'Errors' win for SHS drama
Published on March 24th, 2004
STONEHAM, MA - The wave of excitement rippled through the air as soon as the Stoneham Drama Club began to recognize the familiar comments about their choice for an entry into Dramafest: William Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors.
The judges began by describing the play with general comments before actually announcing each of the three drama companies selected to perform at Hancock Hall in Boston as part of the DramaFest finals.
"As soon as they mentioned a seaside romp, I knew they were talking about our show," said Stoneham High student Dan Pecci, who also won an All-Star award for his portrayal of Antipholus of Syracuse and Antipholus of Epheseus. "You never want to get too excited and then be shocked if it turns out to be someone else, but I think we all got a little excited."
Maybe even a little more than excited.
"I was having a hard time breathing when we found out," said Allie Landers, who played Abbess. "It really was a wonderful feeling for everyone to come together and put on a great performance to get there."
The Stoneham High School Drama Club stands as one of three finalists in Dramafest after nearly 100 high schools entered the theatrical contest, an annual competition that gives high school companies a set amount of time to finish a play of their choosing.
The trip to the finals and accompanying Boston performance marks the third time in 20 years that Stoneham High School has made it to the final competition (2000 and 1989 were the others), and was a special treat for the seniors involved with the finals-worthy performance of "Mirrors" four years ago.
Actress Joelle Kross was also recognized as an All-Star performer for her role as Adriana.
"I think there were only four of us that worked on that show, so it's nice to be able to share this with everybody," said Stoneham High senior and stage manager Cat Dunham. "It's incredible how fast it all came together, and how well this group of people works together."
"The Comedy of Errors" Director and staff advisor Danielle Catalano went over approximately 20 scripts with the Drama Club Officers -- Pecci, Jonathan Palazzolo, Landers, Mark Trant, Cat Dunham and Anne Fardy -- before they decided on Shakespeare.
"I kind of gave them a little nudge in that direction because I thought this was such a talented group," said Catalano. "There isn't a lot of actual stage direction in the show, so it gives the cast a lot of freedom to create their own interpretation."
Catalano had high praise for the entire cast and crew, and wanted to make sure the "kids were recognized for everything they did. The show is entirely the creation of the students -- the set, the costumes, the lighting, the props, even the slapstick and physical comedy -- actually, especially the comedy."
"My kids are brilliant at discovering those things (the implied action behind Shakespeare's words) and every funny moment you see on stage is their own invention."
In addition the acting and script interpretation, the set design -- created and implemented by Fardy and Jen Gay -- was also honored with an All-Star Award at the Dramafest semi-finals.
"I've worked on a couple of sets over the last few years in drama club, and I just got a picture in my head of what it should look like," said Fardy, who was in charge of design, construction and painting of the set. "I thought it really came together well."
One of the backbones and recognized members of the cast has been sophomore Marc Picariello as Dromio of Epheseus.
"He just came out of nowhere and started doing the plays, and has been brilliant," said Catalano of the All-Star performer. "This is a really flamboyant and showy part in the play, and he's done an incredible job; it's given him a chance to really show off his talents."
Picariello said that he always enjoyed acting, and figured "why not join the Drama Club, since I've been acting since I was a little kid."
The 16-year-old didn't really expect the play to make it as far as it did, because he felt "a little bit shaky" about the performances, but Catalano saw it all come together in the semi-final performance two weeks ago.
"I don't know where they summoned the energy from, but they had the performance of their lives at the semi-finals," said Catalano. "Everything just went off without a hitch, and I was so proud to see it."
The club has rehearsed the play since early December, and is actually juggling rehearsal schedules with their planned spring musical "Annie" that involves most of the 'Errors' cast and crew. Combine the steady rehearsals with the constructive comments from the judges, and Catalano is hoping to get one more show-stopping performance from her Spartan thespian club.
"These kids have amazed me all throughout, so I'm really looking forward to this last time performing the show," said Catalano, in her third year as staff advisor to the drama club.
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