'Yankee Tavern' in final weekend at Warren High

“Yankee Tavern” cast (from left to right): Seth Smock, Justin Lubetski, Sara Guillen, and Carlos Ramirez.

DOWNEY – Were all the inconsistencies of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York City, the moon landing, and the assassination of President John F. Kennedy merely just coincidences?

Theories abound while trying to explain it all in “Yankee Tavern,” a new conspiracy thriller presented by the Warren High School drama department. The production is in its final weekend of performances on the campus’ Emerson Theatre.

From the moment you walk in the door of the theatre, you’ll become a part of the crowd at “Yankee Tavern” – a sports bar in Manhattan, New York (2006) that originally was a hang out for the diehard New York Yankees fans.

Modern times find that the tavern has also become a place to remember, reflect, and show respect to the people that lost their lives in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Directed by Kyle Deichman, drama instructor, the 4-character play has been double cast to allow more students to perform. In addition to directing the show, Mr. Deichman has also designed the production’s beautiful set that includes a functional bar with “beer” on tap. That would be “root beer” to be acurate and is but one of the many small details that make his setting of the play so real.

“I decided that it would be fun to invite the audience up on to the set during the pre-show and intermission to purchase a cup of root beer and even play pool on our pool table if there is time,” explained Mr. Deichman.

“Yankee Tavern” has three more performances left before closing this weekend: Thursday – Saturday, April 11–13, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in the lobby of the Emerson Theatre at Warren High School.

For more information, visit emersontheatre.net.
Mark Keller, contributor