November 22, 2005 > 'Sorry Wrong Number'

Before Rod Serling opened the door to the Twilight Zone in 1959, imaginations were sparked by master storytellers such as O. Henry, H.G. Wells, Edgar Allen Poe and Alfred Hitchcock. Short stories were often written as radio plays using sound effects to heighten suspense and encourage listeners to immerse their thoughts in the story. Lucille Fletcher penned a drama, "Sorry Wrong Number," that in 1943 used the ironic twist of an O. Henry short story and borrowed the macabre and suspense of Hitchcock to glue radio listeners, playgoers and movie patrons to their seats.

Originally penned by Lucille Fletcher as a 22-minute radio play in 1943, Agnes Moorehead starred as the wealthy and bedridden hypochondriac Leona Stevenson who inadvertently hears a murder plot on the telephone - her lifeline to the outside world. Although Moorehead played the role on stage as well, when the drama was introduced to the big screen in 1948, directed by Anton Litvak, Barbara Stanwick and Burt Lancaster were chosen as lead actors.

Recently, Centerville Junior High School's advanced drama students, under the guidance of drama teacher Mrs. Troupe-Masi ("Mrs. T"), paid tribute to this enduring tale by producing it for the student body and a group of honored guests. Tina Silveira conveyed the growing fear, frustration and haughty nature of the central character, Mrs. Stevenson, while the supporting cast added substance to the story. As the tale reached its climax and Mrs. Stevenson realized the true nature of the murder plot - her helpless situation becoming obvious - the student audience was enthralled. When a play written in 1943 can reach across the boundaries of time and generations, it has achieved classic status. With the help of the following cast and crew, "Sorry Wrong Number" did just that last week. Congratulations to these budding thespians.

Sorry Wrong Number

Director, Edward Chang; Assistant Director, Nick Louie; Stage Manager, Kimberly Chatterjee (understudy for Mrs. Stevenson)

Cast:

Mrs. Stevenson, Tina Silveira; Operator, Rachel Malina; First Man, Benjamin J. Rich; Second Man (George), Steven Godfrey; Chief Operator, Tina Rungsawang; Second Operator, Zokeya Smith; Sergeant Duffy, Zachary V. Dawson; Third Operator, Rachel Raffanti; Western Union Man, Billy Ghirenghelli; Information Operator, Gurpinder Kaur; Henchley Hospital Nurse, Brittany Martinek.

Technical Crew:

Joey McCurdy, Light Design; Stephanie Sagredo, Make-up; Danielle Quinonas, Costumes/Marketing; Monique Pascual, Make-up/Marketing; Shay Mozzetti, Costumes/Marketing/Understudy for Nurse; Dominic Perucca, Set Design/Special Effects; Dominic Salazar, Set Design/Special Effects; Jarrad Rigg, Set Design/Special Effects; Ashley Meirs, Costumes; Alyssa Mamaligsa, Costumes/Marketing/Understudy for Nurse; Pam Hughes, Costumes/Program; Aquilla Peerman, Make-up.