Bettina Juszak

Staff Writer

A series of musings on American culture by a German exchange student.

Last week on Saturday, two o’clock, matinee showing at the Westford Academy PCA.

Waiting for the doors to the auditorium to open, I was just a bit skeptical. Many had warned me that the matinee showing normally wasn’t the best, especially because the evening show followed soon after, but I was still determined to find that out for myself.

Two o’clock passed, and the benefits to not attending an evening showing became clear; at least there wasn’t such a crowd; the hall was full, but not squished, and one could still reach the bathroom without waiting for another five minutes.

Then, ten minutes after it should have started, the doors finally were opened; only to have us wait in out seats for another ten minutes before the actual show started. A bit of boredom guaranteed.

Once the show actually started, though, all boredom fled. The ensemble was altogether impressive, the choreography was fine, the effects and stage props good, the piano players outstanding, and the leading singing roles breathtaking. I don’t think anyone could say Jillian Frankel wasn’t breathtaking as Christine, overshadowing everyone else with her voice.

There were funny moments and emotional moments (an abundance of the latter, actually), all really well portrayed. Definitely not one of those plays during which you desperately wait for the break because then the end is nearer. Instead it was one of those, which captured my emotions till the very end, and left me feeling like I could have watched more with the same sense of excitement.

I have to say, WATA has thoroughly impressed me over the course of the last few weeks. Through more than a month of intense work and rehearsals, a pretty large group of determined students and a few adults had put together a play of absolutely surprising quality. I can in all honesty say that I have never seen such a good student performance before. In a German high school this never would have happened – too much missing equipment and money.

For me, those 12 dollars for the ticket were well spent.