Tech’s First Student-Produced Play Sets the Bar High

Despite its confusing plot and dark subject matter, the student production of The Wall was a surprising success, with estimated ticket sales reaching almost 800. The cast spent most of the summer and beginning of the school year rehearsing tirelessly at least five days a week, which really paid off on opening night.

The musical was entirely student produced, so those with Tech theater experience took top positions and leading roles. Director Sasha Kazachkova, star of the spring musical for the past two years, competently led her peers to a great show, all the while owning the stage as the role of Pink’s Shadow. However, the cast and ensemble also seemed to be full of newcomers making their Tech stage debut. Leading actor William Suarez delivered a solid performance as the role of Pink, alternating from singing with a slightly hoarse – but still strong – voice to screaming in agony when appropriate. His voice fell perfectly in tune with Kazachkova’s, creating almost soothing harmonies to offset the play’s dark nature. Simona Zhukovski, also new to the stage, easily stole the show with her graceful movements and beautiful voice completing her lovable portrayal of Pink’s mother.

The extremely talented “orchestra,” comprised of only six men, flawlessly played through the show without missing a beat, complementing the energy of the actors onstage. Aside from a few songs where actual recordings were used, each song was indistinguishable from the original album track.

The play’s events were not easily understood without a quick skimming of the synopsis found in the Techbill, but it did not take away from the enjoyment of the show as a whole. Scene transitions were a bit clunky and disorganized, and some choreography was sloppy, but the “Young Lust” scene was enough to make up for it. It was clear that those five dancers painstakingly rehearsed those moves and executed them with extreme precision.

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