“Still Life With Iris” is a family-fun centered play filled with color, imagination and left little to be wanted. It follows the story of a young girl who lives in a world where all their memories are stored in a coat.

When she loses her coat she goes on an adventure to find it. The Fresno City College theater department opened their new play on Friday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m.

The play was directed by acting teacher and director, Janine Christl.

The play is aimed at an audience from early grade school to late adulthood. The sets were well constructed and were completely utilized throughout the play. The lighting and sounds for the play were spot on and added to the theme as intended.

As for the cast, the acting was well rehearsed. The actress who played Iris, Olivia Stemler, did great in inspiring a child-like enthusiasm to the play. Something that often one does not see in any sort of media today. Nathan Cates, the actor who played Mister Matternot, was equally portrayed with the cold, mysterious adult persona someone would find in a children’s production.

Some more notable characters that added life and energy to the show would be the actor and actress that played Annabel Lee, Thuy Duong, and Mozart, Gage Cornwell. Their stories sparked much interest and matched on tune with Iris and allowed the play to stay afloat.

What is a play without the antagonists? Actor Aaron Gomes and Actress Marikah Christine Leal were just the right pick to play the parts of the Great Goods. They provided comical relief and the character concept was reminiscent of certain characters from The Hunger Games series.

Along with the supporting cast integrating the feeling of community and family this play is sure to be a hit and bring in some good profit for Fresno City College’s Theater.

Five coats out of five coats!

Still Life With Iris will be playing on March 5 at 9:30 a.m. and March 6 and 7 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.