When the overture starts, adrenaline rushes through the actor’s body as they are about to enter the stage for a three-hour-long musical performance, staying on their feet while experiencing love, murder, loss, and struggles.
Students from Londonderry High School have stepped into the dark and thrilling world of ‘Sweeney Todd’, bringing their unique flair to the classical musical about the infamous barber of Fleet Street.
Lancers Vannessa MacDonald ‘25, Alex Barnes ‘25, Peyton Scanlon ‘27, Rebecca Solomons ‘26, Elisa Thomas ‘28, and Carter Blanco were all cast in the Majestic Theatre’s production of Sweeney Todd, which performed at the Derry Opera House May 9-12.
Senior MacDonald stepped out of her comfort zone, where she participated in her first community theatre show outside of school. Throughout the process, she had to prepare for the role while overcoming challenges.
“Some of the harmonies were difficult, especially when in a Sondheim musical,” MacDonald said. “I am proud of myself because I felt that I was able to grow.”
Throughout the process, MacDonald enjoyed creating friendships and memories with her new friends. When you are in an extra circle that takes up a lot of your time, it’s important to remember that the people you surround yourself with rub off on you.
“I liked that I got to meet new people from all over the place,” MacDonald said. “[The show] introduced me to community theatre and I would do it again.”
These Lancers were very lucky walking into a new space that they were unfamiliar with, but they ended up having Lancer Nation by their side to help bring magic to the new project. Previous members of the Majestic Theatre, Barnes and Thomas, welcomed their classmates with positive energy and warm smiles.
Junior Rebecca Solomons valued the relationships she made at a new theatre company after finding her new forever friends.
“I loved how everyone in the company was so friendly, whether it was one of the directors or someone in the cast,” Solomons said. “It made it feel like a safe space.”
