The Moapa Valley High School theater department delighted audiences this past week with its lively stage production of “The Mouse That Roared.” The play, written by Christopher Sergel, tells the humorous story of a tiny European country that declares war on the United States in hopes of receiving generous reconstruction aid when the war effort fails.

Under the direction of Dr. Kenna Higgins, the student cast brought the story to life with energy, wit and comedic timing. From the opening scenes on the fictional Duchy of Grand Fenwick to the play’s clever and unexpected ending, the performers kept the audience engaged and laughing throughout the evening.

The ensemble cast worked well together, creating the quirky but loyal citizenry as they faced the community challenges. Maquinzi Taron, a senior who played the role of Helen, said, “We all worked very hard, and I am very proud of the production. We had a lot of fun helping each other learn our lines and how to best portray our characters.” Destany Urdesich, a junior, played two characters, Fran and Professor Smith. Her mom, Darcy Flynn, said, “This is her second year in theater and her fourth play, and she loves it and working with Dr. Higgins. She also has a part-time job and plays softball on the MVHS JV team. Thankfully, she maintains good grades and has plenty of energy for all her activities.” She also expressed excitement that Destany is carrying on as a second-generation MVHS performer, as Flynn was in theater herself when she was a student there.

The work of the crew and theater tech classes was equally impressive. Remarkable creativity was demonstrated as the set design cleverly transformed the school stage from the Grand Fenwick castle to offices in Washington, D.C, New York City and a classroom at Columbia University. The theater students created their own costumes, and simple but effective props helped bring the whimsical story to life.

School productions often face challenges of limited rehearsal time and busy student schedules. The ongoing issue of upgrading the sound and lighting systems at MVHS continues to be addressed. Dr. Higgins stated, “Our students bring an incredible amount of ‘roar’ to this stage every day, but our technical infrastructure, specifically our lighting system, although charming and historic, is very much in need of a modern upgrade. By attending our performances, you show your support for the fine arts in our valley. The proceeds from all ticket sales and donations go directly toward our lighting fund.”

They have currently reached about 53% of the $50,000 goal necessary for the updated equipment. “Thank you for being a part of our story, for supporting local theater and for helping us keep the lights on.” Donations can be made at the box office during productions or via the school banker in the front office during school hours.

“The Mouse That Roared” proved to be a perfect choice for a high school stage. The cast and crew delivered a polished and entertaining performance. The production highlighted not only the students’ acting abilities, but also their teamwork and dedication.