Theater troupe to stage superhero play

WASILLA — In its early stages, the characters still feeling their way through what’s happening in their city, the story of “The Lightning Bug” sounds kind of confused.

Reports from various parts of the city seem to point to a ghost that has been saving lives. Some of the characters work at a newspaper and it’s their jobs to figure how what is going on.

Eventually, they discover that the ghost is actually a superhero, the Lightning Bug, complete with an alter ego and a villain to fight — Dr. Kasady.

A production of the Homeless Actors of Mat-Su — or HAMS — the play comes to the Alaska Club Theater at 7 p.m., June 20, 21, 27, and 28, with matinees at 2 p.m., Saturdays.

Director Mathew Firman, who also plays the beleaguered newspaper editor Roy, said that he loved the play the moment he set eyes on it.

“I actually read the script about a year ago and I was like, ‘when can we do it?’”

He said that the schedule didn’t open up until this summer so he tried to be patient while HAMS staged other plays.

For Lexi Guild, the Lightning Bug is the first play she’s been in since high school. She plays Thelma Kent, the receptionist for the Magnopolis Daily News.

“She’s kind of a smart aleck,” she said, before realizing that most characters on stage were a bit smart aleck-y. “It’s most of the cast.”

She said that she came to HAMS after running into a member at another audition.

“They’re a big ball of energy — lots of smiles, very inviting,” she said.

Elizabeth Clausen, a HAMS veteran, plays the role of Vivian Wayne, who keeps trying to marry Roy but can’t because news keeps getting in the way.

“I’m ridiculously determined to marry this man,” she said, which isn’t surprising given that the play takes place during The Great Depression. “It’s 1939 and he’s loaded.”

Christine Lloyd, one of the founders of HAMS, plays Rosa de la Vega, who helps the Lightning Bug learn to be a superhero. Her character isn’t revealed all at once, instead revealing pieces of her story over time.

“In Act II I kind of really bring out who I am,” she said.

Janneke Goddard, who plays the titular superhero, said that the play has been fun. Her friend, Caroline Anderson — who plays cub reporter Jimmy — jumped in to tease her.

“You get to wear Spandex!” she joked, prompting Goddard to pull on her yellow facemask.

Anderson said she is also enjoying the play.

“I really like it. It’s very comic book-y and I read those a lot,” she said.

Contact Andrew Wellner at 352-2270 or andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com.