One event that can be looked forward to every spring is the Cabrini College Theatre’s spring musical production. This year audiences will be able to enjoy the Steven Sondheim musical, “Merrily We Roll Along.”
The Loquitur believes the theatre program at Cabrini is one of the most hardworking and dedicated programs we have seen.
It works with its small space and produces extraordinary shows, creating full houses plus extra attendees every night.
At times, more seats are added to our 80-seat theatre in order to accommodate more people. Last year’s production of “The 25th Annual Putnam Country Spelling Bee” fit over 100 people by placing audience members on the stage to watch the show. With “Spelling Bee,” placing audience members on the stage worked because of the story line and high level of audience participation. With “Merrily,” it’s different. It is impossible to fit more people than the theatre capacity allows due to the nature of the show and cast members entering and leaving from everywhere.
The cast and crew work hours upon hours to perfect their lines, practice their blocking and work with props. It saddens the Loquitur to think that for how much hard work the cast and crew put in, there is only a tiny theatre for them to show off.
Imagine what the productions here would be like if we had a giant stage. The theatre’s set designer designs marvelous sets for huge theatres and has pulled off many illusions with his designs. He leaves the audiences in amazement when they walk in. The current theatre has definitely served its purpose and has impacted the lives of many students, but the students and directors have outgrown the current space and deserve something more.
Yes, the saying rings true that “it’s the company that makes the theatre and not the building,” but the students and directors have poured their hearts and souls into these shows and they are limited by the space. The company is bursting with talent and it only gets better every year with their hard work and dedication.
By performing a complex and difficult show such as “Merrily,” the company has excelled and has proven that they can do any show they put their minds to.The effect that the theatre has on some of the cast has made a lasting impact. Some have incorporated theatre skills into their futures after college. Now as a senior and four-year Cabrini theatre member, Maddie Iacobucci has been accepted into Villanova’s M.A. theatre program.
Unfortunately, due to the space, the theatre group has to make sacrifices in that there are certain shows they can’t produce. With a bigger space, there is no show that this talented group of people couldn’t perform, especially with their amazing director, Dr. Thomas Stretton, who dedicates countless hours to the theatre.
Another tribute to the success of the theatre is Alpha Psi Omega, which is the new national theatre honors society. The new charter members recently held their induction ceremony that officially started the Cabrini chapter, Alpha Zeta Phi.
The Loquitur feels that the theatre brings confidence to students who are a part of any show. We feel it brings all different kinds of people together. It is something that students are proud of when they complete a show. The theatre is a place where you make new friends along with being with the old.
Cabrini, it’s time. Build a theatre.
