Gallery • 3 Photos

Betsy Bertonazzi

Performing as Madam Pernelle, senior Alex Reineke yells during a rehearsal for the upcoming play "Tartuffe." Opening night is Thursday, March 9.

An old story of family betrayal with a surprise ending to capture all is coming to the stage in the winter performance “Tartuffe.” Three performances will be held at 7 p.m. in the Black Box theater on March 9, 10 and 11.

Sophomore Viviana Lebel, Mariane

What made you want to be a part of this production?

“I’ve only ever done musical theater, so I kind of wanted to try something new. I’ve always been interested in it, but never tried it. It’s been cool, just way different than musical theater, with all of the language and stuff, but it’s been fun.”

What have your rehearsals consisted of?

“I love rehearsals. We get there and we do a little mindfulness check-in. We all close our eyes and Mr. D’Agostino leads us through this little mindfulness activity. We check-in with our emotions and all that. Then we all do a check-in where we go around in a circle and say just something that we need to say or want to say. Something about our day, our emotions, how we’re doing. Just really tapping into our emotions and leaving everything out on the table. Sometimes we do some exercises to get into character and then we start running lines. Then we get stopped for notes a lot, staging stuff or language stuff. At the end, we do something called reinforcement where we all go around in a circle and say something that we think was good from the day that we want to keep doing in the future, which is really helpful so that we know what everyone’s preferences are.”

How’s the chemistry between actors been?

“It’s been really close-knit because of all of the exercises we do every day. Since most people have done musical theater the past couple of years already, we’re all really comfortable around each other. It’s very relaxed and there’s no judgment.”

What are your thoughts on the story itself?

“I think it’s a very interesting story and I hope it doesn’t go over people’s heads. From what I understand, it’s this wealthy, royal family and there’s this man named Tartuffe that’s trying to get in the family because he’s a manipulator and an imposter. He wants the father’s money and property and he wants to take over, but he’s being manipulative to gain the trust of the family. Some of the family can see that and doesn’t trust him, doesn’t like him, wants him out, but other parts of the family think he’s the best, including the dad who has the most power. So you can see both sides, which is really interesting.”

What’s your experience with being a lead in a school production?

“I was really excited to get in the show because it’s much smaller and has more cuts. I was excited and it’s a good amount of introduction for me into plays instead of musicals. I have a good amount of speaking but it’s all shorter, not big monologues like the other characters do. It’s easier for me to memorize and that’s been a pretty easy process for me so far. I’m enjoying learning the expressions and how to portray the different emotions because it’s definitely different than on a stage with music.”

What have been your favorite parts being in your role?

“The character I play, her name is Mariane, and she’s supposed to be my age. So I do like that because she’s the youngest and still figuring things out relationship-wise in the show. It’s fun to play with that and the emotions of it. Mr. D’Agostino always says the four D’s: desire, despair, distress and discovery.  It makes it easier for me to tune into those things because she’s supposed to be my age. It’s all very interesting how Mr. D’Agostino explains things because he’s just so passionate about everything.”

What are your feelings towards performing? Nervous? Excited?

“I’m nervous because it’s in the Black Box so it’s going to be smaller and everyone’s going to be able to see everything, and it’s a new thing for me. I’m not too nervous about the projection of my voice, and I’m kind of excited that there’s no singing just because that’s usually stressful and you don’t know what to expect on any given day. With speaking you do and you can control it more.”

Senior Alex Reineke, Madame Pernelle

What made you want to be a part of this production?

“I do a lot of shows outside of Algonquin. Typically what happens is I go to the audition, and I feel out the cast. And so I went to the audition, and I felt like it felt pretty good.”

What role does your character play in the production?

“Her name is Madame Pernelle, and she is the matriarch of the family. Essentially what’s happening is there’s this guy named Tartuffe, and Tartuffe is kind of a scumbag. He’s a scumbag and he’s a liar. He essentially claims to be a religious zealot and sneaks his way into a rich family’s household. And so the entirety of the play is spent trying to kick this guy out of their house.”

What are your thoughts on the story itself?

“Tartuffe is a play written by a guy named Molière. It was written a while ago, during the regency era. It’s pretty fun, actually, and it has a lot of really good commentary on society. It’s also written in verse, which makes memorizing lines easier, but that’s because I really enjoy poetry. Some people who have a lot more lines than I do might be struggling more, but personally, I like it.”

How is the chemistry of the cast?

“It’s generally really good. Everyone sort of hangs out with each other. Everyone has issues sometimes, but we’re handling them like mature members of a theatrical society.”

Junior Justice Huang, Tartuffe

What made you want to be a part of this production?

“I love the cast that we have. I’m close friends with all of them, and since they’re doing it I wanted to join them.”

What have your rehearsals consisted of so far?

“So far we’ve been going over staging. We just went off the books for the first time, and we’re doing super well right now. We’re actually way ahead of schedule and we’re on track to have an amazing play.”

How is the chemistry between actors?

“It’s been really good; we’ve all been really corresponding with each other’s energies.”

What are your thoughts on the story itself?

“The story is incredibly interesting and fun to watch. I watched the play along with Matthew Carreras, and we had a really fun time. It’s something that you can sit down with friends and enjoy.”

How would you describe your character?

“My character is a shallow, deceitful, jealous man, who plays as the main antagonist of the play.”

What is your experience with being a lead in a school production? 

“I really enjoy it. I love being able to express myself through my lines and express this character onstage who is very challenging to portray. His personality traits are nothing like my own and it really forces me to step out of my comfort zone.”

What are your feelings towards performing?

“I am incredibly excited. I love performing, I love this cast and we’re all working very hard to make this an amazing performance.” 

What would you say to someone to convince them to come see the show?

“It’s a social event, you can come with friends, and a lot of other people are going so don’t miss out!”

Senior Daniel Boush, Orgon

What made you want to be a part of this production?

“I’ve been a part of the winter play at Algonquin all four years; it’s something I’ve always done and I’ve always really enjoyed. This year we’re doing a more classical play, so it’s a really exciting opportunity that I’ve never gotten before. 

What have the rehearsals consisted of so far?

“So far we’ve been doing a lot of staging, going through scenes, learning who’s doing what, and getting familiar with the scenes. It’s a lot of learning lines. It’s a lot of just getting comfortable with our characters and understanding the text.”

How’s the chemistry between the cast?

“I think it’s been going really well; I’m close friends with a lot of actors. In particular my scene with Justice Huang in act three is a lot of fun because we’re already really close friends, so it’s just fun to do a scene with him.”

What are your thoughts on the story itself?

“Obviously it’s a comedy, so it’s really funny. But I think it also has a lot of themes of betrayal and trust being broken. So when you see it obviously you can see it and there’s a lot of jokes and fun, but you also see my character Orgon go through this mid-life crisis. He puts his trust in this man only to be betrayed by him. On the surface it’s a comedy, but if you look more into it, it has a lot of deep themes.”

How would you describe your character?

“He’s kind of a goofball. He’s really gullible. He really just has no idea what’s going on. He’s not very smart, but I still think he’s a very sweet and kind man. None of his intentions are wrong and he’s very kind-hearted. But he just falls for very bad tricks.”

What is your experience with being a lead in a school production?

“It’s a really positive experience. It’s always just fun to be up there and act and be a part of the show in a major way. It’s also getting to be a role model for the underclassmen in a way that is also a lot of fun. Being friends with everyone in the cast is also really fun and going to all the rehearsals and hanging out with everyone.”

What are your feelings towards performing?

“I don’t really get nervous for performances. I’ve done it so much in my life that it’s something that I have control over and I know what I’m doing so I don’t get too nervous. But it’s still pretty nerve-wracking during the process of putting it together to make sure that you know everything. One of the things that has helped me so much is getting to work and knowing my stuff so that on show day I’m not nervous.”

What would you say to someone to convince them to come to the show?

“It’s really funny; you’re certainly going to get your money’s worth. It’s one of the most unique plays Algonquin’s ever done. I’d definitely recommend it to someone who just wants to come see a good show.”