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“My name is Dennis O’Finn” is the opening line in the North Branch High School Fall Theatre Production.  

O’Finn (played by Mark Murphy, complete with naturally copper-red hair) proceeds to partially narrate and play a main role as a police investigator in a weird mystery-comedy.

“Bull in a China Shop” is about several elderly women living together on Sycamore Street, a la the old sitcom Golden Girls; who have a  penchant for poison, so it also reminds you of “Arsenic and Old Lace.”  It’s got some funny moments especially as the ladies of the household  trade zingers and do their best to act old.

The show is directed by, acted by and set design is by students.  Laura Michels is the adult in the room, but at last week’s dress rehearsal the teenagers were totally self-motivated and Michels contributed as a line reader for an absent performer.

Student Directors Braden Weyenberg and Kodie Maki ran microphone assignments and sound checks, fixed a broken couch leg and gave a great pep talk before everyone hit their marks for rehearsal.  The set is even made by students.

With recent renovations completed as part of the North Branch district’s referendum projects, North Branch High School’s Edelstein Auditorium is sporting a new shine, and visitors will appreciate the classy venue that the community has provided.

There are shows tomorrow Friday November 1 and Saturday and Sunday this weekend.  Shows are at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday November 3.  Tickets are at County Market service desk, at the Community Education office or call the will call and pick-up tickets at the auditorium, 674-1027.  In past years local student theatre boosters have had to choose between the North Branch and Chisago Lakes high scholl theatre programs as fall show schedules have been in competition with each other. But this year, wisely, the two are well seperated by weeks.  The musical version of SHREK isn’t on stage in Lindstrom until the third week of November, so go enjoy both efforts.

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