Miss Nelson Has a Field DayPart of the Darden Theater for Young Audiences Series (TYA).
Adapted by Joan Cushing
Based on the book by Harry Allard & James
Marshall
October 19 – November 18, 2006
Margeson TheaterAs a follow-up to last season’s
Miss Nelson is Missing which the Orlando Sentinel called “…terrific theater for kids…a stitch…simply fun,” the notorious Miss Viola Swamp reappears at the Horace B. Smedley School, this time to shape up their Tornadoes football team who are the worst in the state. It’s up to the “meanest substitute teacher in the world” to turn them around.
or Call the Box Office
407-447-1700 x 1 - Mon-Fri 10am-5pm
Weekend Performances for Children and Adults
October 21 – November 18, 2006
Saturdays at 2:00PM and 4:30PM and Sundays at 4:30PM
Tickets:
All seats $12; Groups save up to 20%’
No 4:30PM show on Saturday,10/21
Weekday Performances for School GroupsSchool Matinee Performance Days:
October 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, 27, 31 &
November 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 2006 School Matinees at 10:15am &
12:00pm Tue's, Thur's, Fri's (running time 50 minutes)
School Matinees at 10:30am Wed's (running time 50 minutes) All matinees for school groups are held at the Lowndes Shakespeare Center
in Loch Haven Park, Orlando. Weekday Student Tickets: $9
1 free chaperone ticket for every 10 students
Tickets call 407-447-1700 x 1 Study Guide
MISS NELSON HAS A FIELD DAY study
guide in PDF format Reserve your morning at the theaterCall the box office at 407-447-1700 x1, Monday Friday from 9:30am-5:00pm.
Tell our friendly staff what day you would like to attend, how many students
you plan on bringing and how many chaperones will join the fun. We are
pleased to offer one free chaperone seat for every 10 student seats
purchased. Confirmation FormAfter you reserve your tickets, you will be mailed a Confirmation Form.
Please sign and return your Confirmation Form with a 50% deposit no later
than 30 days prior to your show date. This Confirmation Form is a binding
contract between the school you represent and the theater. Up to 30 days
prior to your show, you may decrease your number of reserved seats by
calling the box office with your new seat count. You may increase your seat
number at any time based upon availability. If your signed Confirmation Form
has not been received 30 days prior to your field trip date or you have not
decreased your seat count by telephone, the school you represent is
financially responsible for the estimated seat count being held under your
name. Balance DueA 50% deposit is due no later than 30 days prior to your performance. The
remaining balance is due 15 days before your performance. Special NeedsTo guarantee that all members of your group can be accommodated, please
request special arrangements when making your reservation. TransportationPlease make transportation arrangements that ensure your arrival will be 30
minutes before the performance time. Late arrivals will be seated at the
discretion of the theater staff. LunchWe are located at the Lowndes Shakespeare Center in Loch Haven Park. Loch
Haven Park offers a grassy spot for picnics and relaxation for your group
before or after the performance.
  
REVIEWS
Miss Nelson Scores a Touchdown!
The Orlando Sentinel
Review by Rebecca Swain Vadnie
 Think your favorite football team is bad?
There isn't an NFL squad out there that can compare to the awfulness of the
Horace N. Smedley Elementary School Tornadoes. Seriously, when was the last
time you saw a pro score a touchdown for the other team?
It's up to fearsome substitute teacher Miss Viola Swamp to save the team --
and the school -- from finishing last in Miss Nelson Has a Field Day,
produced by the Orlando-UCF Shakespeare Festival Darden Theater for Young
People and directed by Katrina Ploof. A new cast and director aptly pick up
the reins from last year's production of Miss Nelson Is Missing. This
sort-of sequel is filled with the
kind of silly fun that kids enjoy, an interactive mix of poppy musical
numbers and grade-school humor.
Hapless Coach Anderson (Sam Hazell) tries to inspire his wayward trio of
football players (Ariel Heller, Blake Sims and Chris McIntyre) but only ends
up inspiring them to Three Stooges-like antics. Fortunately, kindhearted
Miss Nelson (Janine Klein) knows what to do. Enter her secret alter ego, the
supremely scary Viola Swamp.
The deliciously mean substitute teacher soon has the team running laps and
high-stepping through drills. Cheered on by the cafeteria lady (Trista
Duval) and one lone if superperky cheerleader (Mary Candler), the team
reforms its wayward plays and makes it to the right side of the end -zone.
There isn't a whole lot of substance at the heart of this brisk 50-minute
show. The plot is slight, and some songs in Miss Nelson seem like filler
(albeit fun filler). What makes it
entertaining is the cheery way Ploof and her likable cast approach things --
there is a bright sensibility to the production that shows even when the
football team is at its worst. The production also invites young audience
members to join in with cheers and preshow entertainment.
So never mind Miss Viola Swamp and her ever-present ruler -- no one will rap
your knuckles for talking during this class.
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