The Mighty Ducks "Quack" chant echoed deep within the confines of the Chambers Building, where the usual evening setting is tutoring sessions and night classes.

But this is no typical class; the No Refund Theatre (NRT) is conducting rehearsal for this weekend's production of M*A*S*H.

M*A*S*H, the abbreviation for the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Unit, was the title of the popular 1970 movie and 1972 television series about a military hospital during the Korean War and the escapades and hardships of the medical staff. The stage version of M*A*S*H, written by Tim Kelly, is based on Richard Hooker's novel, not the TV series or movie, said the play's director, Blythe Hart (senior-theatre).

She also said the plot is episodic in nature, as many individual incidents occur simultaneously with a main plot line that mostly takes place throughout the second half of the performance.

Many of the same main characters from the movie and television show are present in the play, which Hart said is tamer than those versions because the play was actually written for high school theater.

She said more physical activity has been added to the production to make it slightly more suggestive and more suitable for a college-aged crowd, but the original script will remain intact as not to violate royalty agreements.

Hart said the aisles and seating area will be used for scenes, fully immersing the audience in the play.

Sets for the show include tents, the operating room of the surgeons and even a football field.

A cast of 21 actors fill the show's scenes with physical and verbal humor, including belching and a particular incident with a dead cat.

She said the reason behind selecting M*A*S*H to direct was based on one of her own childhood experiences.

"One of my happiest memories was watching M*A*S*H with my father," Hart said.

Jeff Domenick (senior-mechanical engineering) is the assistant director for the production, and M*A*S*H is his sixth NRT performance.

He said one of his main reasons that he initially became involved with NRT was for variety.

"I did [theater] in high school," he said. "I didn't want to be doing math all the time."

Jonathan Kroberger (junior-film and video) will play the role of Army surgeon Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce, referred to as a "butcher boy" in the script.

Kroberger said he's never seen the movie or TV versions of M*A*S*H.

"[Hart] didn't want us to watch the TV show or movie if we hadn't already because she didn't want us to impersonate the [original] actors," Kroberger said.

He also said one of the most compelling traits of his character is his ability to keep his sense of humor.

"[Hawkeye] basically has his hands in people all day, yet he still finds time to make jokes," he said.

Another character in the production, Sgt. Devine, the mess tent cook, will be played by Tim Portnoy (junior-theatre).

He described his character as a rather adept con man.

"He spends half the play trying to con people out of money," he said.

One of the obstacles in the play is Capt. Frank Burns, played by Pete Kadushin (sophomore-psychology), who is constantly trying to get Hawkeye and company in trouble. Kadushin said he perceives the rigid nature of his character as childish and retaliating from previous emotional abuse as a young child.

"He's like the kid who got picked on in elementary school," Kadushin said.

Portnoy said the experience of working on the play has been the most fun he's had being in a production.

"It's a good time -- a little too much fun sometimes," Portnoy said.

Domenick said the many rehearsals for this week's performance have been anything but tame.

"It's like a circus with a whole bunch of freaks," Domenick said.