By Lilly Buist / Editor in chief
This year, the spring play will continue its repertoire in murder mysteries, a similarity to last year’s production of “Deadline.” However, in contrast, “Pandemonium” by JD Atkins focuses on the murder of Zeus in a world where Greek and Roman gods live incognito in New York City.
The play, directed by English teacher Caroline Clayton, will take place at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 17, 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 19, in the NPHS auditorium.
“This show in particular is very drama-filled. We have a huge cast this year, so it’s gonna be really fun to see how Clayton’s gonna block it and form the show. I’m excited,” junior Allison Windisch said.
Windisch is new to the high school theater scene, as she last participated in a production during her eighth grade year. Despite this, Windisch has earned the lead role of Minerva Owler, a private investigator in the city.
“Some of her lines are super sarcastic and she can be a little mean, so I don’t really see myself in that part of her. But some of her lines are really sarcastic and it reminds me of me because I love being sarcastic. It’s my favorite thing to do,” Windisch said.
Additionally, senior Jude Gibbs plays Sergeant Mars, the general of the NYPD.
“Everything needs to get done,” Gibbs said. “There’s no funny business. But also, he cares deeply about his job and wants to make sure he does a good job, whatever he does.”
Gibbs is looking forward to his final performance with the NPHS theater program.
“It’s definitely sad, but also, I understand that it’s kind of just a chapter that’s gonna end,” Gibbs said. “I accept that it’s my last one and that it’s sad, but also, I’m excited to see what comes next.”
Gibbs is also excited to make new friends during his last theater cycle.
“It’s just a good outlet for me to express myself. It’s also where I made most of my friends and had the most of them in high school. A lot of people that I have made friends with graduated in the past few years, so I’m just looking forward to getting to know more people and possibly making friends with (them),” Gibbs said.
Junior Adrienne Romberg plays Styx, but she wasn’t always planning on partaking in this role.
“Mrs. Clayton had somebody drop out, and she asked me, ‘Can you be evil?’ And I was like, ‘I don’t know.’ And she was like, ‘I need a yes.’ And I was like, ‘Well, my brothers would tell you I’m evil, for sure,’” Romberg said.
Romberg looks forward to performing in a play with such a contrasting theme from those she participated in previously.
“I think it’s such a cool concept with the Greek gods in New York, and I’m such a Greek mythology kid. I love the Percy Jackson books, and I was obsessed with the myths in middle school. I just think it’s a fun way to bring Greek mythology into the high school and into this generation, and I’m excited to have conversations about Greek mythology,” Romberg said.
Windisch encourages anyone interested in theater to try out for a musical or a play, regardless of grade level.
“There are a lot of fun people to be around, and it’s very welcoming. I didn’t feel like an outsider just because I joined junior year at all,” Windisch said.
