The White Plains High School Theater program is back and starting the year off strong with energy and entertainment. The first play of the year, “Play On” is a comedy by Rick Abott and is written as a play within a play. The plot is filled with irony and drama: the stage is set with a troupe of actors who are trying to rehearse for a play while the playwright and director keep changing up the script.
Act 1 features the actors attempting a small run through of the show; Act 2 is the dress rehearsal, the day before the show and the time when things start going wrong; and Act 3 is the opening night of the show. “Everything is going wrong in the funniest way possible,” said Sebastian Casanova, an actor in the play.
As opening night approaches, new twists and turns contribute to the calamitous storyline. This play provides a real-world view of the excitement and drama that goes on behind the scenes of a play.
Actor Nico Garcia said that fortunately, real-life rehearsals are going really well, with excitement mounting as opening night draws ever nearer. “Things are certainly coming together,” Garcia said.
Overall, enthusiasm is evident among the young actors and actresses, many of whom are new to the WPHS theater scene. Every year the theater club hopes to gain new members and increase audience attendance with each performance.
Casanova noted how glad he is that the freshman have adapted so well. “We all get along, and we can relate to them a lot because we were in their position not too long ago. They’re clearly very excited to be on the stage, and it’s great to see the new age of theater is so eager.”
A musical arts advocate, Casanova said that what makes theater at White Plains High School so worthwhile is the adrenaline rush. “Just watching a show is nothing compared to the feeling of being on stage or even backstage watching your friends perform…You feel like you’re on top of the world.”
To support the arts community at WPHS and keep this spirit alive, Theater Unlimited suggests bringing the friend that you just cannot hold your laughter in with (yes, we all have that friend) because the theme of the year is comedy.
Performances will be held, as always, in the Little Theater, and show dates are on the evenings of November 7 and 8. Tickets will be sold for $10 each at the door.
