By Kathleen Acuff
 MVHS teachers Patrick Hurley, left, and Hector Perez rehearse. |
King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table will take the stage in late March, coconut shells in hand, when Mountain View High School’s faculty takes on standardized testing, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and, sparing no one, teachers.
The latest faculty play, “Search for the Wholly Grail: A Quest of Test Obsession,” is based loosely on “Monty Python’s Search for the Holy Grail.” History teacher Tim Farrell wrote the adaptation, excising the R-rated material but saying he retained the zaniness. Paige Price, who teaches English and ESL, co-directs with Farrell.
She also wrote the script for a five-minute film to be screened before the curtain rises.
In the film, Rich Fischer, Denny Devine and other stars of stage, screen and the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District fill in the blanks for anyone who has not been paying attention to the state of education.
“(The play is) an exploration of the increasing stress on standardized testing. Gov. Ahh-nold speaks to Arthur in the night and commands him to leave Camelot High and go on a neverending search for the Perfect Score,” Farrell said last week as teachers rehearsed and tried out props nearby.
Farrell’s well-received adaptation of “The Wizard of Oz” two years ago was about a student running away from standardized testing.
The play, a fund-raiser for student programs, is scheduled for 8 p.m., March 24-26. Tickets will cost $8 for students with an ASB card, $10 general admission. Advance ticket sales will begin March 14.
For more information, e-mail Tim.farrell@mvla.net.
