Middle School Students Present Comedy Ransom of Red Chief

The XC Middle School dramatic arts students are preparing to present their fall comedy Ransom of Red Chief on Friday and Saturday, November 2nd and 3rd, at 7pm nightly in the school auditorium. Thirty-one students—11 sixth graders, 10 seventh graders, and 10 eighth graders—have been cast and are excited about performing this hilarious show, which is based upon the O. Henry short story by the same name. 

“Our middle school students enjoy doing humorous shows, and they’re really pretty good at it,” cites director Ken Kettering. “Since I began directing the middle school students in 2000, every show with the exception of Little Women and Anne of Green Gables, has been a comedy.”
Ransom of Red Chief is about an annoying little boy who is kidnapped by two con-artists passing through Summit, Alabama, who need some quick money for a phony stock scheme. Problem is, the town, including Johnny’s mother, doesn’t really miss the little troublemaker who calls himself Red Chief and isn’t willing to pay the ransom for him. Red Chief drives his kidnappers crazy and, true to the surprise endings of author O. Henry, the kidnappers end up paying Johnny’s mother $250 to take him back!
General admission tickets can be purchased from the parents of various cast members, at the XC Main Office during school hours, and at the door 1 hour prior to each performance. Adult tickets are $7, with tickets for senior citizens and student $5. Call (937) 352-1524 for more information.
Ransom of Red Chief Cast
BOTTOM ROW, L-R:  Anne Kensinger, Iris McFall, Mackenzie Klostermeier, Jessica Stinson, Avery Gibbs, Rachael Walquist, Lanie Clauson, Rachel Tingley, Robin Wharton, Clinton Brads
MIDDLE ROW, L-R:  Natalie Isaacs, Lauren Simmons, Sarah Pointer, Lyndsey Phillips, Avery Anderson, Sarah Wade, Carolyn Russo, Makayla Jennings, Debbie Kuruvilla, Shannon Holley
TOP ROW, L-R: Sam Curto, Liam Mills, Andrew Shaeffer, Will Ewing, Austin Seebach, Austin Frueh, David Rose, Jon Lusk, Nathan Dale, Ian Oliver, Josh Frueh