The Tell-Tale Farce: A Comedy

By Elizabeth Hulsbrink
Geneseo Current
April 3-13, 2025

Picture this… Anywhere, USA, © 1840. A wealthy widow, her niece and granddaughter, her butler and maid, and a ragtag group of male suiters… what do you get? Nonstop laughter!

Richmond Hill Players opens their spring 2025 season with Don Zolidis’ The Tell-Tale Farce: A Comedy, which promises to be a rip-roaring time! New to the Round are Jacob Lund (Henry Whitford), Cali VanZandt (Mary), Shyna DeVoss (Abigail Dowling) and Lena DeLellis (Light & Sound Operator). And making come-back appearances are Derek Bolme (Poe- the real one), Elizabeth Hulsbrink (Helena Dowling), Eric Landuyt (Edgar/ Richard Muffinbridge), Eric Friedman (Rufus Griswold), David Shaffer (Brinsley), and Dana Skiles (Sarah Dowling, Light & Sound Designer), as well as additional crew members Suzanne Rakestraw (Costumes), Jim Skiles and Mike Skiles (Set Builders).  

Making her directing debut, Elizabeth Shaffer, with stage manager, Pat Kelley, found the perfect group of new and seasoned actors to bring you this fabulous farce filled with twists and turns, secret love affairs, deafness, and far too much opium.

Here is the scoop: Comedic gem, The Tell-Tale Farce, is a brilliantly absurd take on Edgar Allan Poe’s iconic tale. This play masterfully blends fast-paced humor, witty dialogue, and over-the-top characters, making it a delightful experience for both performers and audiences.

Zolidis takes the eerie suspense of The Tell-Tale Heart and flips it on its head, infusing it with chaotic misunderstandings and slapstick moments that keep the laughter rolling. The exaggerated characters, from the increasingly frantic narrator to the clueless guests, provide endless comedic opportunities that make this script a perfect choice for high school and community theater productions.

Beyond the humor, The Tell-Tale Farce is a well-structured play that allows for dynamic staging and physical comedy, which challenges the cast while keeping the energy high. The clever wordplay and rapid-fire pacing ensure that audiences remain engaged from start to finish.

If you’re looking for a play that delivers non-stop laughs while paying homage to a literary classic, The Tell-Tale Farce is a must-see! On a side note, I feel like this is one of the best comedic shows to come out of Richmond Hill Players… but with all due respect, I’m a little biased!

Photos from Thespian Fun Night!

The event was held last Sunday, January 19th. There was trivia and live music. Photos by Kara Sanken.

Trivia second place table with (Left to right): Nathan Van Cleve, Jenny Parsons, Sandy and Doug Schehl

Trivia first place table with (left to right): Kelly Evert, Cheryl Schehl, Chris Schehl, and Bill Schehl

Thespian officers (left to right): Sophia Clifton, Beth Mroz, Shay Schehl, Kara Sanken, and Logan VanDeWoestyne.

A GMS Holiday Concert

By Elizabeth Hulsbrink
Geneseo Current

“Hark how the bells- Sweet silver bells- All seem to say- Throw cares away- Christmas is here- Bringing good cheer- To young and old- Meek and the bold” (Carol of the Bells, by Mykola Leontovych ©) .

There is nothing like Christmas music to get people in the spirit of the holidays; and there is nothing better than a GREAT band and choir concert to make spirits bright. This past Sunday, the Geneseo Middle School Music Department, under the direction of Ms. Amy Croft, Mrs. Sara Hawkins, and Mrs. Jamie Kotovsky, with accompanist Mrs. Kim Schwarzkopf, presented a remarkable concert.

Photos by Elizabeth Hulsbrink

With a completely full concert hall, the show began with the Jazz Band, comprised of 7th and 8th grade students. Mrs. Hawkins led the group with jazzy renditions of classics “Sleighin’ It” (Arr. Steve Parsons), “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” (Arr. Victor Lopez), “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” (Arr. Mike Story) and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” (Arr. Paul Clark). Soloists featured: Cullen Boone on alto saxophone, Novak Ryerson on Trumpet, Elijah Melton and Ian McCord on tenor saxophones. The jazz band was full of energy, with toe-tapping rhythms and lively solos that had the audience clapping and swaying.

The 7th grade band played their set next, also under the direction of Mrs. Hawkins. They started with a lovely piece, “Snowscape” (Arr. Randall D. Standridge), and finished with their powerhouse piece, “All I Want for Christmas Is You” (Arr. Michael Brown). But their rendition of Michael Sweeney’s “The Christmas Song” (AKA Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire), was so beautiful, capturing the heart and spirit of the season.

After a brief turnaround, the 7th grade choir with Ms. Croft took to the stage for their chance to bring Christmas cheer. Opening with “Festival of Lights” (Arr. David Eddleman) then “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly” (Arr. Julie Knowles), the music shifted seamlessly from the upbeat energy of the band to a gentle, soothing tone, creating a beautiful contrast that captivated the audience. However, the 7th grade choir truly showed such amazing development with their vocal skills while performing “Fum, Fum, Fum” (Arr. Alice Parker & Robert Shaw) and “Believe” (Arr. Teena Chinn). Vocal soloists included Gia Haars, Peyton Wexell, Trace Hager, and Olivia Krause. Well done!

Next up was the 8th grade Symphonic band, led by Mrs. Kotovsky. Hearing the growth of just one more year of playing is always exciting. And the 8th graders did a great job. They started their set with a rather challenging medley, “Symphonic Highlights from Frozen” (Arr. Stephen Bulla), but proved they were up to that challenge. “Snow in a Silent Wood” (Arr. Jonathan McBride) showcased the depth of their growth though dynamics and pure warmth in their sound. For a special treat, a guest conductor was selected from a drawing, and the lucky winner was Scott McAvoy, who led the band in the always fun “Sleigh Ride” (Arr. Leroy Anderson). A special feature was in the 8’ Slapstick! WOW!

The 8th grade Swing Choir took to the stage with sunglasses, jingle bells, and some swinging jazzy rock! “Dig That Crazy Santa Clause” (Arr. Mac Huff) got the audience snapping, while “I Saw Three Ships” (Arr. Russell Robinson) had everyone humming along. Their show-stopper, though, was “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” (Arr. Mac Huff). Singing, dancing, moving and grooving- clearly the kids were having fun with this particular piece.

After a quick transition, the 8th grade Symphonic Choir took the stage, with soloists Ethan Temperley and Grace Toney adding a beautiful touch to the performance of 'Follow His Star' (Arr. Merrill Miller). The next piece, “On This Winter Night” (Arr. Greg Gilpin) had everyone leaning in, captivated by the beautiful lyrics that brought a fresh depth to the familiar tune. For a change of pace, “Holly Jolly Christmas” (Arr. Harry Simeone) brought a playful listening experience. The real wow factor arrived when the kids performed 'Carol of the Bells' (Arr. M. Leontovich, Peter J. Wihlousky), flawlessly hitting every note with perfect timing. Kudos for taking this on A Capella!

The evening finished with the combined bands, choirs, and audience performing “Holiday Sing-a-Long” (Arr. John Moss) for the grand finale. What a wonderful way to brighten the holiday spirit.

Ye Olde Forty-Fourth Madrigal Dinner Concert

By Elizabeth Hulsbrink
Geneseo Current

Lords and Ladies, Dukes and Duchesses, Princes and Princesses, lend me your ear! The King (senior Dylan Gehl) and Queen (senior Elizabeth Mroz) of Merrie Olde England wish to share an evening of feasting, celebration, and of course, music during these high holiday times. Don thine finest raiment, make ready to partake of copious fare, and join us in merry song and mirth.

This year marks the 44th annual Madrigal Dinner at Geneseo High School, and this year’s particular group of musicians proved to be beyond fabulous talent! From the moment we drove up to the high school, we were transported to 16th-Century England with “fire” caldrons, beggars, a brass quintet and a full recorder ensemble. We were lead through the halls to the DePauw Theater where we were greeted with instrumental music as well as folly provided by the court Jesters. Then, with the sound of horns, we were lead to our banquet tables.

Photo by Elizabeth Hulsbrink

The entire library lobby was decorated floor to ceiling with traditional-looking paintings, shields, wreaths, candles, and a huge “stone” fireplace. The audience was lit solely by the soft glow of candles on their tables, while the head table, reserved for the king’s court, was bathed in spotlights, making them clearly visible to everyone. With true-to-style dinner theater, the audience was encouraged to join in the singing and laughter, as well as help the Lord Chamberlain (senior Logan VanDeWoestyne), move the story along.

During the dinner, court Jesters Jule (Hope Kuster, senior), Patison (Nina Schmedding, junior), Will (Mickayla Bowles, freshman), and Tom (Elijah Coppejans, freshman) told jokes, sang songs, moved through the audience, and even danced during the court’s singing. Mimes Emilia Schmitt and JJ Money, both seniors, engaged the audience in their unique and captivating style. And beggars, Jameson Coppejans, Evelyn Dahl, Ruby Efflandt, Lizzie Lane and Vera Vincent all worked the audience in efforts of gaining sympathy and receiving tokens of candy (or mashed potatoes- as was the case at our table!).

The songs performed were exceptionally challenging, yet the students delivered them with remarkable ease and confidence, showcasing their impressive talent and dedication. Nearly all pieces were acapella, and included at times six, eight, or even ten-part harmony! There was a very special song towards the end of the program which included the trio of Joe Versluis (Bass Recorder), Kara Sancken (Soprano Recorder), and Paxton Sherbeyn (Acoustic Guitar), all seniors, joining with the full choir to perform “To Keep the Cold Wind Away” by Paul Brandvik. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house! Simply amazing!

Photo by Elizabeth Hulsbrink

The sheer number of students involved in this production is astonishing! Vocalist in the King’s court included: seniors Tyler Holtzen, Shay Schehl, Cody Hensley, Clara Huddleson, Elanor DeBlieck, Avery Catour, and Carter Eastburn. Juniors: Landry Possin, Perry Farley, Jackie Milem, Theodore Phillips, Isabella Brooks, Ava Brewer, and Cy Sammons. Sophomores: Andre Diediker, Aria Mayo-Bechtel, and Ayame Stroh. Freshmen: Colin Roemer, and Chase VanDeWoestyne. Members of the brass quintet included: Juniors Jonathan Freadhoff and Tucker Tarkington. Sophomore Jacob Berry. Freshmen: Harrison Conley and Aiden Hawkins. Members of the recorder ensemble included: Seniors Sophia Clifton, Kara Sancken, and Joseph Versluis. Juniors: Liam Coleman, Sam Curcuru, Matthew Darnall, Anna Davis, Bee Scheider, and Kjerstin Wildermuth. Freshmen: Alivia Brown and Addie McSparin. And to complete the show, there were an additional four pages, one “cook”, and 24 servers (all students).

*It is important to note that this program is completely student-led! Though there were rehearsal directors, stage managers, sound and light managers, chairpersons, costuming, set construction, table settings, an abundance of food donations, decorations, waitstaff, tickets and programs, videography, and a parent-led cast party, the Geneseo High School Madrigal stands apart as a truly unique performance. A special recognition of appreciation goes to the incredibly talented musicians, whose skill and dedication brought an exceptional level of artistry to the performance. Their hard work and passion truly shone through, making the show unforgettable.

“My Son Is Crazy, But Promising" an Absolute Must See!

Directed by Dana Skiles - Richmond Hill Players
Nov. 14-17 & 21-24, 2024
By Elizabeth Hulsbrink

Picture this: Arizona in August, no pool, no air conditioning, and the ice machine is broken! This isn’t your average Ritz Hotel; this is the Ritz-Apache Lodge in Tumbleweed!

Hollywood screenwriter, Bud Granger (played by Derek Bolme, in his acting debut) trades the glitz of Tinseltown for the rugged charm of Tumbleweed, Arizona, where he buys a rundown lodge near the legendary "Lost Dutchman Mine." Bud hopes to strike it rich and retreat into a quiet millionaire's life, but his plans go completely off track when he discovers the lodge is over-crowded with eccentric characters. The funky space lady, Cora Ames (Jane Simonson) kept the audience roaring, while the melodramatic mobster, Oysters Rockefeller (John Simosky) and his starlet-in-the-making fiancée Chi-Chi Vazoom (Tifany Simosky- John’s sister-in-law), proved to be filled with unexpected warmth and charm.

Tilly Granger (Carol Neuleib) Bud’s out-of-work-actress mother shows up unannounced, and tries her best not to get sucked in to the pandemonium of the hillbilly town. Honeymooners June and Arthur Whitney (Elizabeth and David Shaffer) are indubitably and the wrong Ritz. And locals Sheriff Bates (Jonathan Graff) and Gert Witherspoon (Beth Nyland) are fed up with the ensuing chaos that always seems to find its way to the Lodge. The on-stage relationship between the terrible spy Dimitri Jones (Jim Skiles) and his FBI handler Susan Claypool (Stacy Herrick) confirmed that not everything you see can be believed. And while Fay Armstrong (Katie Orwig) is chancing her story, Karen Russell (Terri Nelson) puts a major development into a completed unhinged twist. A special shoutout goes to Elliana Moore- the illusive UFO.

However, the true standout that brings all this chaos into focus is the fascinating dynamic between Bud and his Hollywood director, Larry Lime (Samuel Carrington). Despite being complete opposites, these two form an unstoppable duo!

From a flying saucer, buried treasure, and a roller-skating corpse, to Brussel sprouts on a stick, Richmond Hill Players has done it again! Congratulations to director Dana Skiles, for bringing this to life. The hilarious comedy, “My Son Is Crazy, But Promising” is an absolute must see!

Richmond Hill Players “Of Mice and Men” Was Faubulous!

By Elizabeth Hulsbrink
Geneseo Current

If you have ever read John Steinbeck’s 1937 classic, “Of Mice and Men” you might remember the story- George and Lennie find themselves working on a ranch, where they encounter various characters, including Candy, Slim, Curley (the boss's aggressive son), and Crooks, the isolated black stable hand. The story explores themes of friendship, dreams, loneliness, and the harsh realities of life during the Great Depression. But what you might not remember is how those characters interacted, how they fed into each other, how each one couldn’t exist without the other. THAT is exactly what director Justin Raver brought to life on the stage of Richmond Hill Players! 

When you enter the only theater in the round within 150 miles, you will find yourself drawn back to the 1930s in the agricultural valley of Northern California, along the Salinas River in the small town of Soledad. Birds and insects singing, the gentle wind whispering through the brush, bluegrass music quietly playing in the distance, and two travelers (migrant field workers), George and Lennie, find themselves stopping for the night. The two share a deep bond and dream of one day owning their own piece of heaven where they can “live off the fat of the land.”

Nothing is simple about this story. And time and time again we have seen theater troupes try to tackle this particular play, but oftentimes they fall flat. However, the vision of Justin Raver, with the help of Megan McConville and Jennifer Kingry, not only brought the story to life, they told it in such a way that we as the audience were completely drawn in! The stage connection between actors Kevin Maynard (George) and Matthew McConville (Lennie) proved to display incredible chemistry, complementing each other's performances seamlessly. Then add the dynamic energy of Patrick Kelley (Candy), elevating the entire production. Their interplay was so natural and  engaging adding richness and depth to the play, making it a truly captivating experience. 

A few new faces to Richmond Hill Players (Lily Blouin, Zack Sullivan, and Anthony Mitchell) as well as some seasoned veterans (Mike Skiles, Kevin Keck, Glenn Kluge, and Julian Totton), filled in the rest of the story. Their contributions added layers to the performance, enriching the production and creating a balanced ensemble. Of course, the special guest appearance by “Kane”, a 9-year-old German Shepherd dog owned by Matt Escoto, was the final element needed to make “Of Mice and Men” truly powerful. 

Do not hesitate to see this show- buy your tickets before it sells out. “Tell me about the rabbits, George.”

Give My Regards to Broadway - The 2024 Harvest Fest Finale

By Elizabeth Hulsbrink
Geneseo Current

Dim the lights…Cue the music… and Curtain! This year’s Geneseo Performing Arts Council presented Harvest Fest 2024, “Give My Regards to Broadway”. Featuring choral students from Millikin, Northside, and Southwest Elementary Schools, Geneseo Middle School and Geneseo High School, this year’s program highlighted Broadway favorites from “The Wizard of Oz” (1942) to “Hamilton” (2015).

Photo by Elizabeth Hulsbrink

The 4:30 concert, due to weather, was held at the Geneseo High School Performing Arts Center. The show opener, “There’s No Business Like Show Business” (Annie Get Your Gun, 1994) featured vocal students from 4th grade through 12th grade! This massive combined choir filled the concert hall and rang through the school halls. Such a beautiful sound.

Song selections included pieces from The Music Man, West Side Story, South Pacific, The Sound of Music, Annie, A Chorus Line, Grease, Into the Woods, Les Misérables, Fiddler on the Roof, Aladdin, Matilda, Rent and George M! Each group of kids got at least two feature songs, and since some singers were on the stage and others were in the balcony, the sound was always moving throughout the auditorium. Larry Lord, manager of the Performing Arts Center, did a fantastic job keeping the lights and microphones moving with each group, making sure everyone was seen and heard.

Photo by Elizabeth Hulsbrink

The 900-seat state-of-the-art concert hall was completely packed, with extra seating brought in to the side isles. Recognition goes to Haley Tromblee (Millikin), Michael Eckwall (Southwest), Laurel Filzen Etzel (Northside), Amy Croft (GMS) and Stephen LaCroix (GHS) for directing this massive undertaking. And extra special recognition goes to Pam Edwards and Kim Schwarzkopf for their amazing talents, especially in regards to accompanying all songs. Truly, an hour of music from the Geneseo music program is an hour well spent!

Photo by Elizabeth Hulsbrink

Blue Stars DCI Come to Geneseo

By Elizabeth Hulsbrink
Geneseo Current

Strolling down Ogden Street on a clear Thursday morning, the sound of the loudest metronome could be heard blaring over the Geneseo High School football stadium speakers, while the hum of five charter busses, four semi-trucks, and about 120 marching band members took to the field for practice. But these were no ordinary marching band members… these were the Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps from La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Celebrating their 60th anniversary, the 2024 Blue Stars presented Universal, a program which beautifully contrasts the universal language of love with a depiction of the cosmos. Brass, percussion, color guard, and visual elements all take the audience out of the stands and into space. Musical selections in this program include excerpts from Steven Wilson (The Harmony Codex), Yoko Kanno (Inner Universe), Juris Karlsons (Oremus and Adoratio), Tomas Kaco (Nocturne), Hoagy Carmichael (Stardust), Sza (Saturn), Kendrick Lamar (All the Stars), Ultravox (I Remember), and Coldplay (Yellow).

This year’s corps is made up of students aged 16-21 from all around the United States. The audition- based group relies on donations and scholarships in order to travel the country for rehearsals, shows, and competitions, from Wisconsin to Texas and everything in between. They are currently in the top 12 in DCI and are award-winning World Class Champions.

On Friday, July 12 from 12:30-3:30 Blue Stars held clinics with the Geneseo High School marching band, The Sound of Geneseo (TSOG). Then after a quick competition elsewhere, the full group returned to GHS for a 9:30pm final run-through of their entire show. It was out of this world!

For more information about the Blue Stars, visit their website at bluestars.org.

Summer Concert Series

By Elizabeth Hulsbrink
Geneseo Current

Take a stroll through downtown Geneseo on a summer Saturday night and you will hear the sweet sounds of music everywhere! The Central Bank Pavilion 2024 Summer Concert Series is well under way and this past Saturday, June 29, Mo’s Garage took center stage. The band’s motto, “…. assaulting your ears and heart one butchered song at a time!” was beyond fabulous! With three guitars, one bass, drums and mixed vocals, this band rocked the night away. Their covers included songs from Bay City Rollers to The Cranberries, and Mötley Crüe to Lady Gaga. There was definitely a song for everyone. Huge applause to the female lead for tackling some seriously tough songs; she nailed them with her stylistic perfection.

Since the city of Geneseo blocked off a portion of State Street from north of Orange Street to Exchange Street, people were able to dance in the streets or bring lawn chairs to just sit and enjoy. Also, La Roma’s Pizza, Leman’s, and Raelyn’s were all serving up specials of one kind or another.

But if dancing in the streets wasn’t your thing, just around the corner at Geneseo Brewing Company (GBC) Frankie Joe & Kinfolk played outside. As per their website, Kinfolk “is a little string band with big roots, honest American roots.” The majority of their lineup for the evening were original songs, written primarily by Frankie Joe Willderman. Their sound was a mixture of country-meets-rock-meets-bluegrass folk, which they proudly call “a Midwest blend with Ozark Mountain accent.” This easy-listening band kept the audience entertained with it’s acoustic guitar, mandolin, modified upright bass, drums, and a slew of percussion instruments, including a rubber chicken. Yes, you read that right! “We feel a kinship to create music together and a sense of duty to keep it alive for out clan,” (from website).

If you would like to check out either of these two great bands, Mo’s Garage will be playing at Orion Fireworks Festival on Wednesday, July 3, starting at 5:30, while Frankie Joe & Kinfolk will be at Geneseo’s Central Bank Pavilion, Wednesday, July 3 from 7-9pm. For more details, both bands have their own Facebook pages.

Geneseo Community Choir Concert - By Elizabeth Hulsbrink

By Elizabeth Hulsbrink
Geneseo Current

Close your eyes for a moment. Take a deep breath, and as you exhale, listen to all the sounds around you… sounds of birds singing, the breeze in the trees, a gentle wind chime playing a tune. Perhaps you hear the sounds of a busy street, cars buzzing by, people talking. Or maybe, you are sitting in an office, 90s soft rock playing on the speaker, computers humming, phones ringing. Does it matter?

Does any of it matter?

On Wednesday, June 26, 2024, the Geneseo Community Choir performed it’s 16th annual concert at the Geneseo High School Concert Hall, featuring local vocalists and instrumentalists, under the direction of Pam Edwards with accompaniment by Lynne Haars. This year’s theme, “Does It Matter” was selected in “hopes to open the audience’s minds to a renewed level of awareness of the many aspects of “Does it Matter”” replied Pam Edwards. She also shared that the theme selected would encompass “Gray Matter, mental health matters, care for the earth matters, music matters, YOU matter, justice, healing, peace, and democracy matters.”

The song selections were dedicated to bringing all these “matters” to attention. From Beethoven’s “Hymn to Joy”, Shaw’s “With a Voice of Singing”,Webber’s “Memory” from Cats, to Lojeski’s “Do You Hear the People Sing” from Les Miserables and even Michael Jackson’s “Earth Song”, the combined voices and instruments lifted the audience and roused a sense of awareness of what we can do with all this “matter”. The children’s choir sang, danced, and giggled their way through Schubert’s “To Music”, Berlin’s “Play for Me a Simple Melody”, and Huff’s “Mary Poppins Medley”, all of which were under the direction of Amy Croft, accompanied by Miss Edwards, and assisted by Denise Eiker and HannaWiyrick.

Two very special soloists were Isabella Haney and Addison Dykstra. Both are 2024 graduates of Geneseo High School. Haney’s clarinet solo, “Excerpt from Clarinet Concerto No. 2 Mvt. 3- Alla Polacca” by VonWeber, and Dykstra’s “Never Enough” from the musical The Greatest Showman by Pasek and Paul, left the audience reaching for more. Both were performed with absolute perfection.

For a grand finale, all the combined voices of the adult choir, children’s choir, brass section, percussion, string bass, guitar, and even dancers wowed the crowd with the jazz/swing classic, “Sing, Sing, Sing” by Prima (arranged by Kern), “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon (arranged by Shaw), and “God Bless the USA” by Greenwood (arranged by Brymer). Some audience members found themselves humming along and dancing in their seats. Not a dry eye in the house! Standing ovations and cheers filled the hall.

Spectacular work in just 4 short rehearsals with the adults, and 5 rehearsals with the children. The 114 members of this year’s Community Choir range from incoming 8th graders to great grandparents, and come from all walks of life. The 25 members of the Children’s Choir are incoming 4th – 7th graders. All these musicians participate simply for the love of music.

This year’s performance also included the First Lutheran Church Handbell Choir lead by Melinda Wildermuth, with audio provided by Larry Lord, and videographers Lucas Kaiser and Carter Eastburn. The concert will be played on Geneseo’s Channel 50 at a future date.