Woodside Drama has its annual Fall Play, but this year, it is directed by the new drama teacher, Samantha Borthwick.
This year’s fall play, You Can’t Take it With You, by George S. Kaufman, is a story about an eccentric family with a daughter, Alice Sycamore, who’s supposedly normal and falls in love with Tony Kirby, who is also supposedly normal and is the son of a wealthy, orthodox banker.
“If you’ve ever seen the Addams Family musical, that musical is based on this play,” said senior Anica Gaggar, playing Alice Sycamore.
With the new drama teacher, changes to the program have been anticipated; however, Borthwick is dedicated to continuing the legacy of her predecessor, Barry Woodruff, by getting as many people involved as possible. She is organizing the Tech Club to ensure those who want to be involved behind the scenes can be involved. She is also starting outreach projects, trading tickets with other schools so that students at Woodside can see other schools perform and other schools can see Woodside perform.
“I was very surprised when coming here about how much support the Woodside community has given me and how much love and willingness they have to continue the legacy with little changes along the way,” Borthwick said.
With the community’s support behind Borthwick as a new director, the cast hopes that the play will help establish her as it is her first show at Woodside, seeing how the production all comes together.
“I hope [the audience] understands who Ms. Borthwick is as a director, and maybe they’ll come watch other shows,” Gaggar said.
The themes within You Can’t Take it With You are ones the cast is hoping will resonate and linger with the audience, also inspiring them to get involved in future productions or support the program through attending the productions.
“I really hope [the audience] sees themes of acceptance within the family that they can carry on into their lives,” junior Avery Hartman, playing Essie Sycamore, said. “Also, just [the] themes of love and community that the arts can bring.”
Gaggar and Hartman have been involved with the Woodside Drama Department for their entire high school career, four years for Gaggar and three for Hartman, appearing in both the Fall Play and Spring Musical. The Woodside Drama Department provides a place for students to express themselves and get involved with the Woodside community, producing a show that invites everyone to come and watch.
“It’s such a welcoming community and it’s so worth it to join, even if you don’t have experience or may have stage fright or anything,” Hartman said. “It’s such a loving community where I’ve really found my place with my favorite people.”
The Fall Play is Nov. 21, 22, and 23, with student, staff, and senior tickets $5 and general admission $10. This performance will be at the Woodside PAC on Nov. 21 and 22, with shows at 7:30 p.m., and the November 23rd show at 2 p.m.
“We want the audience to take away that wealth is not everything,” Borthwick said. “Money can’t buy happiness, and we hope that they understand that in order to find happiness, do what you love surrounded by the people you love.”
