To learn about the prospects of global warming and other threats to humanity, perhaps the federal government and other levels of government for that matter, should take a good look at the New Ulm High School fall play, "Dirty Works in High Places."
Set in contemporary times, the mellow drama centers on Gentle Grimmes (Zach Jensen), the meanest man in town and president of Gentle Grimmes Corporation, a disreputable rogue who has invented a smog machine to sell to developing nations so they can be "civilized."
Grimmes' advice to civic-minded citizens is - "don't get involved."
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He spies on competitors, cheats on his income tax, bugs telephones, even fires a company traitor by dropping her in a paper shredder.
His small army of sub-villains carry out his dastardly designs in funny fashion.
Grimmes' pet project is removing senior citizens from a small cottage so he can build high-rise apartments.
Fact Box
Cast list
GrandmaKelsey Koch
Baby BobAnthony Weineke
Baby AliceMarissa Johnson
Gentle GrimmesZach Jensen
Window DesperateElizabeth Melville
Widow AgedOlivia Blake
SaccharinJaclyn Britz
Dauntless CrusaderGage Vranich
Miss ShabbyMonica Reising
Ms YespersonCaity Anderson
TricksterSilas Sellnow
RottenLeslie Wiltscheck
SlyMadeline Ullery
StockholderAbigail Matthews
Madam PresidenteTrish Johnson
StudentsMarissa Tambornino, Sean Julius, Kelsey Neigebauer
Police officerFritz Rieke
FishermanTom Maidl
FisherwomanMicayla Irmiter
Student directorLauren Horsch
To do that, he plans to force the lovely heroine, Little Saccharin (Jaclyn Britz), to be his bride.
Enter Dauntless Crusader (Gage Vranich), a consumer advocate, who plans to expose the villain for the wicked citizen he is.
Complications ensue, including wild chase scenes, comic election rallies, long-lost parents, orphans, dirty tricks and young love.
The climax occurs when Grimmes locks Little Saccharin in the smog machine, and battles Dauntless Crusader in an uproarious fight.
"I think everyone will like this play. Anyone in the middle school grades on up should understand it," director Wendy Tuttle said.
She had high praise for her students.
"I've worked with most of them since they were in seventh grade," added Tuttle. "They're very bright, dedicated and talented students, committed to school work, jobs, athletics and other school activities."
Other play volunteers are assistant director Carrie Forstner, Jerilyn Kjellberg (props), Carolyn Todd (costumes), and Sheldon Rieke (sets, technical matters).