Dress Rehearsals Under Way for L-W East's Winter Production of 'All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten'

Join the Theatre Company as it presents the stage adaptation of Robert Fulghum’s best-selling book All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten on Jan. 19 through 21.

Students have been busy memorizing their lines and polishing their delivery skills for the winter production.

“This play takes a funny, insightful, and heartwarming look at what is profound in everyday life,” said faculty sponsor Rachel Shehane who is directing the play along with student director Julia Bowlds.

Fourteen students have been cast in the production, including Greg Alberts, Maxine Bolden, Sean Gallagher, Sara Groth, Peyton Pazera, Nicki Perry, Jacob Pieczynski, Cydney Rubenstein, Elly Saindon, Sean Sheetz, Shannon Ueberfluss, Jackie Villasenor, Maria Welser and Peyton Young.

The stage adaptation of All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten is driven by storytelling—with colorful characters such as: a shy little boy who insists on playing the “pig” in his classroom production of Cinderella and steals the show; a man whose dream of flying carries him 11,000 feet over Los Angeles … in an aluminum lawn chair; a “mother of the bride” who brilliantly orchestrates the perfect wedding until fate rolls down the aisle; and a modern-day Greek philosopher who finds the meaning of life in a piece of broken mirror from World War II. 

“These stories are about all of us and celebrate our very existence, from the whimsy of childhood to the wisdom of old age,” said Shehane. “Some stories are humorous, some are serious, but they all speak to life and the lessons we learn along the way.” 

The faculty sponsor said she chose the play for many reasons.

“First, I love the stories it tells,” she said. “In an age when so many of us are caught up in our fast-paced lives, just getting from point A to point B, sometimes we forget to stop and think about what really matters in life. 

“This play highlights those simple, yet profound lessons of `kindergarten wisdom’ to which we can all relate,” she added. “It gives our actors a chance to explore many different characters in different stages of life, which I think is a valuable experience for them.”

Show times are 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19; 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20; and 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21 in the performing arts center at Lincoln-Way East High School, 201 Colorado Ave., Frankfort. Patrons should enter through door #40.

Tickets are $5 at the door.