Once in a Lifetime

Once in a Lifetime, performed by the Burrell Theater Company, was a great experience full of marvelous sets and fantastic performances. The Theater Company once again demonstrated their mastery of the performing arts, with sets standing as tall as the stage lights and costumes perfectly resembling the late 1920s. 

The play follows a trio of vaudeville actors who move to Hollywood in the wake of Al Jolson’s The Jazz Singer. May Daniels (Haley Swauger), Jerry Hyland (Matt Crane), and George Lewis (Camden Seidel) have fallen on hard times and have the idea to start a new life in Hollywood. On their travels they meet Helen Hobart (Katie Pahlman), an esteemed writer and May’s old friend. While traveling they convince her to write an endorsement of their new venture, a voice and acting school. It all goes well, if only for a short bit, and the trio meets studio executives and actors alike. May turns two actresses into well-spoken high gusto women, Jerry makes friends in high places, and George courts a young lass, Susan Walker (Braelie Krahe). 

Act Two follows the trio after some time living in Hollywood and shows how they’ve adapted. The school falters, Jerry is too busy for George and May, and George is ignorant of it all. Studio executive Herman Glogauer (Christian Litterio), the trio's employer, shuts down the school and fires them. All the while May and Jerry struggle with their relationship. George gives Mr. Glogauer the business, and in return Mr. Glogauer gives George a director role in which he reinstates May and Jerry. 

From here Act Three shows George directing films for Glogauer and completely messing up, causing Glogauer to fire him, but once the raving reviews come out, George is reinstated with more vigor than ever. May leaves for New York after George is fired and Jerry leaves to find her shortly after. George sends May a telegram expressing his need for her and Jerry, so May returns to help George. Jerry follows and the reunion is bittersweet. Jerry and May reinvigorate their relationship and George has grown from foolish dolt to remarkably successful dolt. May and Jerry leave George with full confidence that he will do great things. 

Although the play was long, fans were numerous and had great things to say. Alumni and former teachers said, “Camden Seidel was just remarkable as Dr. George Lewis," who just may be the world’s most fortunate dolt, she continued. "That Katie Pahlman she is something special.” Her performance as Helen Hobart, who is a marvelous caricature of the time, was a moment of perfect casting.

Senior Connor Kariotis said “whoever played Susan did great. I thought she was really funny.”  Junior Caroline Kelley and Senior Hannah Brooks held signs for Braelie Krahe and Jordon Kemp saying "Go Jor Jor!" and "Go Brae Brae!" The students that went to the play enjoyed the performance. We all look forward to Bye Bye Birdie in the spring.

Writing Contributor: Jason Wagner

Photography Contributors: Matt Crane, Mr. Prelosky, Mrs. Aranyos