Emma Hutchins
Features Editor
(View more pictures from And A Child Shall Lead)
After enduring late night rehersals during “hell week,” losing a cast member to illness, and completing their first full run through of the play on Wednesday, the cast of And A Child Shall Lead performed with rave reviews.
There was much praise for cast’s performance of the drama. “I thought it was really incredible and powerful. The actors and actresses played their parts so well, that every time they were afraid, I felt it too,” senior Mikey Himmel said. Mikey’s sister is in the play.
Junior Sean Petersen, who plays Maurice Elias, thought the audience helped bring out the emotions Mikey mentioned. “I think the impact of the audience being there helped how we performed,” he said.
Ryan Timberlake, a junior who plays Reuben Hachenberg, also thought that the opening night went well despite sick cast members. “Although we lost Ryan Stifflemen [to illness], the cast members floated really well with covering his lines, and when we needed to get heavy we went there,” he said.
Besides the acting, the music featured throughout the play left a strong mark on the crowd. “The music brought out more emotions in the play; it was the only thing that held these kids onto life,” junior Lexi Bodick said.
Actors also expressed their hope that people who saw the play would gain more perspective about World War II and the horrors of war in general. “I recommend that people see it because the issue of the Holocaust is discussed in school, but I think people need to understand it in more depth,” Sean said.
It seems that Sean’s goals were reached. “The play was very touching and definitely moved me,” Lexi said. “It spread awareness about how war affects people and how real it is.
And A Child Shall Lead will be playing this Friday and Saturday October 30 and 31. Tickets are being sold for $12 near the NCHS auditorium.
