Holiday Shmoliday Kicks off Winter Season

Post date: Dec 19, 2016 12:58:52 AM

By Camille Williams '18

Pictured above is the official poster for Holiday Schmoliday. The show was a success, selling out all three performances from Dec. 9 to Dec 11. Camille Williams // The Chatterbox

Holiday Shmoliday, a comedy by award winning playwright Lynne Elson, was the latest Junior High play performed in the black box theatre. The cast of Holiday Shmoliday had practiced since October under Director Helen Raymond-Goers.

The story of Holiday Shmoliday takes place at the advent of the holiday season and chronicles a teenage Jewish boy’s journey to embrace his own culture, as well as other lifestyles. Lincoln Messerly, ‘21, plays the protagonist, Samson. “I am a thirteen year old angsty teenager who complains about everything. Basically everything I am and want to be in life,” Messerly said. Samson experiences most of the social pressures of the average teenager: a crush, identity issues, and a school bully. Yet, in the end he finds a way to overcome all his doubts in an unexpected way.

The cast is a mix of fresh and familiar faces from the theatre program. Olivia Busche, ‘21, is enjoying her first show at Walnut playing Samson’s love interest, Callie. “I really like my character; she’s like the strong, smart person. And I feel really happy I was cast as someone that’s so strong, beautiful and smart,” Busche said.

Janaya Render, ‘21, plays the school bully appropriately named “T-Rex”, who she describes as “violent and mean” to just about everybody, especially Samson. When T-Rex vows to beat Samson up if he sings a Hanukkah song for his school choir, Samson begins to feel ashamed of his Jewishness.

That’s when things get interesting. The “Dreidel Man” comes and whisks Samson away on a flying dreidel on a magical journey across time and space.

“They go to Mexico, they go to Indonesia, they go to Sweden, they go to England and Canada,” said ensemble member Sophia Rooksberry, ‘22. The ensemble of the play creates comedic effects during Samson’s adventure and helps create a fun-filled atmosphere. She admits that the show is “strange and cheesy,” but that it is nonetheless a hilarious tale for all. To understand what she’s talking about, here’s an example: a talking pet fish named “Gefilte” (after the traditional Jewish entree called gefilte fish), accompanies Samson on his travels. The characters take advantage of numerous interesting props, such as the sombrero Gefilte wears in Mexico as they visit a nativity celebration.

Rooksberry’s favorite scene is in the “Old Country,” where Samson witnesses a traditional Hanukkah celebration. “We get to do a really cool dance, we get to sing, and we get to have fun with all the people on stage,” she said.

According to another ensemble member Claudia Quintaba, ‘21, the only thing more memorable than the thrill of performing on stage is the bond she has built with the cast. “I’m just glad to be part of the show with you guys,” she said to the smiling crew members around her. “Awww, we love you Claudia!” they replied.

Overall, this play is sure to be a laughter-filled extravaganza encompassing a heartfelt play about acceptance. When it comes to taking pride in your own culture, or respecting others, the cast of Holiday Shmoliday hopes the audience takes their message to heart.