For the first time ever, the Revere Players will present two plays this Fall in an effort to allow for more participation.

The players will present Arsenic and Old Lace and The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. They are calling the show a weekend of mayhem and murder.  Director Rena Baker commented on the size of this year’s cast. 

“It is almost impossible to find plays that have casts large enough for the number of students that want to participate.  We have a combined cast of just under forty with two plays. Over seventy students auditioned,” Baker said.

Presenting two plays creates the possibility for more attendance. Joe Restivo, who plays Mortimer Brewster in Arsenic and Old Lace, commented on what the players could do with more money from increased attendance.

“We can buy more elaborate costumes, props, and most importantly more expensive musicals that are popular but cost a lot to get scripts for,” Restivo said.

Players will be preparing differently because there are multiple plays. Preparation will last for many weeks. Baker described the process of preparing to present the plays.

“After auditions, we start about eight weeks of rehearsals, everyday after school for 2-3 hours. . . All during this time the set construction is occurring right before rehearsal most days. This leads to tech week where the lights, sound, completed set and crew,” Baker said.

There are a number of things the players must do before they even begin auditions. Assistant Director and Director for the musical, Laurie Russell commented on how a play is prepared before rehearsals begin.

“[The process starts with] selection of a show by the directors, Auditions for students and then selection of cast,” Russell said.

The plays will be performed November 21-24 at 7pm in the RHS Auditorium. The players will announce which show they will perform each day.