GHS Thespians Shine in ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’

by Rachel Hunter

The Gouverneur High School Thespian Society brought the house down with its production of The Play That Goes Wrong: High School Edition, performed December 12–13 at the GHS Auditorium. Written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields, the play was presented by arrangement with Dramatists Play Service under license from Mischief Worldwide Ltd. Over the course of three performances—two regular evening shows and one special understudy matinee—the students proved that even when everything goes hilariously awry, the joy of live theatre remains unstoppable.

The play itself is a masterclass in controlled chaos. A murder mystery is attempted by a fictional drama troupe, but every possible mishap occurs: sets collapse, props malfunction, lines are forgotten, and actors struggle to keep the illusion alive. The comedy lies in the sincerity with which the performers attempt to carry on despite disaster. The GHS cast embraced this challenge with gusto, delivering a production that was both polished and delightfully messy in all the right ways.

Inspector Carter, portrayed in the main cast by Laina Kurdziel, anchored the show with a commanding presence. Her ability to maintain composure while the world crumbled around her was a highlight of the evening. In the understudy performance, Emma Riutta stepped into the role, offering a fresh interpretation that leaned into the detective’s exasperation with animated flair. Jonathan, the unfortunate Charles Haversham, was played by Jackson Ritchie, whose physical comedy as a corpse refusing to stay convincingly lifeless drew consistent laughter. Alexander Hall took on the role in the understudy show, exaggerating the absurdity to great effect.

Mary Colleymoore, played by Jaylynn Dalton, and Florence Colleymoore, played by Abriana Casey, delivered melodramatic performances that perfectly captured the play’s spirit. Dalton’s wails and Casey’s fainting fits were both hilarious and well-timed. Their understudy counterparts, Sadie Jackson and Brianna Scott, brought their own unique touches, with Jackson’s sharp timing and Scott’s playful exaggeration of Florence’s fragility adding new layers of humor. As Max, Owen Perry delivered standout performances in the dual roles of Cecil Haversham and Arthur, winning over the audience with his sharp timing. Rose Cox as Perkins the Maid delivered understated humor with deliberate stiffness, while Olivia McDougall’s understudy performance leaned into bumbling comedy that delighted the matinee audience.

The backstage crew became part of the comedy as well. Alexis Biribauer as Annie, the stage manager reluctantly thrust into the spotlight, was a standout, her transformation from hesitant worker to reluctant performer both hilarious and relatable. Brianna Scott’s understudy portrayal emphasized Annie’s frustration. Reigna Belcher and Kaelyn Bishop, as lighting and stage technicians, added humor by visibly struggling with cues and props, reminding the audience that in this play, the crew is as much a part of the comedy as the actors.

The ensemble of stagehands—Emma Riutta, Alexander Hall, Sadie Jackson, Olivia McDougall, Brianna Scott, and Sophie Gemmill—kept the action moving, often becoming part of the chaos themselves. In the understudy performance, the main cast gamely stepped into these supporting roles, showcasing versatility and teamwork.

Behind the curtain, the real crew ensured that the scripted disasters unfolded seamlessly. Stage managers Cassidy Chambers and Hannah White coordinated the madness with precision. Lighting director Laraya Klock and technician Curtis Terpstra created visual gags that heightened the comedy, while sound coordinator Dallas Doxtater and technicians Avian Burt and Joseph Caplinger delivered perfectly mistimed effects that were paradoxically right on cue. The extended crew—Laila Bearden, Logan DeVito, Kylie Gallagher, Kaitlyn Losey, Alexis Melocotones, Lilly Moore, Madison Nichols, Jeiza Rivera-Rodriguez, Madison Sibley, Emma Thompson, Mary Wallace, and Celia Weekes—deserve recognition for their tireless work. Their contributions ensured that the illusion of chaos was sustained without ever compromising safety or pacing.

The understudy performance was a brilliant addition to the weekend. Far from being a secondary show, it gave more students the chance to shine and offered audiences a fresh perspective on the play. Watching the understudies interpret the roles differently highlighted the adaptability of the script and the creativity of the performers. The matinee audience responded warmly, appreciating the unique quirks and interpretations that distinguished the understudy cast from the main ensemble.

No production of this scale succeeds without immense support. The GHS Thespian Society and advisor Michael Bason extended heartfelt gratitude to the Gouverneur Central School District Board of Education, Superintendent Jackie Kelly, Principal Nicole Donaldson, Assistant Principal Margeaux Davis, Performing Arts Director Richard Patton, the GHS Music Department, custodial and secretarial staff, and the Gouverneur Tribune Press. Special recognition was also given to Emily Bason, Robert Decker, and Kiera Matthews for their contributions. Most importantly, the parents of the cast and crew were acknowledged for their unwavering support. Theatre at the high school level is a demanding commitment, requiring countless hours of rehearsal, preparation, and behind-the-scenes work. The dedication of families ensures that students can pursue their passion for performance, and this production was a shining example of that collective effort.

Members of the Gouverneur Central High School Class of 2026 played an important role in the success of the production, showcasing their talents both on stage and behind the scenes. Among those contributing were Jackson Ritchie, Jaylynn Dalton, Owen Perry, Reigna Belcher, Cassidy Chambers, Alexis Melocotones, and Lilly Moore, each bringing energy, dedication, and creativity that helped make the performances memorable for the entire community.

Across three performances, the GHS Thespian Society proved that comedy thrives on resilience, timing, and teamwork. The Play That Goes Wrong: High School Edition is a notoriously challenging piece, requiring actors to convincingly portray incompetence while maintaining absolute control. The students met this challenge with enthusiasm, skill, and a palpable sense of joy. The regular evening shows showcased polished performances, while the understudy matinee revealed the depth of talent and adaptability within the troupe. Together, they offered audiences not just laughter but also a reminder of the magic of live theatre: that even when everything goes wrong, something beautiful and memorable can emerge.

Gouverneur’s student-performers showed that theatre’s true magic lies not in perfection, but in the joy of connection, the spark of creativity, and the courage to share their gifts. Together, they delivered a production that was not only successful, but truly inspiring and unforgettable.

The Gouverneur community was called upon to lend its enthusiastic support to the GHS Musical scheduled for March 2026. More details will reported in the Gouverneur Tribune Press once finalized. For more information about the Gouverneur Central School District, visit www.gcsk12.org.