Features Editor
Mask and Zany’s Production of Candide, directed by Mrs. Pittner, enjoyed a successful run from Nov. 9-11. The bawdy, chaotic, nature of the adaption made the show very entertaining.
The show’s title character, Candide, played by Ben Dupont, is the illegitimate nephew of a German Baron, Blake Poulsen. He grows up in Baron’s castle, taught by the scholar Pangloss, deftly handled by Daniel Scanlon. Candide falls in love with the Baron’s daughter Cunégonde (Hope King). When the Baron catches the pair kissing, he banishes Candide from his kingdom. Candide is then drafted into the Bulgar army, flogged repeatedly, and does everything in his power to be united with Cunégonde while being accompanied by Cacambo (Phoebe Liucci), Dr. Pangloss, sheep, and others.
Freshman Katelyn Cowen played Ben Franklin, Surgeon, and Slave Bladder. Freshman Sophia Danis played Unlucky Beggar, Revolutionary number two, and Mademoiselle YouYou. Freshman Caleb Ferraez played Bulgarian Soldier number one, Don Fernando, Don Issachar, and Sheep. Freshman Logan Palau Woman Soldier, Sexy Woman number one, and Ensemble. Freshman Anna Prager played Rattoli and Ensemble. Freshman Blake Poulsen played Baron Thunder-Ten-Tronckh, Grand Inquisitor, and Martin the Hyper-Active Pessimist. Freshman Meghan Siano played Lucky Nun, Mademoiselle MiMi, and Revolutionary number one. Freshman Jonah Silberman Heinrich Thunder-Ten-Tronckh, Biscayan, and Sheep.
Junior Aidan Lear played Executioner number one and Sexy Woman number two. Junior Lola Dardzinski played Paquette, Cunégonde’s chambermaid. Junior Lauren Adler played the Amazonian Queen, Drill Sergeant, and Sheep number three. Junior Jaya Batra played the Bulgarian Deserter, Hot Grandmother, Woman Soldier, Amazonian Princess, and Sheep. Junior Tara Chumbley played Viceroy of Inquisition. Junior Sarah Harrison played Inspector General, Voltaire, and Sheep number two. Junior Grace Leister played as Woman Soldier, Horse number two, Bulgarian Soldier, and Ensemble. Junior Zach Meixler was part of the ensemble.
Senior Sophia Carroll played the Baroness Thunder-Ten-Tronckh, woman soldier, Madame, Amazonian Princess, and Horse #1. Senior Isabella Mailer played Executioner number one, Sheep, and slave auctioneer. Senior Grace Zander played The old woman with only one buttock.
The stage crew featured a collections of extremely talented people. The set design was done by Morgan M. Manfredi; lighting design was created by Michael Howell; Tyler Horn served as the technical director; choreography was crafted by Bernadette Del Prado; properties artisan was Emma Repasy; Ryan Keating was the stage manager; Quinn Reinert was ASM; Michael Howell served as the light board operator, and sound operation board was handled by Bryan Houlton. Technical Consulting was provided by McAfee Madding, art by Grace Leister, and Ms. Mary Dupont was the volunteer coordinator. T-shirts were provided by Kampus Klothes, and videography services were provided by Mr. and Mrs. Giorgi and Alex DiGena. Amy Parker did the production photography and the snack stand was managed by Ms. Mary Dupont.
Lola Dardzinski and Hope King were both in charge of the Marquee board. The carpenters who built the set were Tyler Horn, Michael Howell, Henry Chouteau, and Jerry Sun. Costumers were Amy Parker, Wendy Meckes, Parker Miele, and Sophia Borzilleri. The electricians were Michael Howell, McAfee Madding, and Henry Chouteau. The Run Crew were Deanna Bock, Sophia Borzilleri, Joey Buck, Henry Chouteau, Alex DiGena, Chloe Elias, Christian Keating, Matthew Lieber, Kaylee Lynch, and Jerry Sun. McAfee Madding Jr., was also in charge of sound design.
Mask and Zany’s Candide was comical from beginning to end. It was a strong start to the year for Mask and Zany. This spring Mask and Zany will be performing Pippin.
Those interested in seeing Candide should see Mrs. Pittner for a DVD.
