Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
THE RECKONING — SAD 70 Superintendent Robert McDaniel, left, came up with ad libs for what was supposed to be a non-speaking part in “Uncle Phil’s Diner,” a Project Grad production for Hodgdon High School last Saturday. Estella Lane played the prom date he never called again as a Disc Jockey played by Brad Chiasson watches her chastise McDaniel.
By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
HODGDON — Fabricated story lines about real people in Hodgdon and Houlton back in the 1950s, inspired ad libs and music marked a successful Saturday night performance of “Uncle Phil’s Diner,” in the Hodgdon High School (HHS) gym.
The interactive dessert theater production was thoroughly enjoyed by performers, family and friends who laughed, clapped, gasped and, in other ways, reacted to the production — an early Project Graduation event. 
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
CAST —Students from Hodgdon High School perform during Saturday’s showing of Uncle Phil’s Diner.
The entire cast stayed in character throughout the show and dressed appropriately for their respective parts and the time period. Mike Morey and Kelsi Suitter serenaded each other with “Nerds in Love.” A battling pair of rival cheerleaders, pom poms in hand, were played by Emmaly Jurson rooting for the Hodgdon Hawks and Destiny Ellis for the Houlton Shiretowners. They never stepped out of character as they served dessert, sodas and popcorn to the audience seated at checkered table cloths.
It seemed there were hundreds of desserts in the kitchen baked by family and friends. Some purchased desserts at cost from the Pastry Corner that did its part to help out. Sodas and beverages were donated by Rick Spellman at Coca Cola along with vintage artwork and Coke signs for props. 
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
UNCLE PHIL —Kara Wright, left, plays mom to Ron Murray’s Uncle Phil.
One of the big surprises was the number of staff in the show including a very good-natured SAD 70 Superintendent Robert McDaniel. He played a random audience member in an entirely fictional portrayal.
During a take-off of “This is your life,” a documentary-type series from TV’s golden age, McDaniel, acted the part of a man on parole, then skipped down memory lane with characters from his past. Older folks may remember the popular weekly show that started on radio and jumped to TV in the 1950s with occasional reprises in the 1970s and 1980s. 
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
IN CHARACTER —Mike Morey convincingly plays a nerd.
In Saturday’s production, it became “This was your life.” And people from McDaniel’s so-called past were created for his non-speaking part as an audience participant on the lam. Before the show McDaniel proved what a good sport he was and joked that the show might lead him to a Hollywood contract.
Brad Chiasson, the diner’s Disc Jockey assumed the narrator’s role and introduced characters from the past. Ron Murray was Uncle Phil who had booked a band to play at the diner and was lost somewhere in Aroostook County. 
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
IN TUNE —Nick Lunn, left, and Derrick Ellis tune their guitars prior to the show.
McDaniels’ high school prom date wearing a tiara and prom dress was played by Estella Lane, a school board member. Enraged that he hadn’t called the next day, or ever for that matter, she came through a doorway to scold him for his inconsiderate ways.
The dental hygienist, Mrs. Lavoris, played by the school’s guidance counselor Bernadette Willette, came out in scrubs with a giant magnifying glass to inspect his teeth. 
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
TASTY —Linda McGuire surveys the treats.
McDaniel, constantly reminded that he didn’t have any speaking lines in the show, came up with spontaneous responses to all the pretend characters from his past to the audience’s delight. After a scuffle with Mr. Winklestein, played by Principal Clark Rafford, McDaniel was carted off to jail and said it should have been Rafford not he going to the slammer.
Another high moment was the Bingo game. Each audience member had a card to play. Uncle Phil’s mom, played by Hodgdon High Teacher Kara Wright, said the prize would be a new can of Spam at which point a few restrained retches and laughter were heard. 
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
CHEERS — Emmaly Jurson, left, and Destiny Ellis play the parts of rival cheerleaders.
As numbers were called and cards were filled in, it became obvious that several people were closing in on the prized canned meat product of dubious reputation. And then, the moment arrived. Everybody was a winner. Laughter filled the room.
Several musical numbers from the 1950s were played as the cast danced and encouraged other to join them. “Splish Splash,” “Lollipop,” and “At the Hop” probably brought back memories for some.
People at the diner were waiting for a band that never arrived. But, students Nick Lunn, Derrick Ellis and Andrew Lane, accompanied by director and parent Debbie Lunn, knocked out some live tunes.
Debbie Lunn’s work as director was rewarded with a bouquet of flowers at the finale and applause from the audience. Although the final tally of money has not come in Rafford said that 174 people attended the performance.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
BINGO — Enjoying a game of bingo are Coreen Jurson (inset) Alyssa Carmichael, left, and Lillie McGuire.
