This spring, the theatre program will perform the play “The Skin of Our Teeth.” The three act play resembles three different time periods: the ice age, the floods, and World War I. The plot revolves around the central protagonists within one family, and the central theme is that humanity prevails.
“Every act there is some major disaster but in the end they come together, stronger than ever, because family survives no matter what happens,” said David Fortunato (’17), who plays Mr. Antrobus in the second act.
The play addresses past tragedies and was originally performed in 1942, but Fortunato thinks that the encounters are relevant to what society is facing right now.
“The way [theater teacher Chris] Rose has been explaining it to us is that he wanted to do it because he feels that it is reflective of what is happening today, with like our current political issues,” Fortunato said.
“I think this play speaks to our need to collaborate and understand each other in order to survive,” Rose stated in an email.
Danielle Saman (’17) describes it as dramatic comedy, but it wasn’t the play she auditioned for. “[Mr. Rose] hadn’t made up his mind yet, so we didn’t know [the play],” Saman said. “So we just did our best, and he changed it, and I think everyone was happy in the end.”
“After auditions I realized we had too many great actors – and the play I was planning to produce simply would not serve all the talented and qualified actors we have at HHS,” Rose stated.
The husband and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Antrobus, and their son, Henry, will be played by different performers in each of the acts. Saman, who plays Mrs. Antrobus in act two, said that the original play only allowed about ten parts.
Brandan Iversen (’17) assumes the roles of Mr. Antrobus, the bingo caller, and Henry. He hopes that the play will be well performed and well received. “My hopes for this play is that the audience enjoys it and hopefully everyone in the cast has an amazing time bringing the spirit of humanity to life,” he said.
Rose said this play will be different from anything they’ve done before. “The set will be visual—and the projections will be “back” projected by the tech crew,” Rose said.
The play is scheduled to show on March 16 and 17 in the auditorium.