March 19, 2024

Clarke students to perform ‘M*A*S*H’ Friday, Saturday

The television series finale of “M*A*S*H” was the most watched television broadcast in American history in total viewership from 1983 to 2010.

Now, 30 years since the final television episode, Clarke Community High School is bringing “M*A*S*H” back for its spring play.

“It’s a really fun show,” said Don May, Clarke English and speech teacher. “I was always a fan of the movie, but more so even the TV series.”

Clarke’s spring play is 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. General admission tickets are available at the door for $2 and $4 for the back half of the auditorium. Tickets are $6 to sit in the front of the auditorium. They are available in advance or at the door.

The play "M*A*S*H" is based on a book by Richard Hooker titled, "M*A*S*H: A Novel About Three Army Doctors." Hooker served in the Korean War.

The book was turned into a film in 1970. The “M*A*S*H” television series ran from 1972 to 1983.

May said the play is most similar to the movie.

Getting into character

This isn’t the first time Clarke students have performed “M*A*S*H.” The show was also shown at Clarke in November 2002.

May said he usually doesn’t tell his students to watch movies or television shows to get into character, but he did with “M*A*S*H.”

When asked if the students knew of MASH before starting rehearsals, May said, “some yes, some no. It depended on the parents.”

“Some of them knew nothing of the characters,” May said. “Some of them are very adamant about the characters.”

As for the television series record “M*A*S*H” held until 2010, it was surpassed in viewership ratings by the Super Bowl.