'Potatoes' an original mash-terpiece

For those who remember the "fumes" incident at Warren County High School in 1998, it remains an interesting footnote in our community's history; and for those who don't, Holly and Carson McNeal have a story for you.

On Nov. 12, 1998, an outbreak of reported illnesses affecting students and faculty was attributed to "toxic fumes" in the high school. Nearly 200 people complained of headaches, rashes, nausea, shortness of breath and dizziness with 38 being hospitalized. The event became big local and even national news and shut down WCHS for over two weeks with over $100,000 spent on emergency treatment.

After thorough testing from local, state and federal authorities, no biological or chemical causes were detected. The New England Journal of Medicine weighed in on the outbreak, deeming it a case of "mass hysteria," real symptoms brought on by a growing anxiety.

Husband-and-wife team Carson and Holly McNeal have a different take on the case and are prepared to present it during the Warren Arts production of "Potatoes" premiering Friday, Sept. 25 at the Park Theater.

"'Potatoes' is the maybe, probably, possibly true story of the fumes," Holly said. "I’m not saying it’s for sure what happened, but the science checks out. It definitely could have happened."

The fun, nostalgic play lasts approximately an hour and twenty minutes and there are four chances for the public to catch it: Friday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 26 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 27 at 2 p.m.

"We first started dreaming up the play that became 'Potatoes' while working backstage during 'The Lion King' in May 2025, and I was still making tweaks the week before our read through," Holly said. "Carson had never spent much time backstage, and seeing the inner workings during 'The Lion King' got him thinking about a set idea he would like to build.

"At that point there was no story to go with it, but I had been wanting to write a play for a while. As we talked about what sort of story would take place in this set, it was clear it would be about some teens on an adventure. We wanted to set it in the '80s or '90s. We were definitely influenced by 'The Goonies,' 'Stranger Things' and 'Napoleon Dynamite.'

"At some point Carson told me the story of the fumes in 1998. I was shocked that I’d never heard anything about it. I met Carson and started hanging out in McMinnville and with McMinnville people in 2001, so it was not that long after it happened. It’s the sort of story that makes you say, 'The truth is stranger than fiction,' and we knew immediately that was the basis for our play. The first rough draft was very rough but captured the main plot. We then began interviewing people who were there at the time and their memories helped us add specific lines, details and whole scenes. Some of the best moments in this play aren’t the ones we made up, but the ones that really happened."

The story of "Potatoes" centers around Tuck, a teenager with a great group of friends, a dad who constantly nags him to be a basketball player, an annoying little sister and the girl next door he has a crush on.

"If you lived through the '90s, I think you'll appreciate the nostalgia," Holly said. "And if you're from McMinnville, you'll enjoy seeing the infamous fumes incident play out from a different perspective. The show is suitable for all ages but may appeal a little more to middle school and up. "

While the play is not a musical, there are a few songs included that are sure to take audiences back to their younger days as well as an original post-bows song written by Carson featuring a dance choreographed by Maya Denning.

Several unsuspecting fairgoers got a sneak peek at the song-and-dance number as the cast performed a surprise flash mob at the Warren County A&L Fair Friday, Sept. 18 at 4:03 p.m. at the entrance to the carnival.

Included in the cast are Jude McNeal, Shire Mason, Hunter Johnson, Silas McNeal, Layla Sexton, Ryan Sexton, Rachel McGee, Maggie Rodgers, Blakely Martin, Gregg Garrison, Dawn Wanamaker, Delanie Sullivan, Kathy Elam, Robert Elam, Patricia Mason, Nila Dupuis, Mary Collier, Aaliyah Goodman, Norah McNeal, Josie Weismore, Gracie Holt, Madelyn Ford, Gabriel Huber, Finn Killian, Clover Gray, Lily Harvey and Anthony Maldonado.

"The cast and crew for this show have been absolutely amazing," Holly said. "We’ve got a good mix of Warren Arts regulars and newbies. It has been so fun to see them bring these characters to life after having them just living in my head for so long."

As Holly said, an inspiration for creating the show was Carson's desire to create a spectacular set which, fittingly, is another star of the show.

"Carson designed a revolving set that includes a kitchen, basement and the outside wall of the house," Holly said. "Seeing the characters move through the house as it turns is definitely cool."

Tickets are available at the Park Theater website, the box office at 115 W. Main St. during business hours or at the door prior to each show while supplies last. Student tickets are $10 plus tax and adults are $15 plus tax.