Peter DiMaggio’19 and senior Jack Reifeis perform “Apples and Oranges.” (Julia Gurevitz’19/Media staff)

In what was one of the most memorable stage shows in Academy’s recent history, the cast and crew of this spring’s musical,The Theory of Relativity, presented stupendous performances on the evenings of April 19-21.

In this non-traditional show, scenes didn’t follow a continuous plot line, and there was minimal dialogue among the characters. All parts were either songs or monologues.

The physical setting of the action was never explicitly stated, so the set was free to take any form the director and crew wished. Each actor appeared in a number of different scenes. Characters who weren’t in a direct part of the current scene sat on stools or stood at the back of the stage. 

Given the unconventional nature of this play, we asked director Stefan Farrenkoph about his selection of  this year’s musical.

Why and how did you choose the show?

I really liked the concept, so I listened to the first song, which I think is beautiful. As I looked into it, I saw that it offered the opportunity for almost the whole cast to have major, featured moments, as opposed to the traditional musical with a couple leads, a few features, and a chorus. We had done a lot of traditional shows in a row, and I thought it was important for our educational mission to include a different kind of show. So we picked The Theory of Relativity.

How would you describe the show to anyone who didn’t see it?

I suppose I would ask them to talk to someone who did see it. Folks who saw it say that even with explanations beforehand, they had no idea what it was like, and that was part of what made it so powerful. Each moment of the show is entertaining and meaningful in some way, and they aren’t really connected by a story as much as by the theme that we are all connected, that we are nothing without the people around us.

Was this a different directing experience for you?

In some ways, yes. It offered a lot more flexibility and room for creativity and imagination, from me, from the other adults, for the cast and crew. Musical theater is story and entertainment and art, but the ratios can change. This was  had a bit less of the first thing and allowed for a lot more of the last thing, and that was really challenging and gratifying.

The Theory of Relativity was a unique and unforgettable performance. Bravo to Academy’s talented cast and stage crew.

Cast 

Seniors: Julia Leet, Taylor McGowan, Emily Munster, Jack Reifeis, Yas Salon

Juniors: Mira Bhasin, Claire Budzik, Peter DiMaggio, Sidney Edson, Abigail Fisher, Marcus Grewal, Aylah Mendenhall

Sophomores: Sanskruti Admane, Evan Farrenkopf

Freshmen: CJ Leet, Olivia Pierre-Louis, Cydney Platt

Stage Crew

Scott Dillon

Seniors: Vince Allen, Zac Beck, Keith Condray-Raderstorf 

Junior: Katie Anderson