The CHS Theater department always puts together the most eventful plays and musicals every year. This year’s play is the exciting story of “The Happiest Millionaire” and will play at the Nantkes Auditorium at Columbus Middle School March 4 at 7p.m. with two shows on March 5 at 2p.m. and 7p.m.

“Millionaire” is a play about an eccentric millionaire named Anthony J. Drexel Biddle played by senior Cole Kampschneider, a combat expert who’s raising his family in an unconventional manner. 

The main female protagonist of the story is Cordelia Biddle, Anthony’s daughter and a fair boxer played by junior Brooke Wickens. Wickens prepared for the role by researching the real-life characters after whom the play is inspired. 

“The play is based on the real-life experiences of Cordelia Drexel Biddle, so there is a fair share of information available about her family and their roles as influential people during WWI times. I also watched the movie for 'The Happiest Millionaire' from 1967 to see how that actress portrayed the character and see how it lined up with my interpretation of the character."

Wickens believes that the audiences will appreciate the snappy and comedic dialogue heard throughout the show. “I really have to get my energy up in order to play Cordy, because even though we are similar in some ways, Cordy is much more explosive and emotional than I am.” 

The conflict of the play stems from Cordelia’s impending marriage to Angier Duke, played by junior Riley Gausman.  Duke, who comes from the same Dukes that endowed Duke University, secretly longs for a simpler life while his mother, played by senior Oriana Gentile has ideas of her own for her son.  

The artistic direction for the show is spearheaded by returning director Chelsea Parker.  Parker, who is returning from a one-year hiatus from the director’s chair, is excited to be back in charge of CHS productions.  

Parker claims “Audiences are going to love this production.  It’s funny while still plucking at the heartstrings of the parents and students in the audience.  There’s classic parent/child conflict wrapped up in a hilarious coming-of-age story.”  

Other characters include Anthony’s wife Cordelia (senior Lena Costello), the younger Cordelia’s siblings Tony (junior Granite Wielgus) and Olivia (freshman Taryn Wiegand), housekeepers John Lawless (junior Eric Martinez!) and Emma (freshman Emily Niles), delivery woman Jane Mancuso (freshman Lexi Urkoski), Charlie Taylor (freshman Eduardo Alcaide), Aunt Mary Drexel (freshman Bria Jeffryes), cousin Lucy Rittenhouse (sophomore Kenzie Divis), former boxer Spike O’Malley (freshman Riley Levos) and a footman (freshman Hazel Coufal).

Make sure to say tuned for The Happiest Millionaire at the Nantkes Auditorium at Columbus Middle School on March 4th and 5th. For more updates on the CHS theater department and more school activities, be sure to follow CHS Anchor News on Instagram, Twitter and Fusfoo!