By Ben Martin-Katz ’12, Staff Writer

On November 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th, Newark Academy’s drama department electrified audiences with The Heidi Chronicles. The 1989 Pulitzer Prize winning play follows the life of Heidi, played by Bethany McHugh ‘11, from her high school years through adulthood.  The play deals with the issues of finding meaning in one’s life, feeling a sense of separation from one’s friends and family, and compromising personal goals for practicality.  The play also casts these issues in the context of Heidi’s life against the greater world events, especially the feminist movement of the 1970’s .

While the play dealt with serious themes, the play was lightened by the humor and excellent chemistry between the actors. Tucker Iverson ‘12, who played various roles including Ray and Chris Boxer, said that “from the first day of practice, the cast meshed.”  This backstage cooperation was evident throughout the staged performance, as the characters interacted with one another with remarkable ease and candor.  The individual actors all performed extremely well, but it was together that the actors excelled.

Throughout the performances the student actors also maintained a very high level of maturity when dealing with adult and difficult topics.  Camille Kelleher ’14 said that although she “didn’t understand some of the adult humor…the actors handled it well.”  The actors assumed their roles with such professionalism that they brought the characters to life on stage.  Specifically, Jaxon Gruber ‘11 and Nikhil Sawhney ‘11 managed the transitions between lighthearted joking scenes and more serious self-reflective scenes with absolute ease, demonstrating talent and poise in their final time on stage performing the fall drama at NA.  Most of all, Bethany McHugh was versatile in the lead, capturing Heidi’s growth and personal sacrifices throughout the various stages of her character’s life.

Actors and audience members commented on the fact that the senior class in particular was invaluable to the success of this play.  Iverson ’12 noted particularly that “the seniors readily took leadership positions. They inspired [others] to invest [themselves] in roles and to follow their example when they too become seniors.” The seniors’ hard work was visible not only in the acting, but also in the hard work of the stage crew, which helped to move the performance along smoothly. A wonderful soundtrack, compiled by Sam Peinado ‘11 and the sound crew, complimented the set design to create the scenery and support the actors as well.

To conclude with the words of Mr. Parlin, the play was “penetrating, timely, incisive, and deeply moving,” a testament to the time and effort the drama department wisely invested in the piece. The Heidi Chronicles undoubtedly lived up to its hype, and the NA community anxiously awaits the drama department’s next production, the winter musical.