Review: “Game of Tiaras” puts drama department’s passion on full display

BY DANIEL RAKOWER

With great shows filled with talented casts and memorable performances under its belt, CCHS’ thespians have managed to put on another fantastic show this year following last year’s “Little Shop of Horrors” with their production of “Game of Tiaras.”

The show is a parody of both the overly serious and dramatic nature of Shakespearean plays and the hit HBO television show and massive media sensation “Game of Thrones,” as well as the tropes and ideas found in classical Disney stories, such as those of “Snow White” and “Cinderella.”

Photo by Sarah Khan

The show is a delightful production of satire, with a framing device of two omnipotent narrators who interact with each other and the characters directly involved in the play. The dynamic gives the play much welcome breathing room to poke holes at the overdramatic absurdity of dramas like those of Shakespeare and George R.R. Martin. The entire play is a dark comedy of the over-the-top seriousness of fictional dramas, and one in which CCHS’ drama team excels.

“Collectively, we have spent over a hundred hours on this,” drama teacher Aaron Barden said of the play. “We take everyone’s ideas and we expand on it…Everything here is made by students.”

The decision to have everything made by students is quite rightfully an excellent one. The set, especially the main throne at the center, shows that the thespians had a clear vision to create a memorable but simplistic setting. Instead of having to create overly elaborate and detailed sets, they opt to only suggest the setting in the audience’s minds, letting their imagination run free.

This passion and talent is not limited to the set and costume designs, however. The actors bring an over-the-top spirit perfectly suited to parody the larger than life characters they portray. The cast works well together and their chemistry is palpable, from the feuding princesses to the soldiers caught up in their rivalries. This is a cast that truly brings out the best in each other.

“I am really grateful to have been part of this show and make a family here,” play narrator Dakota Rossi said. “I can not wait to move forward and see even more improvement in our musical.”

It is exceptionally clear that they enjoy what they are doing and that brings a sense of levity and fun to this production, something that helps it achieve more in the hearts of its audience. The hard work and dedication of the CCHS thespians is enough to impress anyone, and it gives hope for the outgoing seniors.

Photo by Sarah Khan

“Seeing all the talent that is gonna be here after I am gone is really inspiring,” senior Joania Hernandez, who played Snow Queen Ellie, said. “It makes me happy to see that this program is changing the lives of so many.”

In judging the future of the drama department at CCHS, it seems that it is in the hands of fresh, exciting talent; the program is being spearheaded by a new drama teacher that will usher in a new era for the performing arts at the school. If it is a future where more exceptional productions will be performed in the auditorium of CCHS, it is a bright future, indeed.

Photos by Sarah Khan