Don’t Miss My Cousin Lino

Don’t miss Glennallen High School’s spring play, “My Cousin Lino,” May 7, 8, and 11. Two young adult siblings in the 1920s, Katherine and Jonathan Prescott, are relying on their Italian cousin, Lino, to bail them out of different, but equally dire, circumstances. 

Katherine is hoping that Lino, as a world-renowned botanist, can inspire new life—and funding—into her charity, the financially floundering Flower Society. Jonathan’s motives are less altruistic. He cares nothing about flowers—other than as a way to make up for his constant romantic blundering. 

Jonathan is using Lino’s pending visit as a way of enticing his estranged girlfriend, Jennifer Newberry, also a member of Katherine’s Flower Society, to come over a day early to meet the famous botanist—which will give Jonathan a chance to apologize and, hopefully, convince her to marry him. Salvation is on the horizon, both for the Flower Society and for Jonathan’s love life.

Then the telegrams—and an unexpected guest—start arriving. Mother and Father Prescott, away on their second honeymoon, write that they are extending their trip. Aw, how sweet. Then Jonathan’s best friend from his prep school days, Robert Willis arrives. He’s traveling the state, searching in vain for his lost love Ira McGillicutty, but he’s been robbed and needs a place to stay until he can get some cash delivered. How fun, a reunion of friends! 

And then, Lino writes. 

Given their parents’ delayed arrival home from their trip, he too will be postponing his arrival. Oh no! Katherine’s dinner!! Ahhhh! Jonathan’s love life!! Both are now doomed. Hope is lost.

But wait, Robert is there. Robert is a prankster. In fact, he was known as TJ at school—The Joker. He could pretend to be Lino! Just for a day. It’ll work. The Flower Society will benefit, and Jennifer will come, hear Jonathan’s heartfelt apology, forgive him, and all will work out perfectly.

Only … Robert knows nothing about Italy. Or plants. No worries, they have an Italian restaurant’s menu (the names of the dishes will surely fool people), and an encyclopedia (sprinkle a few facts about Italy into conversation), and an Italian dictionary (just memorize a few common phrases). What could possibly go wrong? 

Come and find out just how much chaos ensues on May 7, 8, and 11 at 6:30 p.m., when Glennallen High School Theatre students bring you the delightful full-length comedy, “My Cousin Lino,” by Bill Yowell. As always, admission is free. Donations are gratefully accepted, of course, and popcorn will be available for purchase in the Commons before the show and during Intermission. Trust me, this is a show you don’t want to miss!