Crowds loved “The Play that goes WRONG”! The curtain closed Saturday night
March 14th for both the play and Director Steve Colonel’s CHS Theatre career
BY JIM BEERS
CHESTER – The annual Chester High School spring theatre production is in the books! The curtain has closed! The show is over! The lights are out! And all indications are that those who attended the performances loved the 2026 CHS Production of, “The Play that goes WRONG.”
This year’s offering was a stage play. A comedy. A hilarious “play-within-a-play” that makes fun of a make-believe collegiate theatre group. “The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society”, is attempting to perform a 1920’s murder mystery titled, “The Murder at Haversham Manor.”
As can be assumed, this group of “actors and actresses” are very inept and have a long history of making a farce of every play or other theatre production that they have attempted over the years. The setting is the campus of Cornley University in England, and everything that could possibly go wrong, DOES GO WRONG, with this production.
Cast members faint and have emotional outbursts. Lights fail. Props are misplaced and in some circumstances, lost all together. Lines are forgotten. Cast members forget to make entrances and others come on stage at the wrong times. Doors lock, get stuck, or come off the hinges. Shelves fall and pictures will not stay in their appropriate positions. Back stage crew members have to come on stage and fill-in for disabled cast members. Sets collapse. Injuries happen to several cast members. The entire show is a hilarious, chaotic, slapstick comedy!
Keep in mind that this year’s Chester High School production was a “play-within-a-play”. The CHS actors and actresses were performing a play which was supposedly a play that the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society was poorly attempting to produce!?!?!?
It was opening night at Cornley University and the Cornley cast was about to perform the 1920’s whodunit farce, “The Murder at Haversham Manor”. This comedic production was a mixture of Monty Python and Sherlock Holmes.
In reality, the show was an “Oliver Award-Winning Comedy” that was a huge hit among theatre goers in the 1920’s. The Chester High School Theatre Club, Mr. Colonel, and his company of 2026 CHS Theatre actors and actresses brought the production of “The PLAY that goes WRONG” to CHS Juergens Gymnasium Stage for three nights of side-splitting comedy.
Chester theatre fans have always been very supportive of CHS musicals. Musicals seem to “sell themselves” with all of the singing, dancing, live orchestra music, and excitement. Stage plays are a bit more difficult to sell. The actors and actresses can’t rely on the music, singing, and dancing to carry the show! In a stage play, the cast must carry the show and keep the audience’s interest!
Well, in this year’s CHS production of “The PLAY that goes WRONG” the cast did a wonderful job of keeping the audience in “stitches” in this amazing production. From start to finish, this year’s cast had everyone trying to keep up with all of the twists and turns in hilarious comedy!
When asked to comment on his opinion regarding plays vs. musicals, Mr. Steve Colonel, CHS Theatre Director, said, “I have always been a strong proponent of the need to do plays and musicals on alternating years. While I understand that musicals are generally more widely preferred by our Chester audiences, I also feel that doing plays allows students who might not be able to sing and dance, to have the opportunity to take on a more major role in the show.”
The cast did a great job in this year’s production of “The Play that goes WRONG! All eight main cast members were fantastic. This fact is especially admirable when it is considered that only two cast members came into the show with lead role experience. Jason Sibley, as Chris, and Megan Zimmer, as Annie had lead roles previously.
Natalie Guethle, as Rachel, Kendall Nanney, as Denise, Alyssa Stehl, as Sandra, and Bently Valleroy, as Jonathan, all had minor roles in last year’s musical. Finally, Brodie Mattingly, as Max, and Karim Landeros, as Trevor, were quickly initiated into the theatre field this year as rookies. This production was their first time on stage!
All eight main characters had significant roles in the 2026 play, and they all carried out their roles with professionalism, and as if they were all seasoned actors and actresses!
There were also 15 other non-speaking roles that were filled by students who played the roles of the Cornley Drama Society Crew members. These cast members often appeared off-and-on stage in several scenes, but had no spoken lines. Many of their appearances however, were during key scenes and their actions drew laughter and some very amazing attention on stage.
The Cornley Drama Society Crew included Jaden Bert, Emma Bogard, Abby Carter, Taelyn Cleland, Addy Gottschammer, Emily Gruenewald, Phoenix Holland, Grace Irose, Justice Mattingly, Raven Renderer, Gracie Snider, Natalie Venus, Ashlyn Venus, and Ashlynn Young. Of course, we mustn’t forget the surprise appearance of “Winston the Dog” at the end of the curtain calls.
Mr. Steve Colonel was the Director of the play. He had a lot of very necessary assistance from Lizzy Wilson, his Student Director. Wilson was assisted by Monica Anaya, the Student Assistant Director. All three directors worked together well to achieve the great show that resulted!
No show, musical or play, would be possible without having costumes, hair, and makeup for all cast members. The group was very lucky to have had the fantastic assistance of Mrs. Lisa Nazar of Chicago. Nazar is Sue Colonel’s sister and Steve Colonel’s sister-in-law. She made numerous trips to Chester from Chicago for fittings and costume modifications in the weeks prior to the show.
Nazar did a wonderful job of creating all of the costumes for the play. She also did the same last year for the CHS musical, “The Addams Family”. Nazar has done costumes for some shows in Chicago and has plans to get more involved in that field when her full-time, 8-hour-a-day, profession comes to an end.
Two Chester High School seniors, Hayden Cartwright and Macy Van Zandt, were in charge of doing the hair and makeup for all cast members. Cast members began to arrive as early as 5:00 p.m. each night to begin this long and tedious process. By 7:00 p.m. everyone was prepped and ready to hit the stage. Hayden and Macy both did a very professional job of getting all cast members prepared to “take the stage”.
It would be impossible to have any show without sound and sound effects. Senior, Liam Holland, was the 2026 Sound Engineer. He had to regulate the microphones for all speaking cast members. In addition, he was responsible for creating all of the electronic sound effects that made the play all the more enjoyable. Hats off to Liam Holland.
Last, but certainly not least, any theatreatrical production would not be possible if the audience was unable to see the show. A four-person light crew did a great job of illuminating the stage throughout the entire production. That four person crew included Chelsie Mathis, Natalie Guetersloh, Anna Menefee, and Kylie Eggemeyer. Great job ladies!
Three District 139 teachers served as Backstage Managers throughout the performances and the “tech week” of the shows. Mrs. Paula Ray, CHS English Teacher, Mrs. Shirley Stegmann, former Science Teacher and current Curriculum Director, and Miss Alex Westbrook, current CGS Para-Professional and next year’s up-and-coming Junior High Math Teacher, all did a wonderful job of supervising and coordinating all back stage activities.
Mr. Colonel also mentioned several administrators for their support and encouragement throughout the performances and the period leading up to opening night. Those individuals include Jeremy Blechle, CHS Principal; Robin Barton, CHS Assistant Principal; and Kimberly Briggs, District 139 Superintendent.
Construction of the set and preparation of the gym was attributed to Gregory Weigand, Teacher; Mr. Tim Paulus and Mrs. Kay Rubach, Janitorial Services.
Finally, the following CHS staff members were responsible for ticket sales, including Mrs. Evelyn Hankins, Mrs. Allison Heuer, Mrs. Crystal Tindall, and Mrs. Vicki Hoskin.
Mr. Colonel estimated that for the three-show series, approximately 500 individuals from the community attended the performances. Colonel said, “We had three laughter-filled performances! I couldn’t have asked for a better cast and crew! Our audiences seemed to laugh from strat-to-finish each night.”
“Thanks to my kids (cast and crew) for putting ‘your-all’ into my final CHS production. Whether you are a seasoned veteran or this was your first show, please know how incredibly proud I am of you all! I believe that all teachers should strive to make their students love the subject matter that they are teaching.”
“Directing a theatre show is no different! Last night after the play, I saw kids visibly upset that it was over. That told me that I had accomplished my mission. They loved what they were doing and they hated to see it end!”
Following the final night curtain calls, several senior cast members and one junior, took the opportunity to express their appreciation to Mr. Colonel, Theatre Director, Mrs. Colonel, CGS Band Director and General Music Teacher, and Mrs. Lisa Nazar, Costume Creator. They each received verbal kudos as well as flowers for all of their help and assistance, not only with the play, but throughout the years.
Mr. and Mrs. Colonel will retire at the end of this school year. Their absence will be felt for years to come for current CHS and CGS students. Mrs. Nazar was thanked for all of her time, effort, and travel, both this year and last, in her role as costume designer and provider.
The 2026 CHS Theatre Production of “The Play that goes WRONG” has been deemed a huge success and one for the record books as Mr. Colonel, Theatre Director, served his final time as CHS Theatre Director! Bravo all cast and crew members as well as everyone else who contributed to the huge success of the event!
The Cast and Crew of the Chester High School play, “The Play that goes WRONG” poses for a photo following the closing of the show Saturday March 14. Jim Beers Photo
The cast of the 2026 CHS Production of “The Play that goes WRONG” includes (left to right) Natalie Guethle, Jason Sibley, Bently Valleroy, Bridie Mattingly, Kendall Nanney, Megan Zimmer, Karim Landeros, and Alyssa Stehl. Jim Beers Photo
The Crew of the “Cornely Drama Society”, in the CHS Production of “The Play that goes WRONG” includes (in no particular order) Jaden Bert, Emma Bogard, Abby Carter, Taelyn Cleland, Addy Gottschammer, Emily Gruenewald, Phoenix Holland, Grace Irose, Justice Mattingly, Raven Mattingly, Gracie Snider, Natalie Venus, Ashlyn Via, and Ashlynn Young. Jim Beers Photo
Members of the 2026 Production Crew for the CHS play, “The Play that goes WRONG” include Lights and Sound members (left to right) Anna Menefee, Lights; Natalie Guetersloh, Lights; Liam Holland, Sound; Chelsie Mathis, lights; and Kylie Eggemeyer, Lights. Jim Beers Photo
Pictured are the two Student Directors of the 2026 CHS Production of “The Play that goes WRONG”. At left is the Head Student Director Lizzy Wilson. At the right is Monica Anaya, Assistant Student Director. Jim Beers Photo
Pictured (left to right) are Lisa Nazar, Alex Westbrook, Steve Colonel, Shirley Stegmann, and Paula Ray. Nazar is the Costume Designer, Westbrook is a Backstage Manager; Mr. Colonel is the Director; Stegmann is a Backstage Manager, and Ray is a Backstage Manager. These individuals are key staff members of the 2026 CHS Production of, “The Play that goes WRONG”. Jim Beers Photo