Walled Lake Central Opens with 'Flowers for Algernon'

Two months of hard work from the Walled Lake Central Drama club culminates this weekend with the opening of Flowers for Algernon Thursday night at 7:30 p.m.

The show continues Friday and Saturday night for the American classic short story originally published by Daniel Keyes in 1959.

According to longtime Central drama teacher Beth Rexroat, the plot raises an ethical question of scientific research: "if we can, should we?"

The story is told through the story's protagonist, Charlie Gordon, a man with an IQ of 68 who undergoes an experimental procedure to artificially raise his intelligence after successful surgery on the novel's eponymous mouse and the difficulties that the two deal with as a result.

The show offers a diverse array of talent from the freshman class through seniors, Rexroat said in a video posted to YouTube last week, with a minimum on help from teachers, staff, or parents. While show-goers will be pleased with the costumes and sets, Rexroat said that her work largely involves matching the talents of the students with a choice show to do:

"I really try to work on the subtlety with the kids and the acting. The hard work that these kids have put in, that the kids are really, really trying to do characterization. The kids are really trying to get their message across with just their body, just their vocalization."

If you go

Dates and times

• Thursday, Nov. 29: 7:30 p.m.
• Friday. Nov. 30: 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 1: 7:30 p.m.

Location

• Walled Lake Central is a 740-seat auditorium located at 1600 Oakley Park Rd., Walled Lake. Click here for more information on the venue.
• Venue opens 30 minutes prior to show time.

Ticket prices

• $9/adults
• $8/students and seniors (62+)
• Tickets can be purchased online at wlcstickets.com or by calling the Walled Lake Central Box Office at (248) 956-4980.
• Tickets can also be purchased at the door.
• All seats reserved.
• All box office purchases must be prepaid