Expect fun on stage with LTO’s ‘Miss Nelson’
Miss Nelson, played by Maggie Jones, finds herself tied to a chair as her unruly class spins out of control in the Little Theatre of Owatonna production, “Miss Nelson is Missing”. Also pictured are Declan Matejcek (Raymond), Travis Neitzeo (George), Brooks Hugstad Vaa Leer (Mouse), and Rosella Procopio (LaVita). Staff photo by Joni Hubred
A class full of troublemakers, a very nice teacher, and a principal determined to win a special award come together in the latest Little Theatre of Owatonna (LTO) production, “Miss Nelson is Missing.”
Director Larry Ostermeier, a retired teacher, said the play is based on a book that’s “familiar to a lot of people.” Asked to work on a children’s show, he chose “Miss Nelson” because it will appeal to older and younger audiences.
“Miss Nelson’s class is out of control, and the principal tells her to do something,” he explained. “Then, she disappears.”
Much of the show is about how her students react to their new substitute teacher Viola Swamp and the adventure they undertake as they try to find Miss Nelson.
Ellis McColley, 14, plays Elvis, a “cool dude” who feels he’s a little better than everybody else. Named after the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, he’s “a really comedic character.”
This is the first comedy for McColley, who has done a number of LTO shows–on and off stage–and said audiences will get more out of the show than just a few laughs.
“They’re gonna connect with these characters and see a lot of character growth at the end,” McColley said.
Annika Wilke, 13, said her character Kimberly “very much gives off Sharpay Evans vibes,” a reference to the primary antagonist in the “High School Musical” juggernaut. Kimberly “loves pink, and she’s always filing her nails.”
After attending LTO’s summer camp last year, Wilke decided to audition for “Miss Nelson”. The show, she said, is “just really fun. It’s very sweet and wholesome.”
One of the tougher characters in the show, George, is played by Travis Neitzeo, 13. He’s done two other plays, one for LTO and one at St. Mary’s School.
Memorizing lines can be difficult, Neitzeo said, “but once you’ve gone through it a few times, it comes naturally.”
“George is an average kid that likes sports,” he added. “He’s more of a tough kid with kids his age, but he’s really scared of adults.”
One of the kids George goes after is Raymond, played by 10-year-old Declan Matejcek. Matejcek said Raymond is kind of a nerd and gets bullied a lot. In the end, he has an idea how to find Miss Nelson and thinks he’s solved the mystery–but has no proof.
“I can relate to him as a people-pleaser,” Matejcek said, but he also enjoys “pretending to be somebody I’m not and having fun with it.”
Ostermeier agrees with McColley that the young characters in “Miss Nelson is Missing” do grow throughout the story.
“It’s mentioned several times that one person can turn into another, and we see the kids working together and coming together to solve the mystery,” he said.
The show lasts about an hour, Ostermeier said, which means it’s doable for younger children.
“Miss Nelson is Missing” shows are slated at 7:30 p.m. June 16, 17, 23, and 24, with matinee performances at 2 p.m. June 18 and 25. Find additional information and purchase tickets at littletheatreofowatonna.org.