Milton’s fall performing arts schedule features original comedy sketches, a new Class IV musical tradition and Shakespeare’s most famous star-crossed lovers.
Inspired by the Ziegfeld Follies and other revue shows, the Class IV play is a collection of songs, poetry, short scenes and music, specifically tailored for the Class IV actors. The material explores the journey from birth to death and the production is titled: The Class IV Follies: The Tree of Life. There are songs from modern musicals and the classics; scenes from plays, sketch comedies and films; and poetry ranging from Shakespeare to Maya Angelou. The Class IV play is a long-standing performing arts tradition involving the entire class.
“It promises to be a fun, exciting, and moving evening featuring our amazing Class IV actors,” says Eleza Moyer, performing arts faculty member. “We hope to make Follies a Class IV play tradition. Also fun to note: many upperclassmen are volunteering their time in roles such as assistant music director, assistant director, stage manager and featured choreographer.”
The fall play is a modern take on Romeo and Juliet, featuring 11 student actors with Clara Wolff (II) as Juliet and Devon Whalen (III) as Romeo. The setting is an abandoned warehouse in an unnamed city where a group of youths regularly hang out. They decide to put on the Shakespeare tragedy. Performing arts faculty member Shane Fuller says the production uses the stage in a unique way—an alley theatre. Students are playing multiple characters, mixing up gender and incorporating some dance and movement pieces.
And the final production of the fall is the 1212 Play, which brings a taste of Saturday Night Live to Wigg Hall. Wicked Sketchyis an original production made up of sketches written and performed by students. In this production, there are 13 actors, three of whom are Wicked Sketchy veterans. Performing Arts Chair Peter Parisi said this is the fourth production of Wicked Sketchy and there will be at least one returning character from previous performances.
Class IV Follies begins Thursday, November 2, and Friday, November 3, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, November 4, at 7 p.m.
Romeo and Juliet begins Thursday, November 16, and Friday, November 17, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, November 18 at 7 p.m.
Wicked Sketchy begins Thursday, November 30, and Friday, December 1 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, December 2 at 7 p.m.
