,” Hannah said, “but
I’m still thankful” to have the chance to perform.
The actors wore masks for rehearsals – they were allowed to go without them for the April 24
performance – and distanced as best they could, a challenge considering much of the large cast shares the
stage at some point.
The comedy by Patrick Rainville Dorn has Hannah’s character participating in a role-playing game called
“The Golden Age of Spaincraft.” “She falls and hits her head and becomes, she thinks she’s Donna
Quixote,” Rodgers said. “It’s her adventures through the mall interacting with people on a quest to right
all the wrongs of the world.”

Will Cleland appeals to Victoria Slabe as Mason Graybill looks on.

Will Cleland appeals to Victoria Slabe as Mason Graybill looks on.

A tall task, and one that requires a large cast, possibly the largest Rodgers has directed at Brookfield – 10
high school actors and about 20 from the middle and elementary schools. Rodgers said she chose this play
partly because she could get speaking lines for so many people, but also to take advantage of Hannah’s
talents.
Hannah said she was “uneasy,” at first about sharing the stage with so many younger people, “because I
wasn’t sure how all of the ages would, kind of, flow together,” she said.
But, a rhythm developed “where it was, like, we knew what the kids could do, we knew what the kids
couldn’t do, and it actually worked pretty well,” Hannah said, giving credit to Rodgers keeping everyone
working toward the same goal.
“I think, for the younger kids, it’s great,” Hannah said of the show. “They have so much fun. As an older
kid, I have to set a good example for everybody. I always tell them, ‘Hey, it’s OK. As long as you’re
having fun, that’s all that matters.”

Connor Mihalcin as Officer Bob addresses the denizens of the shopping mall.

Connor Mihalcin as Officer Bob addresses the denizens of the shopping mall.

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This story corrects an error of Hannah’s name published  in the print edition.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To watch the click on this link: 2021 Girl of La Mancha – YouTube