Ashley Stracco ’28
Guest Writer
This past Saturday, the tornado was inching closer by the minute; however, our dedicated theater students did not have time to be scared. Fifty-two of our most talented Holy Cross students were anxiously awaiting their time to shine. This year, the theater department is putting on two productions: one musical, “Into the Woods,” and one play, “Six Characters in Search of an Author.” Additionally, Alternate College Theater (ACT) is putting on one play titled: “Dial M for Murder.”
“Into the Woods” is being directed by our very own Theater Department Professor, Meaghan Deiter. This musical is extraordinarily creative as it is tied together through a story that involves a baker and his wife on an adventure to begin a family. It spirals through many different fairy tales, including Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, and Cinderella.
ACT co-chair, Erin Ledwith, is a senior this year and will be performing in “Into the Woods,” and could not be more excited about the pursuit. In an interview, she shared, “I’m excited because the concept for the show has always intrigued me, and the soundtrack is breathtaking. It will be a transformative experience.”
This deep and somewhat whimsical tale is sure to be a hit. Make sure to get your tickets well in advance, as they will sell out. Let’s all prepare to take our seats during the weekends of February 5-7 and February 8-15 to be transported into a fantasyland.
Continuing into the realm of metafiction, we have Luigi Prandello’s 1921 play, “Six Characters in Search of an Author.” This tale takes the setting of a theater rehearsal in which six family members interrupt the commotion to find a playwright to write about their complex and tragic family drama.
Sophomore Anna Edwards was exceptional in last year’s theater department production of Enron and will be performing in this year’s department play as well. When asked about her upcoming involvement, she had nothing but good things to say. “I get to work with some of the most fun, kind, and incredibly talented people, and also get to share with the first-year students in the cast what a gift it is to work really hard and put something really interesting and thought-provoking together! Mark your calendars, we hope to see you there.” If you need to find this author for any reason during the weekends of Oct. 31–Nov. 2 or Nov. 6–8, look no further than the PAC, as she is ecstatic to see what this show has in store.
Last but not least, ACT is putting on a show that is most definitely not about “love”: “Dial M for Murder.” However, keeping on this theme of “love”, this show follows the main character who is an ex-tennis pro in his pursuit to murder his wealthy wife. His motive? Her inheritance and her affair.
Sophomore Angela Connelly was superb in her role in last fall’s ACT production of At The Wedding. When interviewed about her thoughts on “Dial M for Murder,” Angela shared why she thinks that people should come see the production. “As a student-run organization, we all give one-hundred percent and in turn love to see an enthusiastic crowd, and we appreciate the support. Also, this play is a classic. It’s full of intrigue, deception, and betrayal. Plus, it has great dialogue and will keep today’s audience guessing. I think people will be well entertained!” Students can look forward to seeing the main character out-scheme the cops throughout the weekend of Nov. 20–23. A nice pre-Thanksgiving treat for us all.
At Holy Cross, a quick turnaround from auditions to the cast list is unmatched. What is also unique is that, rather than sending an email, a physical copy was posted on the fourth floor of O’Kane at 12 pm on Monday, Sept. 8. Everyone is very excited and ready to give their all to these shows. Make sure to congratulate your friends and to come support them this fall and spring!
Featured image courtesy of College of the Holy Cross Theatre Department
Copy Edited by Colette Potter ’26
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