The Saline Reporter
A Heritage Newspaper
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Kids cast of 'Cheaper by the Dozen' like family
Play set April 18-20 and 25-26 at the Liberty school theater
By Brian Cox, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: April 10, 2008
The nine child actors never stop bantering with one another. One grabs another's ball cap from his head and tosses it to someone else. They exchange quips. They tease. They interrupt each other. The chatter is constant.
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They act almost like siblings. This is a good thing because they make up the nine Gilbreth children in the Saline Area Players' upcoming production of "Cheaper by the Dozen," which opens April 18 at Liberty school.
"This is the most cohesive kids group," said director Mary Rumman above the din. "Within two weeks, they were acting like a family."
The play "Cheaper by the Dozen" is adapted by Christopher Sergel from the book by siblings Frank Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey, who write of growing up in a large family with a father who is one of the great pioneers of industrial efficiency.
At one point in the play, for example, the father (played by Dean Klepaczyk) demonstrates the most efficient way to take a bath.
Set in the 1920s and told in flashbacks through Frank and Ernestine's narration, the story centers around the eldest child, 17-year-old Anne (played by Esther Jentzen), who chafes under her father's strict and efficient rulings.
Jentzen, 16, who stands out among her stage siblings appropriately enough as somewhat more subdued, is appearing with Saline Area Players for the first time.
"I grew up watching the movie," she said. "I was excited to be in it."
While being surrounded by children is not to new to Jentzen, who has seven siblings of her own, for others in the cast it is a new experience.
"It's nice having brothers," said Grace Walters, 15, who plays Ernestine and only has one sister at home. "They're fun."
Ten-year-old Christina Fosheim-Hoag (Lillian) agrees with her stage sister.
"I like having brothers and sisters because I'm an only child," she said. "It's different."
But it's not all together different for Christina. Her real mother, Robin Fosheim, was cast as her stage mother, Mrs. Gilbreth.
"It's a little weird," admits Christina, "but it's fun."
Her stage brothers and sisters are just as excited to have the chance to be part of a large family.
"I like having a bigger family because you can get into other people's business," said Marshall Gardener, 13, a student at Saline Middle School who last appeared with the Saline Area Players in "Gypsy." As Bill, he takes great pleasure in being able to tease his big sister about her new boyfriend.
"It's just like living in a big family," said Kelley Donnelly, 12, who portrays Martha. "I like when we're not doing the play that we're all just having fun."
That's exactly what Rumman wants to hear.
Forging familial-type bonds among the cast is crucial to the play's effectiveness, Rumman said.
For their part, the kids think it's working.
"I really like our dynamics as actors," said Jeremy King, a recent graduate of Saline High School who plays Frank, one of the narrators. "It's kind of interesting how you get close with certain characters. We have a good dynamic as a family."
Eight-year-old Ellie Falahee (Jackie) is the youngest member of the cast and is making her stage debut with the Players.
Sam Ozminkowski, a 12-year-old student at Heritage Elementary, plays Fred. He got hooked on theater last year when he appeared in "Gypsy."
Being introduced to the unique Gilbreth family is Anne's new boyfriend Larry, played by 15-year-old Kevin Anderson, a Saline High School student.
"It's fun because I get to be awkward, which I'm good at it," Anderson said.
Twelve-year-old Alexander Jasman, a student at Saline Middle School who plays Dan, encapsulates the cast's feelings about the show when answering the question of what prompted him to audition.
"I tried out because it sounded fun," he said. "I get to do something I love doing -- acting."
"Cheaper by the Dozen" runs 7:30 p.m. April 18 and 19 and 25 and 26 with 2 p.m. matinees April 20 and 26 at Liberty school theater. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students through high school and seniors 65 and older.
Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling 677-3727 or at the door. Special advance group rates are "cheaper by the dozen." Visit www.salineareaplayers.com.
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