Post date: Nov 3, 2017 6:01:28 PM
This past weekend, audience members agreed that “Time Flied” as they watched the Prep Players performance of All in the Timing. The performances were held Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Tully Gymnasium.
All in the Timing is an offbeat collection of several short, comedic plays, according to nytimes.com. Each vignette, which is about ten minutes, revolves around a ridiculous plot, such as Leon Trotsky philosophizing about life as he slowly dies from a mountain-climber’s axe wound to the head
As opposed to a conventional play, a play consisting of vignettes presents unique challenges.
“I think the challenge of an evening of short plays is that you are asking the audience to hit the reset button over and over in their heads. They always have to be ready to start at the beginning of a new story and get invested all over again,” said Mr. Jason Summers, the director. “The actors also have to keep the momentum going, so that the evening never lags. You want to aim to put the audience on a rollercoaster ride that doesn't stop.”
While the cast and crew acknowledge these potential problems, they also believed that All in the Timing presented some exceptional opportunities.
“Because the play consisted of short vignettes, I was able to bond with the cast of my specific play more, and it enabled more people to act in lead roles,” said sophomore Biagio Iannace, a member of the Prep Player. “Additionally, it definitely showed the potential of the Prep Players as a whole.”
Despite his concerns, Mr. Summers decided on performing All in the Timing with the Prep Players because of the 35 member cast, the largest in Iona’s history. The eight one-act plays, thus allowed each member of the cast who auditioned to receive a part.
Upon reflecting on the large cast, Mr. Summer said, “I think it speaks volumes about the quality of work we have done, particularly the last few years. It's wonderful for me to see this group growing and expanding.”
After rehearsing until 7 p.m. each night the week leading up to the performances, the cast and crew's hard work paid off as they were met with a full house on Friday night’s performance.
Senior Jack Kristensen, who attended opening night said, “The Iona Prep Players' performance of All in the Timing was unforgettable. The devoted cast embodied their characters so well that it was hard remembering the actors on the stage were my friends and the people I see every day. I had many great laughs and will definitely be at the spring production!”
-Michael Bachmann ‘20