By Natalia Placek
The Prowler
The first-ever Bridgewater-Raritan High School Fall Theatre Soiree offered an unforgettable evening, blending haunting performances and seasonal charm in a unique lineup that kept the audience spellbound.
This unique performance was under the guidance of Heather Day-Diaforli, who is the Bridgewater-Raritan High School Theatre Arts Director.
‘The Soirée was a wonderful first-time event which showcased the work of our dedicated Bridgewater-Raritan Theatre Arts Council (BRTAC) parents and talented students. It made me most proud to watch the students really take ownership over the evening’s festivities," Ms. Day-Diaforli said.
The high school cafeteria was transformed into an atmospheric autumn venue with candles, spooky lights, and fall-themed decorations.
Attendees were treated to Halloween-themed delights while being entertained by a variety of spooky solos, duets and stories. May Niles and Julianne Maloney, the two emcees of the event, guided the audience through the evening, adding their own blend of humor and charm in between acts.
The event featured performers such as pianist Ethan Wei. (Afraz Amin)
Solo and duet performances included: Aditi Dhara and Maya Little in “Mother Knows Best”; Julianne Maloney and May Niles in “The Monster House”; Jayleen Alvorado and Evan Andrews in “Crazier than You”; Ella Ianiello in “Poor Unfortunate Souls”; Mars Springsteel performing “Dead Mom”; Ella Ianiello and Maya Little in “Say My Name”; Maya Little in “Waiting”; and Jayleen Alvorado with “No Good Deed”.
Between musical numbers, storytellers recounted ghost stories and supernatural tales. These interludes created breaks from the music and evoked the feeling of a fall night around a campfire.
Storytellers included: Michaela Opalenik telling “What Do You Come For?”; Rebecca Puszkin recounting “The Guests”; Zoe Weinstein telling “Alligators”; John Csik performing “The Babysitter”; and Aaron Weinstein telling “The Thing”. The combination of solos, duets and storytelling kept the energy varied and engaging, creating an immersive and festive theater experience.
Duet performances were one of the more common performances at the soiree. (Afraz Amin)
Aside from being an evening of entertainment, the event supported the Bridgewater-Raritan Theatre Arts Council (BRTAC). Every donation made went directly toward enhancing resources for Bridgewater-Raritan Theatre Arts, allowing students to continue developing their talents and bringing future productions to the stage. The Fall Theater Soiree made for an engaging night that captured the season’s eerie yet inviting spirit, all while supporting a great cause.
The next event from Bridgewater-Raritan Theatre Arts will be the fall play, Radium Girls, which will be performed on December 5, 6 and 7 in the high school auditorium.