Fifty-nine days. That’s it. That is all the time between Staples Players’ first rehearsal and their opening night of “Urinetown.” With three months to prepare a nearly two-hour show, Players actors dedicate hours after school time. Yet, with Westport Public Schools losing three days of school due to snow, Players lost crucial rehearsal time for a technically demanding show.
Losing rehearsal time during the final weeks before the show cuts into the tedious behind-the-scenes work, like ensuring transitions between numbers are smooth and that hair and makeup is perfected.
“As Staples Players always strives to do, we aim to perfect every detail- even when the time in which we have to do so looks different than it has in the past,” Nina Katz ’26 said
Usually, during the final week before the show–what Players call “Wow week”– actors and crew members often get called out of school to rehearse during school hours and stay until 10 p.m. to run things and perfect them. Because of the days they lost due to the snow, these extended rehearsals began 2 weeks before the show, with more than 50 Players members being excused to rehearse March 5 at 11 a.m. One of those Players was lead actor and main love interest, Ari Sklar ’27, playing Bobby Strong in select performances.
“This show process has certainly been more stressful than others but Players have been brought closer together because of it,” Ari Sklar ’27 said. “We lost a lot of time and people are putting in overtime hours to compensate for that.”
Yet, despite time lost and exhausting rehearsals, the cast and crew of “Urinetown” are confident this is one of their best shows yet. Sara Stanley ’26, playing Little Becky Two Shoes, found her process of getting into character different than ever before.
“For Becky, I really just had to learn how to let myself go, knowing that the crazier I look or feel, the better,” Sara Stanley ’26 said.
With the time they have put in through overlapping things, like dance rehearsals while tech runs the transitions of set changes, their work has paid off. However, due to their previous years of spring shows typically being smaller or less technical productions, Staples Players hopes that the community comes to support one of their most involved musical performances yet.
“In my opinion, over my three years in Players, these are some of the most ambitious and thrilling musical numbers Players has ever staged. They are not ones to miss,” Gavin Jamali ’27 playing Hot Blades Harry said. “I can assure you that this will be one of the most memorable Players productions ever.”
Players’ opens “Urinetown” on March 12 at 7 p.m., with additional shows performing on March 13, 14 and 15. Purchase tickets here!
