March 30, 2004 > Washington High School Students Staging - The Last Unicorn

by Matt Ballin

"The Last Unicorn," a popular fantasy by novelist Peter S. Beagle will be staged by Washington High School's theatre department, opening May 14 for a two weekend run in the school's amphitheatre.

Beagle's story, published in the late 1960's, is considered an all-time fantasy classic about a unicorn that finds itself the last of its kind. Adapted by the late Robert Egan, a University of California at Santa Barbara theatre professor, "The Last Unicorn" stage version premiered at UCSB in 1986. Washington High drama teacher and director of the show Matt Ballin was a member of the original cast.

"These days we are bombarded with images of fantasy, from The Lord of the Rings to The Matrix. In writing The Last Unicorn, Beagle explores the idea of fantasy within the genre itself," states Ballin. "Many of the characters in his story have fantasies of their own that lead them astray. It is ironic that only the characters who are truly in touch with their own reality, can see the unicorn."

"This show also demonstrates what actors can do to communicate a story. In spite of its fantasy genre, this piece relies mainly upon the use of voices, bodies, and the collective imagination of the ensemble. It has been a unique opportunity to stretch the artistic limits of both our visual and performing arts students. The emphasis on ensemble has been embraced by the cast and crew, and it's a wonderful thing to watch them work." said Ballin.

The cast includes Leslie Allen, Richard Pham, Nora Quillman, Brendan Monlux, Jordan Southerland, Hailee Lipscomb, Sean Crawford, James Rogers, Raghavendra Rayadurg, Marianna Olvera, Tiffany Heggebo, Bailey Bushard, Stephanie Wu, Nicole Domingez, Olivia Simpson, Nicole Domingez, Tom Shively, Tiffany Walker, Cory Peters, Kelsey Rogers, and Ursula Anders.

Tickets are $9 in advance (or $8 with ASB discount) sold by students at lunch, or $10 at the amphitheatre box office on the performance nights of May 14,15, 20, 21 and 22. Curtain for all shows is 8 pm.

Washington High School Theatre
38442 Fremont Blvd., Fremont

For more information visit: www.whstheater.com