HAFTR performers jump into show time

A sold out auditorium, new lighting and sound systems, freshly blown out hair, picture-perfect makeup, flashing cameras, and a cast of eager actors can only mean one thing — Show Time!

As actors changed into their costumes and had their makeup done backstage, more than 250 parents and students poured into the auditorium on April 28, to see the HAFTR drama department present “The Corpse Bride” by Tim Burton. A second show was performed on April 29. Over 25 percent of HAFTR students were involved in the production, and the audience was excited to see their hard work pay off.

As the curtains were drawn, performers moved to their set locations and prepared for show time. Students reminisced about the late night practices, dedication, and hard work put in by every student in the drama department. All of the HAFTR Players truly wanted this to be an amazing play.

“It’s my second year in the play, and being apart of the HAFTR Players is like being a part of another family. We all get along so well, and we have great memories to take away from this experience. Every single person in the play, big part or small, worked so hard to put this all together,” said sophomore Lauren Berlyne.

Despite all the drama that occurred in the drama club, the students were able to pull everything together, producing an exceptional production. “The play has come together to be one of HAFTR High School’s best yet,” Berlyne added.

In “The Corpse Bride” Victor Van Dort (played by Jake Levine) is supposed to marry Victoria Everglot (played by Alexandra Lumerman). Practicing his vows at a cemetery, his fate changes. He finds himself married to Emily (played by Ella Dahan), the corpse bride. Victor is torn between Victoria Everglot and Emily. All of the skeletons (played by Amanda Kanefsky, Aden Teperman, Sara Fruchter, Lauren Berlyne, Jenna Kaufman, Mollie Zanger, and Danielle Noah) try to convince him to stay with Emily, but Victor still loves Victoria. To complicate matters, another man, Lord Barkis Bittern (played by David Stein), is ready to take Victor’s place as Victoria’s groom. In the end, Emily realizes that to love you have to be free, and with that she lets Victor marry Victoria.