The Smoke Signal

By: Staff Writer Anu Asokan

MSJ Theater will be performing its much anticipated spring play, Fools. The comedy, by Neil Simon, centers on a schoolteacher named Leon Tolchinsky who gets a job in a 1890s Ukrainian village.

For the past 200 years, the townspeople have been cursed both with Chronic Stupidity and an inability to love. Leon, who has fallen in love with one of his students, decides to break the curse. Technical Consultant Brandon Stewart said, “The play is loosely related to old Jewish folklore about the supposed ‘wise men’ of Chelm who solve problems in ways that often appear quite foolish and silly. Ultimately, the underlying message of the play is that people are only as stupid as they think they are.”

Fools is the result of months of work by dozens of actors, painters, technicians, builders, set designers, and more. This comedy will keep you roaring with laughter and enjoying both the period costumes and set. Senior Abhishek Singh, a performer in Fools, said, “My favorite thing about the play is how well it’s written. In a word, it’s hilarious. I’ve performed it so many times already yet it still manages to crack me up.”

The play will premiere on April 23 at 7 pm. It will also be performed on April 24 at 1:30 pm and on April 29 and 30 at 7 pm. All performances will be held at the Little Theater. Student tickets are $5 presale, $8 at the door. Adult tickets are $8 presale, $10 at the door.

The best way to destress? See an unforgettable, side-splitting comedy from MSJ Theater: Fools!