During the curtain call for the MHS play, The Jellybean Conspiracy, Will Krehbiel takes center stage.

MHS play explores issues about persons with disabilities
By CAROL DREILING, Sentinel Staff Writer

"... You know Tom. He won't remember. He can't add two plus two. He'll never read a book. But don't feel bad, dear. Tom'll never hate... or lie..."
"... or ever do a mean thing to anyone on purpose. He's the one with something extra."
"Just look at him, Cricket. Just look at him."
These lines embody the idea behind the McPherson High School fall play, "The Jellybean Conspiracy."
The two-act play, to be presented on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and again on Sunday at 2:30 p.m., explores issues that concern an adult audience -- in particular, the manner in which people treat individuals with disabilities. The pre-publicity poster carries a tag line, "Theater Celebrating Diversity," and this play was written for that express purpose.
"The storyline is really Cricket's," Cynthia Marion, director, said. "It tells how she has to examine her own feelings about her brother's disability."
Cricket, played by sophomore Kelly Roane, finally has to deal with the reality that her brother, who has Down Syndrome, can never be cured. She fears ridicule from her teenage friends, yet she loves her brother.
Tom, played by junior Will Krehbiel, is always happy. He loves simply: his sister, his idol -- Fred Astaire, his tap shoes, his Gran, and life.
Twenty-two other students complete the cast.
Sophomore Natalie Fortune plays Katy, one of 11 students who are studying a chapter on genetics in biology.
"The students represent stereotypes of teenagers," she said. "These types are then exaggerated in the play. It's been a lot of fun. We've become closer as a cast during the last few days. I'm not worried about today's opening. It'll be a bomb."
Thirteen students have worked behind the scenes to run lights and sound, manage prop changes, create publicity and build the set.
"Most people don't know that a play's set is often finished just before the first performance," Sherman Frisbie, one of three set construction chiefs, said. "We actually finished two days early. We experienced one problem when we ran out of wood because of changes to the set in the last week."
Linda Daugherty, playwright in resident at the Dallas Children's Theatre, developed the storyline using dream sequences, flashbacks as well as incidents occurring in a high school biology class and at Cricket's home. She originally published the play under the title "Bless Cricket, Crest Toothpaste & Tommy Tune."
According to Marion, this production is not simply a play. It is bigger than that.
MHS is one of several Kansas high schools that has performed this play. As part of a pilot project, McPherson students have been involved in workshops presented by students from University of Missouri at Kansas City. As part of a grant from Kids With Dreams, McPherson Middle School students were bused to the high school to see a matinee performance today. This will be followed up later by a workshop at the middle school.
Marion and her students have had extensive support during this project because of their partnership with the Jellybean Conspiracy¨. Gabby Lucas from Kansas City choreographed the performance. Howard Martin, producer of the project, has worked through UMKC and provided all information for the program.
The chance to perform this play began with two of last year's seniors who attended a workshop at the state conference.
"They came back to me after the workshop and told me this was the perfect play for MHS," Marion said.
According to the literature from the Jellybean Conspiracy¨ -- also the name of a non-profit agency based in Kansas City -- the dream of the organization is "a world in which people act with kindness of heart towards children and young adults with disabilities and thoughtfully include them in their circles of friendship."
An initial meeting in the spring included special education staff members from the high school, Superintendent Bob Shannon, Marion and representatives from the Jellybean Conspiracy¨. These individuals were brought together so that everyone would understand the vision of this project.
The MHS special education staff has been extremely helpful in working with Krehbiel, Marion said.
Audience members will be treated to a 20-minute preshow that was created by Drama 2 students. They have prepared computer slide shows and have organized a number of presenters who will share personal accounts of their own experiences with persons with disabilities.
The MCDS chorus will perform "Wind Beneath My Wings." Other musical performances include a guitar solo and a piano solo. A tribute to the play and Krehbiel's part in it will be presented by his brothers, J. J. and Rob, immediately prior to the opening curtain.
The play is so new that it is being reshaped with each performance. The set design by Rachel Prochaska may be purchased to be offered to other schools for production on a national level. Even some of Marion's talents have been recognized, as she has been asked to help edit the script before it is finalized for national publication by the Jellybean Conspiracy¨ .
A talk-back session will be included at the end of each performance to allow audience reaction and input. Martin will be present following Friday's performance, and Lucas will lead Sunday's talk-back.
As part of the project, two follow-up workshops will be presented on Oct. 21. One will take place at the middle school, and a family workshop will follow at 7 p.m. that same day in the Activity Center at MHS.
"The theater is a powerful media," Marion said. "This play uses the original function of Greek drama to teach."
Tickets for the performances may be purchased at the door.
While the public is encouraged to attend, Marion described one concern.
"Because of the sensitivity of the subject, this play is probably not suited for grade school children," she said. "Sometimes parents know that they can bring their young children out to a high school play for an evening's entertainment. This just isn't that kind of play."

McPherson Unified School District 418
514 N. Main
McPherson, KS 67460
620-241-9400
It is the policy of McPherson USD 418 not to discriminate on the basis of sex, disability, race,
religion, color, age, or national origin in its educational programs and/or activities, nor in its employment practices.

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