BY KATELYN BUCHALTER
The annual fall comedy will take place this Thursday (11/17) and Friday (11/18) at 7:00pm. The play, FOOLS, captures dynamic characters and complicated relationships in a small, European village.
Junior Alexandra Nardone plays one of the lead roles, Sophia, a character who is forced to lift a curse that was put on the village. “To prepare for the show, we have been rehearsing every day after school. Rehearsal and preparation for the comedy includes character analysis, memorization of lines, as well as bringing our characters to life through dialogue, costuming, etc,” said Nardone. “We learn how to not only portray our character, but truly become them for the time being.”
Student actors work to learn about and explore their characters and really access their personalities. “I’m portraying the lead villain, Count Gregor. His whole character is he’s the town leader, but just awful with women,” said junior Matthew Wrate. “He has been very fun to play.”
This show will explore a new depth of comedy. “Wordplay comedy is vastly different than slapstick,” expressed sophomore Meghan Valanzola who plays Lenya Zubritsky, Sophia’s mother. “It was so much fun getting to understand the character and learn a new form of comedy at the same time.”
The cast has been practicing hard in cooperation with faculty Stage Crew Director Jennifer O’Reilly, faculty Director Jessica Tosonotti, and student Director Samantha Bonino, a senior, while also working to promote the show. “I am looking forward to being able to share all of mine and my cast-mates’ hard work with my peers and the Old Bridge community,” said Nardone.
All of the time and effort has helped the cast bond and improve their performances. “I love how the cast is so close and how our chemistry blends into the show,” shared freshman Camryn Burniston, who earned the lead role of Leon.
“Viewers should expect a heartfelt, relatable, and, especially, comedic performance,” Nardone confidently expressed . “I believe that the audience will thoroughly enjoy it and have a good laugh.” Students can purchase tickets for $10 each in rooms 117 and 601. Make sure you don’t miss this great show!
Camryn Burniston, as Leon Tolchinsky, asks Snetsky the sheep herder, portrayed by Emily Stein, if she has found her sheep. 
Mishkin, played by Noah Feldman, Slovitch, played by Megan Borsilli, Yenchna, played by Maggie Conklin, and Leon Tolchinsky, played by Camryn Burniston discuss the terrible curse cast on the town. 
Camryn Burniston, as Leon Tolchinsky, delivers a monologue about his exciting new job as a school teacher in the town of cursed town of Kulyenchikov.
Posted on 11/15/22
Photos by Katelyn Buchalter
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