The lights illuminating the audience began to flicker and dim, signaling the start of the show. Drama teacher and director Dan Lafferty strolled across the stage, thanking sponsors, contributors and audience members, warning them not to throw tomatoes at the actors, even with the Shakespearian theme of the musical.
The months of hard work of Loy Norrix cast and crew finally paid off Friday, Feb. 4, as the curtains at Kasdorf auditorium began to unfold and the opening night of “Something Rotten” commenced.
The musical ran for two weekends, bringing more and more crowds as the reviews came in.
The cast and crew faced the typical trials and tribulations that come with putting on a theater production.
Senior Libby McFarlen worked as a spotlight operator in the musical.
“My role specifically is a follow spot,” McFarlen said. “So whenever the stage managers want a spotlight on a certain cast member on stage, I kind of make sure the audience sees them [the cast].”
The team also faced some fortuitous obstacles. The opening night of “Something Rotten” was originally scheduled for Jan. 21. An administrative decision however, limited the number of spectators at after school events during the month of January due to an uptick in COVID-19 cases. The musical was postponed and eventually rescheduled for Feb. 4, but the cast and crew had to adapt to a period of uncertainty for a time.
Sophomore Ellen Terezino, who played Bea in the musical, described how the postponement affected her.
“It was sad for me,” Terzino said. “I had made so many close relationships, it was hard for me to take a break for two weeks.”
Drama teacher and musical director, Dan Lafferty, explained the process of carrying out a successful postponement.
“Postponing is extremely difficult,” Lafferty continued, “Because everyone who agreed to be a part of the show, agreed to specific dates and so we had to make sure the postponing dates were available for everyone.”
Even with this postponement, cast members were happy with both their individual performances and the end result.
Sophomore Braeden Davis, who played Shakespeare, was pleased with his performance.
“I thought it went really well,” Davis said. “I think the audience loved it and I loved being on-stage and just showing off for the audience.”
Freshman Fiona Braun was happy with the final product as well.
"I really enjoyed the musical,” Braun said. “I was skeptical at first just because I’ve never done a musical or anything in the past.”
Senior Hailey Yoder, who went to see the musical, gushes over the performance.
“It was really good,” Yoder said, “I actually went to see it twice because I really liked it.”