Two ‘singular sensations’ in the Five Towns

Ask yourself: what are the odds of meeting someone who has the same name as you? It’s probable. But what if that person also shares the same birthday, pets, and hobbies with you? This, on the other hand, is not as likely. Now, ask yourself: what are the odds that two high schools, no more than a three-mile radius from one another, would perform the same musical on the very same weekend?

Lawrence and Hewlett high schools performed the iconic musical, “A Chorus Line,” Nov. 20 -23 with overlapping performances on Friday and Saturday. In addition to this coincidence, both high school drama directors, Richard Buckley from Lawrence, and Walter Lastowski from Hewlett, repeated a musical for the first time, after more than a decade of showcasing a different play every year. Despite the two schools’ doppelganger productions, the experience of putting together a show and the bond that forms between a cast is always unique.

Before a cast is able to bring two-dimensional characters to life and tell a story, a lot of hard work, time, and energy is brought to every rehearsal leading up to opening night. The main leads and dancers spent hours practicing after school and at home. Auditions were held on the first week of October, and the cast only had about a month and a half to put the show together. Mr. Buckley, who announced his retirement after 27 years of directing and teaching chorus at Lawrence High, believes that it is important to “keep the play fresh” and exciting. Andie Baum, a senior and avid member of stage crew, said that it is “fun to watch the progression of the show,” for as it turns out, a month and a half always ends up being just enough time to produce a quality show.

Many of Lawrence High’s cast members felt connected to “A Chorus Line” because it is a play about a dance audition that delves into the lives and psyches of dancers who are desperate to get the part. My cast mates and I were all able to relate to the pressure of auditioning and the characters’ desire to perform, which is what helped us portray our parts so realistically.  

Along with the joy and excitement of performing in front a crowd, what really makes being a part of a musical memorable is the family-like bond that develops within the cast. “I have been a part of drama since middle school, and the atmosphere on stage has always been so warm and accepting,” said senior, Brandon Morales, who played Bobby, an erratic character who acted outside of the social norms in order to be noticed.

As I packed my jazz hat and dance shoes away after our last performance, I already became nostalgic for what had ended only five minutes ago. “A Chorus Line” is the last musical of my high school career but I know that the memories I created with my cast mates will stick with me always. Though I might forget the lines I once memorized so feverishly, I will never forget the people I shared this incredible experience with.