by Olivia Casabona, Class of 2025
I sat down with Sarah Coughlan, fellow member of the Class of 2025, in the days leading up to the opening of the Kennedy Catholic Players’ 2022 Spring Musical: Something Rotten.
CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS TO THE SHOW!
What can we expect for the show this year?
This year, the cast consists of around 20 performers and we are a pretty small cast. Despite how small that number may sound, we are definitely pulling it off! Everyone involved in the show (onstage and off) has been putting in a tremendous amount of work. Something Rotten has many tap breaks, dance numbers, and a lot of tight harmonies in songs that require everyone to really work together.
What’s your opinion on the choice of musical for this year?
I personally love Something Rotten for a variety of reasons. It has a fun, upbeat, and diverse score with a hilarious book and definitely a lot of memorable characters. The show is packed with references to musicals that even the audience members who are not familiar with theater will find hilarious and the show definitely has something for everyone who sees it.
When did you first find your passion for theater?
I first found my passion for theater when I was around 6 years old. I remember watching the movie adaptation of Annie with my parents and I became obsessed with the soundtrack. I would walk around singing “Tomorrow” and “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile” every day. I found out a few months later that my school was doing a production of Annie that year and I ended up getting the role of Molly. Ever since then, I kept doing more school musicals and decided that theater was definitely my passion.
What’s it like being a freshman with a leading role?
Well, I came into auditions with an open mind and I did not expect this to happen at all! I just wanted to see what the program was like here and I wanted to make new friends while doing what I love. When I found out that I was given the opportunity to play Bea, I was so excited. There have been a lot of lines to memorize and songs to learn, but it has just been so much fun getting to play this role and bringing my own interpretation of my character onto the stage.
What is your experience so far with the Kennedy Players?
Everyone involved in this show is just amazing. I have made so many friends since joining the cast and it is so great to see them every day at rehearsal. Even when we have long rehearsals that can occasionally last around 7 hours, time flies because of how much fun we have. I am so grateful for the friendships I have made and am so lucky to have the best castmates ever.
How would you describe the cast and crew?
The cast and crew are so much fun to work with and definitely a family to me. As I already mentioned, we spend a lot of time with each other and I feel like there are so many strong bonds that have been made. I absolutely love being around everyone in the cast and crew.
Have there been any struggles or issues so far?
The only major “issue” that we have really encountered so far has to be the issue that everyone is dealing with right now: COVID-19. There is always a busy rehearsal schedule of six days every week and it can really set us back if there is ever a quarantined cast member. We have been extremely careful in rehearsals by keeping our masks on at all times and distancing ourselves especially while singing. I’m not sure what the show may look like in the end in regards to wearing masks during the show and other factors, but we will find the safest option that looks best on stage.
How do you and your fellow crew and cast members bring God into your mission?
Before a show opens, the cast goes to the St. Mary’s Chapel in the commons and has a small prayer service and mass. I have been told about this by older cast members who have been to the pre-show mass and it is a beautiful tradition.