WCPR’s first Straight to the Stars production will be Cheaper by the Dozen, which is based on the true story of the Gilbreth family. The Gilbreth’s inventor father, who is well-known for bringing better efficiency to factories, keeps his family of twelve children running just as efficiently and the results of being part of the grand experiment are terribly embarrassing, funny and—it must be admitted— extremely effective! To oldest daughter Anne, the chief effect seems to be that of making the children seem ridiculous to everyone else at school— especially to the boys! Dad pushes ahead with better organization for his large and delightful family, such as putting up a chart for the children to initial after completing each household task, using a rung as an imaginary bathtub to demonstrate how to take a really efficient bath and appointing a utilities officer to levy fines on wasters of electricity. While the situations are often uproarious, there’s a serious reason that Dad is keeping secret. The children don’t understand the reasons and oldest daughter Anne rebels. Dad and Anne are both miserable at the lack of understanding between them. Then in a deft and moving scene, Dad becomes aware of how much Anne has grown up.

Straight to the Stars is our Youth Theatre group for high school aged actors producing straight (non-musical) plays.

Adapted by Christopher Sergel. From the book by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey. Produced by special arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY of Woodstock, Illinois.

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