Director's Note: As a kid I regularly watched Dragnet re-runs on Nick-at-Nite. I’ve always appreciated its quirky, off-beat
storytelling. Looking back on it I
realize just how ahead of its time it really was. Dragnet was the first of several scripts
I read this year and something about the characters, mystery and nostalgia
factor just kept reeling me in. I think
one of the challenges of doing something with such a rich history is finding
the right balance of staying true to the original and still bringing new things
to it. The cast, and Michael as “Friday”
in particular, has done a wonderful job in that sense. It’s been a real pleasure to work with them
and I am proud of what we have accomplished together. I also want to send out a quick thanks to my
techies Kara & Hilary and my costume gals Sally & Caroline. They’ve been a great crew… and those are just
the facts, ma’am. (Someone had to say
it.) Enjoy the show. –Nic
Press Release: Houghton College Presents Dragnet
This fall Houghton College travels
back to the 1950s with their stage production of the classic Jack Webb TV and
Radio show, Dragnet. When shots ring out in the Hamlin home,
Nora Hamlin (Carly Trask) quickly phones the police. Lucky for her, Sgt. Joe Friday (MichaelBlankenship) answers the call. When
Friday and his partner Frank Smith (Eric Mikols) arrive on the scene they
discover the apparent suicide of Nora’s husband. As Friday and Frank investigate they realize
that even though things seem cut and dry they will need more than just the
facts to get to the bottom of this mystery.
The officers begin to question the rest of the Hamlin family including
Nora’s mother (Liz Raucher) and daughter (Amy Coon) and quickly see that there
is a darker side to this seemingly average family. As the plot thickens and new suspects emerge
Joe Friday can’t help but wonder if Mr. Hamlin’s death was in fact a suicide…
or was it MURDER?!
Find out Thursday,
Friday or Saturday October 28-30 at 7:00pm (with a 2:00pm matinee on Saturday)
in the Tysinger Auditorium, Houghton Academy (9790 Thayer Street, Houghton,
NY). With questions or ticket requests
please contact director Nic Gunning at Nicolas.Gunning05@houghton.edu. Tickets cost $5.00.
