Video: Eureka Springs High School drama class stages "You Can't Get There From Here"

EUREKA SPRINGS -- The drama class at Eureka Springs High School has a new teacher -- Jerry RunnerSmith -- and the class is going in new directions.

RunnerSmith joined the faculty of the high school this year as primarily a history teacher, but when longtime English teacher Kathy Remenar's schedule filled up, RunnerSmith offered to take the class over.

Remenar had taught drama class as an elective concurrent with Speech, and each year the class ended the semester with a short performance for the elementary school.

RunnerSmith decided to change the focus of the class and take the performance to a more general audience. This semester the class will be performing "You Can't Get There From Here" by Houston playwright Pat Cook.

According to Cook's website, a synopsis of the play reads, "The Mavis Garner Bed and Breakfast gets most of their customers from disabled car problems. When scandal sheet reporter Arthur Lyman shows up, he wants to rent a room. What the two sisters who run the place don't know is he's planning on doing an expose on the place. However, when he falls under the charms of their niece, he soon changes his mind. And finds himself learning how to relax for the first time in his life. This Frank Capra-esque story is full of small town witticisms and is aimed at the heart of any audience."

"This is a perfect play for our little town," RunnerSmith said, "as we have so many bed-and-breakfasts and the themes are very similar."

There are nine students in the drama class this semester, and seven will take roles in the play, RunnerSmith said. The other two students will be doing the technical work.

"I'm excited about this," RunnerSmith said, "and I know the students are, too."

He said the school has been helpful with funding for royalties and playbooks, but donations are needed. The students shopped at thrift stores for their costuming.

RunnerSmith would like to see the class tackle "M.A.S.H." next semester.

The drama class will perform "You Can't Get There From Here" Friday through Sunday, Dec. 5-7, in the high school cafeteria, with shows at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $5, and the public is welcome.

For more information, contact the high school at (479) 253-8875.

Curtain going up -- Members of the Eureka Springs High School drama class rehearse a scene from You Can't Get There From Here, which will be performed this weekend. Front to back are Cynthia Newburn, Erin Goodyear, Mesha Steel, Tavan Willard, Nikki Henley, Tanner Duckworth and Madison Allison. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $5 and the public is welcome. For details, call the high school at 253-8875. Photo by Kathryn Lucariello