By Cara Martinez
Staff Writer
The dramatic play “Picnic” was filled with relationships, love, and comedy which was presented fairly well by the Drama Department.
Each cast member played their roles wholeheartedly and realistically to create a passionate performance. Due to a well-decorated stage and an interesting, sentimental storyline, drama’s presentation of “Picnic” is both captivating and emotional.
“Picnic” is a drama written by William Inge which takes place in the 1950’s in a rural Kansas town during Labor Day Weekend. The two main characters Madge Owens (Calyssa Frankel), and Hal Carter (Duncan Bardeau).
Millie Owens, (Rachel Kay), is Madge’s sister who dates Hal Carter at the beginning of the play. The plot thickens as an unexpected twist within the character’s romantic desires drastically change.
“Picnic” consisted a great balance of comedic and dramatic scenes and the characters did an outstanding job rotating from one to the other. The cast consisted of only 11 people, which made it impressive that the characters were able to keep the play intriguing despite the minimal cast. The scenes were very relatable which made the play interesting, and entertaining to watch.
Additionally, the play’s stage created a realistic representation of the 1950’s time period. The stage had two houses which were detailed and realistic in that the characters were able to go inside. The performance utilized several backdrops including ones of the sunset and sunrise which created a down-to-earth feel of the picnic.
The play also consisted of several intimate relationships that made the play more emotional. Flo Owens showed a mother-daughter relationship with her daughter Madge. The actresses play their roles so well that the scene feels like a real mother-daughter moment, and these intimate moments are widespread throughout the play and allow the audience to connect to the characters.
The two sisters Millie and Madge showed a commendable contrast of differing personalities with Madge, known as the “pretty girl” who boys chase after, and Millie the smart girl with less dating experience. These characters offered two different relatable perspectives, appealing to a wider audience.
The opening of the play set the mood and theme for the remainder, and it introduced each character thoroughly. In addition, the plot was very straight forward and this, coupled with well developed characters, made the play very easy to follow.
The play’s ending was dramatic and emotional, which caught the attention of the audience. The cliffhanger ending was intriguing
In conclusion, “Picnic” was filled with amusing scenes, relatable characters, and a gorgeous and realistic set. The cast produced the impressive representation of the 1950’s drama without a hitch, showcasing their incredible talent.
The play was presented on Nov 6 and 7 in the small theatre with shows on Nov 12, 13, and 14. Tickets for pre-sale cost $12 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens and are also sold at the door for $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors.
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