LWA’s production of 1984 captivates its audiences

Lawrence Woodmere Academy rang in the new year with the highly anticipated play “1984”, adapted from George Orwell’s novel. Director of Performing Arts Kathleen Glasberg opted for a more serious play this year.

Almost two months before the show premiered, the drama department printed posters with the famous line “big brother is watching you” and displayed them all over the school. Students were curious as to what the signs meant … little did they know, this was Glasberg’s way of getting the word out. The 12th grade English classes were also studying Orwell’s novel to better understand the play.

After months of rehearsing, the show’s weekend finally arrived and cast mates were both jittery and excited. Junior Joshua Torres wowed the audience as the protagonist, Winston Smith. Seniors Michele Copeland and Dylan Phelan also lit up the stage as the secret party members O’Brien and Parsons. Audience members were astonished by the overall performance.

“The audience seemed very engaged,” said senior Chris Smith, “and I can understand why — the students truly were fine actors on that stage. I think that’s because the show was meant to be taken on a more serious level than previous plays. The actors were able to show the different characters they could transition into.”

By the night of the second showing, everyone was far more relaxed. For senior cast members including Justin Greene, Michele Copeland, Spenser Berry and Dylan Phelan to say that they felt nostalgic would be an understatement.

“The Saturday performance was very bittersweet,” said Greene, who also displays his literary talents as the other LWA Antic column writer. “Oddly enough, it ran better than Friday’s, but the realization of it being my final non-musical high school production is disheartening.”

The entire cast of “1984” did a fantastic job and if you were unable to attend, have no fear: The spring musical, “The Wiz,” is just around the corner.