“It’s a show, and I’m always excited for a show,” said Helen Januszewski, one of two stage managers for Community Ensemble Theater’s (CET’s) upcoming play, “Rhinoceros”. “Rhinoceros” is a three-act absurdist play written by Eugene Ionesco, taking place in a small, French rural town. Throughout the show, each character succumbs to “rhinoceritis,” a rapidly spreading plague in which humans slowly turn into rhinoceroses. The story follows Bérenger, a “slacker,” and his struggle to save the world and himself from “rhinoceritis.” Not only does the play have plenty of rhinoceroses in it, but it also dabbles into themes such as conformity, culture, philosophy and morality.

Barton Bund, known for founding the Blackbird Theatre and directing its productions, is now making his directing debut at Community High School. Bund has kept his cast members hard at work since late March. “[Rehearsals are] pretty focused, there’s not much talking,” Januszewski said. Bund gives very general stage directions to the actors, allowing them much more artistic freedom to develop their characters. “The actors are doing a lot with their roles,” Januszewski explained. Due to the fact that “Rhinoceros” is an absurdist play, the actors have much more liberty in their performance than in perhaps a more straight forward and not quite as zany of a show.

Being very different from CET’s previous shows this year, “Little Shop of Horrors” and “Romeo and Juliet”, “Rhinoceros” stands out. The show’s quirky plot and devoted actors keep the audience members intrigued. “It sounds awesome and like nothing I’ve ever seen before,” said CHS student, Peter Arts.

“Rhinoceros” stampedes across the stage on May 5th through the 8th in CHS’s Craft Theater. “It’s a lot of work,” Januszewski said, “but it’s worth it. It’s not going to be something you want to miss.”