Stagefright’s Big Hit

Salve Regina’s student-run theatre group sets new standards this week as their musical production sells out its entire run.

Stagefright Theatre Company put on a three-day viewing the week of March 2, for their production of the Addams Family Musical. Originally only planning for three shows, the group was blown away by the support for their work.

“Never in stagefright history have we ever sold out an entire run,” student director, Jillian Brooks-Duval, says. “Not only that–we sold out and then had to add another show, which then sold out. That’s like, the best thing that could happen,” she goes on. Responsible for directing and choreographing the show, Jillian tells us it has not been easy getting the show together.

With only a month to prepare, rehearsals were being held multiple times a week, and often even twice in a day. The time crunch certainly served as a stressor, with Jillian admitting she would have nightmares about something going wrong. But, she credits her cast and crew for working hard, saying, “I had a good team behind me.”

One member of that team is freshman frontrunner, Winder Landaverde. Winder played the role of Uncle Fester in the musical production, and says of his theatre family, “It’s just nice to have that sense of community…and over time you do build that relationship with them.” He also let us know how proud he is of the way they pulled it all off, saying, “This show was definitely a step up from what they [Stagefright] have done before.”

It definitely seems that way. The Megley Blackbox Theatre, where the shows were held, was not just packed with people on opening night. The anticipation for a great show was palpable among the audience. Chatter during intermission was filled with admiration for the cast and crew. Performers had the opportunity to ad-lib where they wanted and took their chances to slip in political jokes and innuendos, which had the house shaking with laughter.

Speaking with audience member Saarah Papineau, a freshman student here at Salve, it is clear the jokes were appreciated. “I don’t think I would’ve liked it if the jokes weren’t in there,” she says of the show, adding that she while she only went to support some friends, she enjoyed herself far more than expected.

One thing is for sure about the impact of this musical production: it won’t be forgotten easily.