“I like to say that there are three things that make theater,” said Theater Director Jeff Good to the audience at the opening to this year’s spring play. A space in which to perform and actors to play the characters are crucial, he explained, but most importantly, theater needs an audience. “Without you guys, this doesn’t happen. Without you guys, it’s just a rehearsal.”
And while audience participation usually means listening politely and clapping and laughing when appropriate, this spring’s play also included other moments of participation. In addition to answering to call and response opportunities, the audience was also relied upon to decide Shakespeare’s next top fool, which also happens to be the title of the play. More on that in a moment.
In Shakespeare’s Next Top Fool, written by Lavinia Roberts and produced in special arrangement with Big Dog/Norman Maine Publishing, Shakespeare’s characters meet in a talent show that seeks to determine the next top fool. Hosted by Roselind (As You Like It) and Touchstone (also from As You Like It), the play is chaos from the start. The judges include Julius Ceasar, Bianca from The Taming of the Shrew, and Macbeth; the contestants include the clown from Othello, King Lear’s fool, and the gravediggers from Hamlet. In addition, the camera crew, consisting of Montagues and Capulets, can’t stop fighting, and security guard Nick Bottom (from A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream), complete with donkey ears, keeps trying to take other people’s jobs. Then the judges begin to disappear. Bianca is dragged offstage by her sister, Caesar returns to the senate, and Macduff argues with Macbeth. Needless to say, the next top fool is never chosen, and the plot devolves into a dance party.
“This show was a fun way to introduce our students to a variety of Shakespearean characters, and perhaps pique their interest for when they read the bard’s plays in the future,” reflected Mr. Good after the performance. “And while the characters on stage never manage to pick the next top fool, our audience voted, and the People’s Choice Award for Shakespeare's Next Top Fool went to Touchstone from As You Like It, played by Brad Kim.”
The boys did a terrific job with their lines, keeping the energy high and the wit quick. A special congratulations goes out to faculty actors Jenny Sabados and Steven DeVellis.
Cast
- Rosalind: Mykyta Gerbut ’25
- Touchstone: Brad Kim ’24
- Puck: Christopher Deoki ’25
- Fairy: Tigger Tanglertsumphun ’25
- Julius Caesar: Charlie Costello ’26
- Bianca/ Witch 3: Jack Stratton
- Macbeth: Terry Langetieg ’24
- Lady Macbeth: Tony Li ’24
- Nick Bottom: Conley Chen ’24
- Soothsayer/ Katherina: Cole Brown ’25
- Othello: Alexander Kernisant ’24
- Desdemona: Ms. Sabados
- Clown/ Beatrice: Kai Uemura ’25
- Chorus: Jayden Oh ’24
- Regan: Annabi Diallo ’24
- Goneril/ Witch 1: Ethan Okafor ’25
- Cordelia/ Witch 2: Sungjune Park ’25
- Lear’s Fool/ Macduff: Chun Cheung ’24
- Gravedigger 1: Mana Petrini ’25
- Gravedigger 2: Sefa Petrini ’25
- Benedick: Mr. DeVellis
Crew
- Production Manager: Tymofii Panasenko ’24
- Front of House Manager: Gavin Wilmot ’25
- Lighting Tech: Sam Hunt ’26
- Sound Tech: Bob Liu ’25
Production Team
- Set Construction: John Burritt
- Costumes/Make-Up: Kyla Joslin
- Artwork: Barrett Capistran
- Assistant Director: Dan Perricone
- Director: Jeff Good