From Evanston to Broadway.

As the class of 2016 walks the halls of ETHS for the last time, we look back on their achievements, particularly those made on the stage. From dancing bananas to carnivorous plants, the last four years have been chalk full of exciting stage projects. Here is a breakdown of the most notable productions of the last four years, reflecting on their highs and lows. Now, it is time for you seniors to reflect, as you reminisce about the plays that dominated the stage.

Freshman Year: 2012

YAMO:

Occupy LOL Street

The election year brought a political theme to the stage in freshman year’s edition of the student-written, directed and acted sketch comedy show. Following a mock election, hilarious, outrageous and original characters dominated the stage, bringing together humor and realistic aspects of politics, from both the past and present. “I remember playing FDR in one scene, that really made no sense,” says Mo Macsai-Goren, class of 2016 member and cast member. “On closing night I fell out of my wheelchair on accident. It was an accident, but it was still hilarious, for myself and for the audience.” Though unplanned, this moment added to the already ridiculously funny humor throughout the show, which, according to Macsai-Goren, came from the collaborative nature of the show. “It was really cool being able to work with such funny people in that open environment,” says Macsai-Goren. “Working with that awesome group of people really was the perfect way to transition into high school.”

*Spring Musical:

Little Shop of Horrors

Telling the story of Seymour Krelborn, a meek flower shop worker who becomes acquainted with a carnivorous plant from outer space, Little Shop truly was a Spring Musical unlike any other. Using music of the early 1960s, coupled with dark, dry humour, the small cast of less than 30 students electrified the audience in ways that could only have been accomplished on the intimate stage of the Upstairs Theatre. This show, full of comedy, romance and exhilarating musical performances proved to be a wild choice for the musical, straying away from the typical style of ETHS shows . “It’s a really interesting and unusual piece of theatre, from the giant talking puppet to the spinning stage,” says Annie Kelley, senior, who performed in the show as a freshman. “It was great, definitely having that crazy fun experience for one of my first shows at the school.”

Sophomore Year: 2013

YAMO:

Orange You Glad I Did Say YAMO?

Talking fruit, Mariachi Bands and Iphone love stories came to life on the stage to make Sophomore year’s YAMO one for the ages. A loose storyline of love among a banana and an orange allowed the show to be a changing masterpiece with every scene, few of which related to the over arching plot of the show. The free-flowing nature of the show was preserved brilliantly by every member of the cast, as they worked hand in hand with their peers in many different ways to create comedic gold. Senior Julia Mates says that the cast collaboration made the show one of the best she has been a part of. “We tried different endings to almost every scene in the show. We ended up with some really hilarious stuff for the scenes,” says Mates. “In one scene I was playing a fortune teller. The scene ended with the theme of the show, when an orange swept me off my feet, as a banana stood next to us, heartbroken. It ended up being one of the funniest moments in a fantastic show.”

*Spring Musical:

Thoroughly Modern Millie

While the previous year had seen a small, intimate musical become a great success, 2013’s production of Thoroughly Modern Millie was quite the opposite of the last show, yet just as charming. Great performances, both musical and theatrical, propelled this classic story of love and deceit in the Big Apple to great heights, captivating audiences with massive dance numbers and touching love songs. Two world class performances by upperclassmen were the main driving force behind the show, however many members of the class of 2016 participated. According to those in the show, the age variation of the cast allowed the underclassmen to have a learning experience, courtesy of the older cast members. “One scene that stands out to me is the scene where the audience was first introduced to the actress who played Muzzy. She put the audience in a trance with once scene, and never let go,” says Gavin Farrow, senior and cast member. “It was also the only scene when I had any lines, which were directed at her. I loved working on that scene with her every time we did it.”