For the fall show this year, the Theatre Company, led by teacher Ms. Juliet McKinley,  has selected The Matchmaker by Thornton Wilder.

“I always pick a show that will challenge the students in our Theatre Company and also be a great learning experience for everyone involved,” McKinley said.

Contrary to last year’s fall show, Great Expectations, which was a drama, The Matchmaker is a comedy that is set in Manhattan in the 1940s. When Horace Vandergelder hires Dolly Levi to find him a wife, Dolly begins to fall for him herself. Mix-ups, mayhem, and hilarity ensue when everyone ends up at the same restaurant that evening.

“It’s going to be a very fun show which will offer a lot of chances for us to try new things and play with comedic devices and timing,” McKinley said.

Auditions took place Tuesday and Wednesday September 8 and 9, and the cast list went up that Thursday. Since then, the cast and crew have been hard at work to put on a great performance in November.

Bridget Darcy (’17) is the stage manager for the Theatre Company, the person in charge of the stage crew. She handles props, set pieces “and often actors.”

“Having that responsibility is difficult. It’s rather stressful because, if I mess up, it could really hurt the production,” Darcy said. “I love the days where we are both getting a lot of work done but also having a good time. As cheesy as it sounds, the Theatre Company is a second home to me. I’m really glad I get to spend my time working with them.” 

Lizzie Moore (’16) is the student director for the Theatre Company, but she will also play the role of Ermengarde in the upcoming show.

“It’s a little difficult to juggle being on and off stage, but I try to separate them and not think about them at the same time,” Moore said. “Working backstage has given me a greater appreciation for the work that Ms. McKinley and the crew does offstage. Ms. McKinley is so creative, and I’m so lucky to be working with her.”

Performances of the Matchmaker are on Nov. 19, 20 and 21.  

There will be other performances from the Theatre Company members in their spring showcase this March and the Play Writing Workshop this June.