Issue 3:Layout 1 3/11/2020 9:26 PM Page 6

PAGE 6, The Wagnerian ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT March 13, 2020 { Arts & Entertainment } ‘Sister Act’ Sundance standouts is devilishly “Miss Americana” shows her By SAM CHILTON ‘good girl’ persona is genuine; de- funny Staff Writer spite the long list of exes and con- troversies in the media over the By DANIEL NUGENT “MissAmericana” was the open- years, Swift is just trying to be Staff Writer ing premiere documentary for the good. , which In fact, Swift reveals it’s the one Wagner College Theatre pre- kicked off the event for hundreds of part of her image she’s always sented the musical comedy “Sister amazing international and Ameri- cared about, “being good,” show- Act” to kick-off the second half of can independent films. ing that all the negative buzz that’s followed her career is a case of bad their 2019-2020 season. Photo courtesy of Karen O’Donnell The festival, held in Salt Lake Directed and choreographed by City, Utah at the end of January, luck and not bad intentions. Rusty Curtio with music direction tional way. She conveys a feeling every time she graced the stage. aims to emphasize the importance Another notable film screened at by Logan Medland, “Sister Act” of gratuity and maturity that’s Her odd way of walking, nasally of independent film in both docu- Sundance was “Crip Camp.” Pro- follows Deloris Van Cartier (Sa- touching and convincing. voice and cringe-worthy raps mentary and dramatic film making. duced by Michelle and Barack vannah Beckford, senior theatre One standout was Eddie Souther showcased Marlowe’s ability to Directed by , “Miss Obama and directed by Nicole performance major) as she hides (Ian Dembek, sophomore theatre create a wacky character that is hi- Americana” first premiered at the Newnham and James Lebrecht, the from her dangerous boyfriend Cur- performance major) who played the lariously believable. 2020 Sundance Film Festival and is documentary tells the story of tis Jackson (Jason Biss, senior the- cop protecting Deloris, and her Despite “Sister Act” being a now on . Camp Jened, a summer camp for atre performance major) in a eventual love interest. Dembek comedy, it was heartwarmingly The self-driven narrative follows disabled teenagers in 1970’s San convent. played Souther perfectly, capturing moralistic. As Deloris grows closer the country-turned-pop singer Tay- Francisco. Beckford carries the show with the inner-struggle of breaking out to the nuns at the convent, the au- lor Swift and a look inside her per- The camp raised awareness for her campy humor and ability to of this shy shell he’s stuck in. “I dience is reminded to be apprecia- sonal life behind the spotlight. disabled people in a time where so- connect to the audience as they Could Be That Guy,” Eddie’s big tive for the people in your life. Those in the audience who did- ciety didn’t usually acknowledge watch her grow from materialistic solo number managed to be both One conversation between De- n’t know Swift definitely do after them. Camp Jened inspired dis- diva to appreciative friend. By bat- touching and funny, with rich vo- loris and Mother Superior at the watching this documentary, which abled people to develop the Dis- ting her lashes, making a smug face cals and dramatic costume changes. end of the show is surprisingly gives an indepth look at the highs ability Rights and Independent or twirling around, Beckford is able Sister Mary Robert (Kirsten philosophical, suggesting that and lows she’s faced every day. Living Movement, a major turning to crack-up the audience without Kaiser, junior theatre performance whether you follow a religion or Swift heavily discusses her mental point in the Disability Rights saying a word. And, by the end of major) was another show stealer. not, there is undeniably something health and how she copes with con- Movement. the play, when Deloris realizes She amazed the audience as she greater connecting all of us. stantly being in the public’s eye. With the Obamas’s support, there is nothing more important grew from a timid postulate to a The show does not preach reli- Viewers also get information “Crip Camp” became one of the than love and friendship, it’s just as belting woman in her number “The gion or try to convince people to concerning some of Swift’s most most popular and righteous films at believable and moving as her jokes Life I Never Led.” convert to Catholicism, but simply public controversies, such as her Sundance. were. Sister Mary Lazarus (Rebecca inspires attendees to live their life continuous fued with “Miss Americana” is already on Beckford’s soulful singing shows Marlowe, senior theatre perform- passionately, generously and truth- and her sexual assault trial with Netflix, and “Crip Camp” is ex- Deloris’s change in a more emo- ance major) had the audience laugh fully. radio DJ David Mueller. pected to be added on March 25.

Student-run theatre gives everyone a chance to make theatre magic

Zando also gave opportunities to By ZOE KROFCHIK students who might not have had Staff Writer major chances at Wagner yet, such as two freshmen and three theatre There is no doubt that Wagner is studies majors. home to amazing theatre. A vital The following weekend, Gate- part of the campus’s theatre oppor- house transformed into a sanitarium tunities comes from the student-run for SRMT’s “Harvey,” directed by companies on campus, Completely sophomore theatre performance Student Productions, Student Run major Andrew King. “Harvey” Musical Theatre, and Shakespeare takes on harsh themes such as sex- on the Oval. These organizations ism and in a hilarious have proved anything can be a way to comment on dated social stage; transforming Gatehouse beliefs. It was King’s directorial Lounge, Reynolds Coffeehouse, debut, and many of the actors and the Sutter Oval into high casted were freshmen, including schools, living rooms, hair salons, Grace Beaudet (Nurse Kelly) who, hospitals, and everything in be- before SRMT, had never worked tween. on a student-run show before. Director Kamila Zando, junior “Being in this show has taught theatre performance major, turned me a lot about acting, as well as Gatehouse Lounge into Truvy’s learning how to have fun with it,” Salon for CSP’s "Steel Magnolias" Beaudet said. “Which is really what on Feb. 22 and 23. "Steel Magno- you have to do in these kinds of lias" is all about laughing through shows.” tears, and follows the story of six Many freshmen theatre students Photo courtesy of Kayla Morgan/Completely Student Productions powerful and hilarious women liv- find their college debut at CSP or The lovely ladies of CSP’s “Steel Magnolias” in their production photos outside Guild Hall. ing in 1980’s Louisiana. SRMT because student-run pro- “We have so many powerful and ductions give students the opportu- ented students may often feel over- ented. There can be such a stigma wanted to make it my goal for peo- talented women who are over- nity to gain the experience larger looked when it comes to Mainstage around the majors, but it’s all up to ple who aren’t performance majors looked,” Zando says about the theatres look for. “They want to productions because of their major, chance.” to act, direct, perform.” Wagner women in the theatre de- cast people with experience, but if whether it be theatre studies, arts Anthony LoGrande, assistant di- Don’t miss Shakespeare on the partment. “Many of the shows you don’t give someone the expe- administration, or vocal perform- rector for “Harvey” and president Oval’s “A Midsummer Night’s don’t show off all the women that rience how are they ever going to ance. of SRMT, stressed the importance Dream” (directed by Hunter An- we have. Especially on the produc- get that experience?” Zando ques- “It doesn’t mean that you’re un- of student-run theatre by saying, derson, April 18 and 19), CSP’s tion end, there are so many women tions. talented if you’re not a performance “With a growing arts community at “American Idiot” (directed by out there that can make magic hap- The goal of student-run theatre is major,” Zando reflects. Wagner, I find that there are not as Megan Campbell, April 18 and 19) pen.” "Steel Magnolias" boasted a to give students of any major, con- “I think some people think that if many opportunities for people who and SRMT’s “The Last 5 Years” cast of all women and a creative centration, and background a you’re not in the major they’re less- are not theatre performance majors (directed by Antony LoGrande, team that was almost all women. chance to make theatre magic. Tal- than, but they are often just as tal- to do shows. Going into SRMT, I April 24, 25 and 26).