A 1950’s diner, a movie star and a pink Ferrari—all major components of the Bonita Vista High (BVH) drama department’s comedic fall production of “It Happened on Route 66.” The production’s opening night took place at the Bolles Theater at 6 p.m. on Oct. 25.
The show’s plot follows Sally, a celebrity-obsessed waitress, who assists movie star Lovey Lamour in running away from her highly anticipated Hollywood wedding. The drama department intends on performing the show for three nights, with their final performance on Oct. 27. The drama department started rehearsing the play in August. Along with rehearsals, Director and theater production teacher Roasmaria Sias explains the extensive preparation that went into managing the practical aspects of the production.
“We’re fortunate enough that we have a first-period theater production course. Our access to the theater is pretty limited, so the time we have together during class is precious,” Sias said. “We meet almost every class period, if not once a week, for a thorough meeting to discuss creative designs.”
With such an elaborate production process, the drama department faced multiple challenges. According to Sias, one of these challenges was ensuring paperwork was turned in on time to the Associated Student Body (ASB) to allow the department to use funding for materials. Another challenge she experienced was working through student absences.
“It’s difficult if we don’t get immediate paperwork turned in for funds to purchase everything we need. Whether it’s royalties, scripts, costumes, paints, if we don’t turn the paperwork in on time it really sets us back a week, if not two weeks,” Sias said. “Some of the other [challenges] are students who are absent. That also sets us behind, and usually when that does happen, then I have to have other students that step up and they fulfill those roles.”
However, the drama department was ultimately able to overcome these challenges. One way they managed to do so was through the help from the senior assistant director Kali Swanson. Sias credits Swanson with the management of the various roles within the drama department. She explains how Swanson enables her to take on the vast responsibilities that come with directing the show.
“I learned throughout the years to ask for help since I am one person producing the show. I have my wonderful assistant director, who I put a lot of that burden on. She puts some of that burden on the stage manager and it trickles down until there’s no student sitting for a long period of time with nothing to do,” Sias said.
Beyond assisting in directing the show, Swanson also plays one of the lead roles, Cookie, and takes on the role of choreographer. With a multitude of responsibilities delegated to her, Swanson explains what her role is in making the production happen.
“I oversee the run-through and the reading of lines. I work with Sias to give input and feedback to craft the scenes to be played out on stage, in the way that us directors have the vision,” Swanson said. “I also take up a lot of tech roles. If there are sets that need to be painted, then I’m coming in to paint them. If people need their hair and makeup done, I’m coming in. I’m filling in wherever needs to be filled in.”
The play ended with a dance number as each cast member took their bow. The addition of song and dance was a distinctive moment in the play Swanson heavily urged to be included in this year’s show. Before this year, the drama department had never included a musical number in their show.
“I’ve been pushing for [a musical number] all four years that I’ve been in drama. Sias finally, let everyone get a taste of it. It took a lot of hours just working with the entire group and working with individuals to get the dance to where it is today. I’m really proud of the results,” Swanson said.
In addition to advocating for the inclusion of a musical number, Swanson also openly expressed her desire to do “It Happened on Route 66” for this year’s play after it was suggested by her classmate last year. Swanson shares that she was drawn to “It Happened on Route 66” because of the humor prevalent in it.
“One of my classmates proposed this play last year and when she proposed it, I fought so hard for us to choose it because I knew that this one was going to be a hit. I think this one was the funniest option and it was the one that people had the most freedom with,” Swanson said.
The prominence of humor throughout the show was especially amusing to participate in for sophomore Jeremy Berke. Berke plays the supporting role of Babs, the local auto mechanic on route 66. Berke’s character garnered many laughs from the audience at the show’s first performance. He shares why he feels playing comedic characters like Babbs is such a rewarding experience.
“I love the laughs. I love the attention of the crowd. Comedic roles like Babs in shows like [“It Happened on Route 66] are awesome because I’m a fun guy,” Berke said. “I like fun characters and I feel like this show was a perfect opportunity to play one. I think the audience enjoyed it, telling by the amount of laughs I heard.”
Ultimately, Berke explains that the extensive work the drama department put into making this production happen was made worth it by the audience who came to support the show. He describes how having people support the play adds to the significance of each performance.
“I love everyone who showed up and is going to show up for these performances. It means a lot to us [the cast]. Not just because of ticket sales but because people are seeing the thing that we put so much effort in,” Berke said. “It is really rewarding and it makes that final moment where the curtains close so much more special.”
