Sequim Gazette staff

(Updated 11-10-10)

One of America’s most beloved comedies, “M*A*S*H,” is returning to the stage at Sequim High School.

Director Christy Rutherford said it’s the first time the play has been done since the 1980s when one cast member’s mother appeared in the play.

“I thought the kids would have fun with it and learn some history,” Rutherford said.

“M*A*S*H” revisits a field hospital in the Korean War where brave men and women G.I.’s served their country by going far from their homes as doctors and nurses serving the wounded troops in a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital.

Rutherford said the play shows the lighter side of war while including romance, dramatic moments and a genuine love of life.

The play focuses on the unpredictable doctors Hawkeye Pierce, played by James Willis, and Duke Forrest, played by Harrison Mitchell.

They can’t be dealt with casually because they are two of the best chest surgeons in South Korea.

The duo focus their attention on keeping annoying “by the book” doctor Frank Burns, played by Alex Holloway, out of their way while trying to get a young Korean to the United States and entered into medical school.

Sequim High exchange student Natasha Matviychuk plays Ho Jon, the Korean boy.

Sub-plots of comedic adventures round out the main storyline.

There’s a jolly encounter with the baby-talking Bonwit sisters and the worst tap-dancing act the U.S.O. ever sent overseas.

Radar O’Reilly, played by Patrick Carpenter, shows his incredible hearing that anticipates things before they happen.

A sergeant is selling dumb GIs fishing rights in the Bay of Phum.

Capt. Walt Waldowski, played by Tony Najera, the proprietor of a painless dental clinic, is cured of dark moods by the recreation of an old monster movie and a monster.

Most of the television cast favorites are represented, including “Hot Lips” Houlihan, played by Emily Carel, Lt. Col. Blake, played by Patrick Carpenter, and several zany nurses, doctors and enlisted men.

About 30 students are participating, with several taking on multiple parts.

Rutherford thinks the play would appeal to fans of the show and movie and those who lived during the Korean War because they could find details and jokes to reminisce about afterward.

The play runs Nov. 12-20.