2008 Woodie Awards
Campus Spotlight
Students bring storybook to stage
Diana Castaldini, Features Editor, Emiritus
Issue date: 4/16/08Section: Features
The Chappell Players' fourth and arguably most instructive production this year, The Sneetches and Other Stories by Dr. Seuss not only brought the rhythmic tempo and vibrancy that is characteristic of Seuss's stories, but incorporated an exuberance that can only be attributed to a true passion for performance.
Composed of four separate stories that each provide their own moral lesson, The Sneetches served as the Chappell Players' annual children's play and was performed for elementary school students from surrounding areas.
The first story, "The Sneetches," presents a race of peculiar, pot-bellied yellow creatures who live on a beach, half of which are adorned with a coveted star on their bellies.
The Sneetches without stars are alienated and ignored, and therefore susceptible to a manipulative marketing scheme formulated by the sly Sylvester McMonkey McBean, played scrupulously by Freshman Justin Phillips, who offers them the chance to use his "Star-On" machine for three dollars each.
When the old star-bellies realize they have no method in distinguishing themselves from the others, McBean provides the opportunity to use his "Star-Off" machine.
This oscillation continues until all Sneetches are left without stars and are able to recognize that neither type is superior.
Told by the articulate and animated narrator "Izzy the Bunny," played by Sophomore Sarah Goncalves, this story is essentially a parable on prejudice and illuminates the futility of judging others based on race, class or appearance.
Goncalves, who made her debut in a leading role in The Sneetches, explains what separated this show from all the others she's been part of.
"Narrating the entire story was definitely a new and satisfying experience for me," said Goncalves. "I fed off the kids' energy and because I had the most lines, there was considerably more responsibility. I now feel a lot more confident as an actor here."
The tale of "The Zaxs" underscores the necessity of compromise. In this dynamic and comical scene, a North-going Zax, played by Freshman Alfonso Marquez, and a South-going Zax, played by Freshman Taylor Pedane, find themselves face-to-face and refuse to move around each other.
Composed of four separate stories that each provide their own moral lesson, The Sneetches served as the Chappell Players' annual children's play and was performed for elementary school students from surrounding areas.
The first story, "The Sneetches," presents a race of peculiar, pot-bellied yellow creatures who live on a beach, half of which are adorned with a coveted star on their bellies.
The Sneetches without stars are alienated and ignored, and therefore susceptible to a manipulative marketing scheme formulated by the sly Sylvester McMonkey McBean, played scrupulously by Freshman Justin Phillips, who offers them the chance to use his "Star-On" machine for three dollars each.
When the old star-bellies realize they have no method in distinguishing themselves from the others, McBean provides the opportunity to use his "Star-Off" machine.
This oscillation continues until all Sneetches are left without stars and are able to recognize that neither type is superior.
Told by the articulate and animated narrator "Izzy the Bunny," played by Sophomore Sarah Goncalves, this story is essentially a parable on prejudice and illuminates the futility of judging others based on race, class or appearance.
Goncalves, who made her debut in a leading role in The Sneetches, explains what separated this show from all the others she's been part of.
"Narrating the entire story was definitely a new and satisfying experience for me," said Goncalves. "I fed off the kids' energy and because I had the most lines, there was considerably more responsibility. I now feel a lot more confident as an actor here."
The tale of "The Zaxs" underscores the necessity of compromise. In this dynamic and comical scene, a North-going Zax, played by Freshman Alfonso Marquez, and a South-going Zax, played by Freshman Taylor Pedane, find themselves face-to-face and refuse to move around each other.
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