The cast of ADM Drama Department’s “D.O.A.” pose for a photo during a recent rehearsal. Photo Courtesy of Molly Longman

Adel-DeSoto-Minburn High School is taking a trip back in time for its spring play this weekend.

According to Drama Director Molly Longman, the school is presenting “D.O.A., Dead on Arrival,” which is based on a 1950 film. She describes that the premise of the story follows the main character, Frank Bigelow, who learns that he has been poisoned and tries to solve his own murder before time runs out. 

“It’s a film noir show so we’ve had a lot of fun delving into the styles of the 1950s and what it means to create something in that style of film noir, at least as best we can, for this stage with a crime, detective story.”

ADM junior Justice Clymer enjoys getting to portray a different time period.

“I really like that it’s different from a lot of plays because it is taking place in the 1950s. I think it’s really cool how they captured it with the different vocabulary words, the different slang words, because it really shows that it’s not right now, it’s in the past.”

ADM senior Noah Evans has also enjoyed diving into the 1950s.

“I really enjoy the set piece and the time period. I remember back in sophomore year, I was obsessed with Frank Sinatra and stuff. So (it’s been) so much fun getting to dress up like a 1950s accountant and being around all these old-timey props, that’s probably my favorite part.”

Longman explains that this year’s show is a change from previous light-hearted productions. 

“This has really challenged them, I think in being something a little more serious. Maybe a little more artsy in terms of really establishing the time period. We’re incorporating a live on-stage band for some of the jazz elements that we’ve worked into the show. So that’s been an extra layer that will give the audience something different as well.” 

She adds that community members will also get the chance to see fight and dance choreography. ADM students worked with Drake University’s Erik Meixelsperger for the fight scenes and Ella Appelbaum, a Drake University grad student, on the dance side for the jazz club and party scenes.

“It was a lot of fun to engage in both of those workshops and we really appreciate them for helping us take the show over the top.”

Longman adds that the production has been a long time coming as ADM students were in the middle of rehearsing back in 2020 before COVID canceled the show. She details that they were looking for the right group of students to bring it back to life and felt that they had the right mix of students to take on the project this year. She has also reached out to a few of the original cast members and hopes to see a few of them in the audience.

Longman invites the community to come watch all of the work the students have put into the show.

“We have about 80 students involved in this production in some way, whether that’s the cast, the crew or our on-stage band, and they have been working incredibly hard since January. All of their hard work really culminates this weekend and the whole goal is to offer this as a source of entertainment for our community. So the more seats we can get full in the house, the better. We are offering something unique, something really entertaining and just in the name of supporting the young people in your community who are incredibly hard-working and talented, we would love to see every seat in the house full.”

Tickets cost $5 for students and $6 for adults and can be purchased online or at the door. Evans details that all of the proceeds will go to help fund next year’s play.

“So if you want to see more of what we do, more students learning about theater and growing in that, then come to (this year’s) play, buy a ticket or two, bring your friends and family. That really helps us and our school and I really want more students to experience what it’s like to cast or crew at ADM.”

The production will take place at the high school auditorium, 801 Nile Kinnick Drive South, in Adel on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. To purchase tickets, click here and to see the playbill, including the cast and crew members, click here.