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Jerling Jr. High community supports an actor in its midst
opprairie.com the orland park prairie | December 27, 2018 | 7
Frankfort director’s
film ‘Heavens to
Betsy 2’ has encore
at Emagine
Megan Schuller
Assistant Editor
Frankfort native and film
director Robert Alaniz and
several of the actors with
whom he recently worked
call the southwest suburbs
both their set and their home.
And members of the
“Heavens to Betsy 2” cast
and crew got to celebrate
Announcements
Welcome home!
their work close to home,
when they attended the encore
premiere of the movie
on Dec. 6 at Emagine Entertainment’s
Frankfort Theatre.
“Heavens to Betsy 2” was
Alaniz’s ninth film, and he
made it clear that the movie
is a crossover between a
Christian and general audience
film.
“You don’t have to be
Christian or even religious
to appreciate it,” Alaniz said.
“The sequel is a continuation
of the first story, but I never
intended for there to be a sequel.”
Gatto’s Restaurant in New
Lenox, the Frankfort Public
Library, and a quiet Frankfort
neighborhood were featured
in the film in different
scenes.
Homer Glen resident Gary
Gow, a science teacher at
Jerling Jr. High School in
Orland Park, played the selfish
television show host Tandum
Dackery. In addition to
being a teacher and actor,
Gow also coaches softball
and directs the school’s annual
musicals.
“It’s so heartwarming to
see so much support from
colleagues and friends,”
Gow said. “This is a good
opportunity for me to pursue
my craft of acting without
having to move far away to
Los Angeles or New York.”
Science teacher Sarah
Callis works alongside Gow
at Jerling. She was one of
many teachers that came out
to support their colleague in
his acting career.
“It’s fun to see him play
a despicable character, because
that’s not him at all,”
Callis said. “He is so softspoken,
so to see him cast as
a jerk is hysterical.”
Alaniz said Gow is a natural.
And the director plans to
work with him as the lead
character in a future film.
Chicago-area native Jim
O’Heir, known for his role
as Jerry Gergich in the NBC
sitcom “Parks and Recreation,”
is in both the original
“Heavens to Betsy” and the
sequel.
“If [Jim O’Heir] gave a
real sermon, I’d listen to it
all day,” executive producer
Michael Stoskus said with a
laugh, of working with him.
Despite being a prominent
character in the movie,
O’Heir was only in town to
shoot for four days, according
to Alaniz.
High time for tea
A video message from
O’Heir played before the
movie, apologizing for his
absence at the premiere and
telling the audience about
his experience with filming
both movies.
“I was unsure if I had
the time to do ‘Heavens to
Betsy,’ but once I read the
script I knew I had to do it,”
O’Heir said. “Next thing I
know, I’m in Chicago, filming.”
O’Heir called the movie a
“sweet message” with a lesson.
“Watch what you wish
for,” he said.
American Girl Holiday Tea program returns to Orland Park Public Library
Program participants (left to right) Joanna Kasper, Emily
Anderson and Martyna Myszynska, all of Orland Park, sit
with their dolls during the program.
Photo submitted
Spc. Anthony Karas. Karas is returning to his current
hometown of Orland Park after serving as an infantryman
in the United States Army for the past three years. He
has completed training missions in Australia and the
Philippines during his time serving. Thank you for your
service Spc. Karas and welcome back home!
Love, Mom
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Stephanie Thomas, Preschool Services coordinator for
Orland Park Public Library, welcomes everyone Dec. 15 to
the American Girl Holiday Tea.
Photos by Laurie Fanelli/22nd Century Media
Sofia Castillo (left) and Riley Meekma, both of Orland Park,
work on crafts during the event.