Fall Play & Auditions!

Fall ... makes me think of a new drama season.  For many high schoolers the Fall is usually a time to hang up their musical theatre hats and prepare for straight plays.  Most schools in this area (New Jersey) have a fall play and spring musical.  Paramus High School is no different.  I am proud that PHS has brought Mrs. Sarnoski and I on to work on the Fall play!

This year we will be performing a new play: A Family Reunion to Die For.  Sounds creepy!  It's not - it's actually very funny and tons of fun for both the cast and the audience!  Essentially the few remaining family members of the Knotting Family are getting together at Aunt Beatrice's Bed and Breakfast ... on a tropical island ... during a terrible storm ... with no authorities able to get to the island until the storm is past ... oh yeah, and family members are being murdered!  CRAZY! I know!  Throw in a couple of mimes (yes, the ones who get trapped in boxes), a nasty hotel critic, a disgruntled cook, some actors, squirrel hunters (a-huh, there are no squirrels in the tropics) and some anthropologists and you are in for a good time!

The best part about this show is, well, the dead family members can be seen - by the audience!  Tons of audience interaction, lots of jokes and did I mention murder!  I know - you can't resist, but you must ... at least until December!

We just wrapped up auditions yesterday.  WOW - the talent was awesome! Some great monologues, some funny, some heart breaking (I even found myself in tears over one actors performance).  Today, the creative crew is meeting to discuss the cast and create the list.  It's going to be tough!  We had 28 people audition for 18 parts.  We are also considering understudies (probably 5) - you never know!  Which means at least 3 people have to be cut.  This is not something I am use to.  I hate saying NO THANK YOU to people.  Not when it comes to acting.  Honestly, Mrs. Sarnoski and I have never done that.  We usually produce musicals so it's easy to find the perfect space for every person.  But in a play the cast is the cast and there usually is no ensemble.

We will soon announce the cast - please check our website at paramustheatre.org for more information.

Break a leg,

Mr. Ferriero