The classic 1986 comedy The Nerd,  by Larry Shue, is making its way to the stage this weekend in the Drama Club’s side-splitting rendition of this iconic two-act play.

The Nerd is directed by Ron Jenkins, assisted by Tracy Jenkins and student directors Evelyn Larson and Lochlan Nowatzki, and features six GHS students, along with one middle-school actor in the lead roles.

The plot centers around up-and-coming architect Willum Cubbert, played by Evan Soat ‘19 and the namesake “nerd,” Rick Steadman, played by Henry Anderson ‘20. Rick, Willum’s fellow ex-GI, saved his life when he was seriously wounded in Vietnam, but the two have never met.

Willum is delighted when Rick suddenly shows up at his birthday party, but Rick’s antics quickly annoy Willum and his friends, smart and capable Tansy McGinnis, played by Jessica Baltierra ‘19, and the sharp-witted drama critic Axel Hammond, played by Kyle Long ‘19.

To make matters worse, also at the party is businessman -and Willum’s client- Warnock “Ticky” Waldgrave, played by Jack Dregne ‘19,  and his high-strung wife Clelia, played by Sophia Getz ‘20, along with their terror of a son, Thor, played by Everett Noble.

Rick’s continued presence leads to more and more mishaps, until even the normally easygoing Willum is being driven out of his mind. Thankfully, an unexpected twist stops things from going so far that Willum and friends resort to violence, although that is not to say that it is not considered.

The cast and crew have been working hard since September, and even though there is a smaller amount of people involved than last spring’s Bye Bye Birdie, everyone is pitching in to make sure the production is at its best.

“The Nerd is coming along spectacularly. It’s looking like one of our best productions in years,” says Long, actor and publicity chairman.

The Nerd is showing November 15-17 at 7:30 P.M. at the historic Turner Hall. Tickets are available at the door, and admission is $8 for adults and $5 for students. Make sure you don’t miss this sensational show!