As the curtains opened and the crowd went silent, Genna Shuster ’16 and Ellis Jones ’17 took the stage to perform the fantastic comedy, Things My Mother Taught Me, written by Katherine DiSavino. The play follows Gabe and Olivia as they pick up their lives and move from New York to their new life in Chicago. The move into their first apartment together is not only a big step in their relationship, but helps them learn that the lessons they learned from their parents, while under appreciated and slightly annoying, are what are going to help them endure all of the challenges they will soon face. Moving day starts off badly with their brand-new chair stuck in the door and continues to go downhill. With the “unexpected” arrival of both Gabe and Olivia’s parents in their two-bedroom apartment, the missing moving van and Gabe’s ruined proposal, the couple must find a way to navigate their way through this new journey that they have embarked on.

Director Victoria DiSalvo ’16, assisted by director Sydney Prince ’16, managed to flawlessly put on an amazing production with the help of producers Clare McInerny ’16,  Leah McKenna ’16, Mary Cecil ’17 and Jones. Shuster as Olivia Keegan and Jones as Gabe Lawson were phenomenal. Not only did they play their own parts well, but together, they really connected to tell the story. The passion between the two was conveyed extremely well and made the play that much better. As the plot unfolded, the two continued to impress with their acting and ability to connect with the audience. Megan Reynolds ’16 and Egzon Muja ’17 played Lydia and Wyatt Lawson, the hilarious parents of Gabe Lawson. The two captured the spontaneous and joyful essence of their characters perfectly. Harry Gale ’16 and Ava Bradlow ’16 played Karen and Carter Keegan, the parents of Olivia Keegan. They were astounding throughout the entire show. The ongoing feud between Olivia and her mother was conveyed fantastically between Bradlow and Shuster.

Jenna Orrico ’16 played Max Mirowski, the lively Polish landlord of Gabe and Olivia’s new building. Alongside Orrico, Lara Neishtadt ’18 played Max’s French sister, Marie Mirowski. The two were sensational and really brought the comedy aspect to the already superb play. Kathleen Kantor ’16 and Michael Hoffman ’17 played Officer Mason and Officer Riley incredibly. David D’Silva ’18 played Sheldon, the hilarious know-it-all sidekick to the officers. Along with Orrico and Neishtadt, Kantor, Hoffman and D’Silva were hysterical. The play did not need a huge cast, elaborate costumes and props or extensive scenery. The authentic performance by the drama club made Things My Mother Taught Me unforgettable.

by Lena Glickman

Photo Courtesy: Jordan Claman

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