Northport High School’s 2023 fall drama, Shakespeare’s Dead Dudes and Dames, written by David Overton, is a two-act, wacky, fun, and more modern take on some of Shakespeare’s most famous characters. Northport High School is the first-ever school in the United States to perform this show, and it is showing on November 7th and 9th. Here at Port Press, we interviewed some of the cast and crew members and asked them questions about the show and why they enjoy being a part of the production and the Northport Powdered Wigs.
Our first cast member was Carlee Ferrara, a senior playing Romeo. We asked her what her favorite part about the play is:
“My favorite part about this play is how different it is compared to other plays out there. Last year we did Clue, but this year is very different. It challenged us to become characters that have been around for a very long time, and that’s a very big ask for a high schooler to step into the role of Julius Caesar or even for a freshman to step into the role of Othello. We were able to do it, but I think that’s a big testament to how powerful this production is.”
Then, we interviewed Francis Dentrone, a senior at Northport High School playing Lady Macbeth, for his advice to future high schoolers and those in high school who would like to try out for Powdered Wigs:
“First off, come in and have fun. It’s not about trying to get a role, it’s about coming in here and having fun. Just have fun! That’s the most important piece of advice I can give.”
Cara Scamardella, a sophomore playing Julius Caesar, also told us who her favorite character in the show is and why:
“My favorite character? It’s kinda biased, but it’s probably me! I love the way Caesar acts. He’s such a sassy person, and he has this huge lisp, which was tough to do, but it’s so fun.”
We also asked Alex Blumlo, a freshman playing Ophelia, for his favorite part about being in the show:
“My favorite part about being in this show is definitely just being around all my other castmates, especially backstage, it’s just so much fun and everyone is so nice. Never once during this production have I felt uncomfortable around other people here, and I just love being part of this cast.”
We interviewed Lacey Zaharis, a senior who is playing Hamlet, for her favorite line in the show:
“My favorite line, in Dudes, is ‘tis true, tis true, tis pity and pity tis tis true’, very strange, but my favorite line in Dames would probably be ‘oh my giddy aunt’, I don’t even know what it means, but I quote it almost every day!”
Sky Cleary, a junior who is a member of the lighting crew of the production, said his favorite part of doing tech is:
“I love hanging out with all my friends. A lot of my friends do tech, but you also get to meet a ton of new people. As for the actual tech part of it, the night of the show is amazing. Everyone thinks it’s so stressful, but when you’re with all your friends up in the lighting booth, you’re laughing, singing along, and just seeing what you’ve made in the end is what really does it for me.”
After interviewing these cast and crew members, we got to know a little bit more about Shakespeare’s Dead Dudes and Dames and the Northport Powdered Wigs. We also got to know more about the spark and talent that the Powdered Wigs all have that really bring the show and characters to life, literally!
Be sure to mark the date on your calendar to go see this amazing show this cast and school has to offer that is Northport Powdered Wigs’ fall drama, Shakespeare’s Dead Dudes and Dames.
