December 1, 2025 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

5 Questions with Al Pearman

Al Pearman plays Ben in St. Joseph-Ogden’s “The Descendents”. We asked Al five questions before the final show today at 2 p.m. Here are the answers.

Describe Ben.
Ben is the polite,and perhaps too kind, soon-to-be King of Auradon who has aspirations of finally connecting the two parts of his disjointed kingdom with the help of a few choice “villains.”

Was it challenging doing a play that people are so familiar with?
Absolutely. It’s much more difficult to make a character your own when you have such big shoes to fill, especially for well-known characters like Ben and the Evils. But I think it’s also an opportunity to show the audience how dedicated we are to our characters and to experiment within the range of what a well-known character would do.

What was the most challenging part of the production?
The most difficult part of our show this year was almost certainly the time constraints. Between the finishing of our new auditorium and moving show dates earlier to accommodate other conflicts we were left with less time than I would’ve liked to get this show off the ground, but I think we still did a great job despite those hurdles.

What was your favorite part?
My favorite part of our productions every year is the choreography. Our wonderful choreographer Darcy never fails to make spectacular dance numbers that are fun for both us performers and the audience. I may not be the best dancer up there, but I’m almost certain I’m having the most fun!

What can people expect from the play?
You can expect a great show full of villainy, magic, and some great music to match! We’ve all put so much work into this show and we hope you all come to love it as much as we do.

in Schools
Banner
Related Posts

Donation could change the face of sports and activities at SJO

February 16, 2021

February 16, 2021

An anonymous donor has made St. Joseph-Ogden High School an offer they couldn’t refuse. And because of it, SJO athletic...

SJO board approves back to school plan

July 27, 2021

July 27, 2021

St. Joseph-Ogden High School has created a plan for the 2021-22 school year. A plan that is subject to change....

Live at SJO, March 27, 2023

March 27, 2023

March 27, 2023

I am here at SJO tonight so you don’t have to be. I missed 30 minutes but it looks like...

St. Joseph Middle School 7th grade honor roll

April 7, 2022

April 7, 2022

7th Grade Honor Roll Bello, Abigail Benoit, Zachary Canamore, Willis Colvin, Jaxson Ditchfield, Nickolas Downs, Justin Ennis, Jameson Gaines, Leah...

Talk of the Town with Superintendent Todd Pence

May 27, 2019

May 27, 2019

Every week we ask a village mayor, trustee, school administrator or board of education member three questions. This week is...

Harper brings Wednesday Addams to life

April 2, 2022

April 2, 2022

The characters in the Addams Family are well known. But that didn’t stop the actors at St. Joseph-Ogden from putting...

SJO 2022-2023 2nd Quarter Honor Roll

January 13, 2023

January 13, 2023

FRESHMANBell, AdalynCarlson, WilliamClark, WadeCrozier, CadeCruz, AdreonaDaly, NathanDwyer, CalebEricksen, KatherineFranklin, WilliamFrick, LandonHaley, WilliamHayes, CoyHood, BryannaHouchens, BrysonMcComas, VancePreston, GraceRay, GrahamRetz, LanceSanders, EthanSexton,...

PVO Junior High 7th grade honor roll

November 8, 2023

November 8, 2023

7th Grade Highest HonorsSydney AbernathyJebb AdenKolbie BusboomElla GerdesElla MohrAlea RashEaston RayCaylah RobertsRyan Schmitz 7th Grade High HonorsAllie BottAvary BuhrMax BuhrChase...

SJO makes graduation plans for June

May 1, 2020

May 1, 2020

St. Joseph-Ogden High School is making plans for graduation to honor the Class of 2020. In a letter sent to...

St. Joseph Middle School 8th Grade High Honor Roll

November 2, 2021

November 2, 2021

Ames, Trevor Beyers, Kaitlyn Bird, Emily Brooks, Addison Bytnar, Sara Campbell, Shelby Carlson, William Childers, Adelyn Coffey, Christopher Evans, Callie...

A familiar face to lead PVO

February 25, 2019

February 25, 2019

Jeffrey Isenhower will start a new job on July 1, 2020. He will take over the Prairieview-Ogden superintendent for Vic...

St. Joseph Middle School 7th grade high honor roll

June 7, 2023

June 7, 2023

LAST NAME FIRST NAME Bronowski Ava Carter Liam Clark Patrick Coffey Carly Dietiker Avarie Dirksmeyer Ainsley Divan Trey Eaton Connor...

St. Joseph Middle School 8th grade honor roll

April 7, 2022

April 7, 2022

8th Grade Honor Roll Barrowman, Kylie Bartlett, Guinevere Blackburn-Kelley, Timera Blackburn-Kelley, Timothy Campbell, Shelby Coffey, Christopher Daly, Nathan Dwyer, Caleb...

‘There is no one more deserving of this honor’

June 26, 2020

June 26, 2020

Glenn Fisher loves St. Joseph-Ogden High School. For decades, Fisher’s main concern was that the facilities and sports fields at...

Live at SJO School Board, Special meeting

January 11, 2023

January 11, 2023

It’s a special meeting night. Construction on the relocate softball field could start as early as February so they need...

Comments
Leave a Reply