By Comet Ziemer
Benicia High School has just wrapped up it’s spring play production, Lost Girl. There is talk all over Benicia about the recent showings over the past few weekends. With incredibly high attendance rates from audience members, it’s time to take a deep dive and find out about how the production went from script reads to crazy dance numbers and emotional scenes in just a few weeks.
Lost Girl tells the story of Wendy Darling after she returns home from Neverland. We follow Wendy as years pass and she still sits by her window waiting for Peter Pan to return. A realistic spin gets put on the characters of the original Peter Pan story and the world built around it. We come to find out that Wendy is not the only girl who went to Neverland, and there might be more that Wendy’s friends and family are keeping hidden from her.
With over 20 people in the cast and crew for Lost Girl, there were a wide variety of different experiences and stories from every perspective. But through the good days, bad run throughs, and long days, everyone in the cast stuck together and made an absolutely astonishing show. I interviewed Lauren (Frankie) Frances Dulatre (10), who worked as the Stage Manager during the production, and learned what it was like for the head of the cast and crew.
“Overall, how I felt on the play, I was proud, most for everyone for their hard work, and being very exhausted,” Dulatre stated. Frankie talked about what it was like Stage Managing for the first time while being completely new to the school and the theatre department. “Working with Day at first I was nervous. I didn’t know him that well, and I just transferred here. But his understanding and his guidance helped me through and helped me understand what was going on in the circus of theater kids.” Dulatre says that they plan on taking part in any production they can over the next few years they have in high school.
There have been many memories made on the stage as well. Rebecca Grivett (12) played Wendy Darling in the production. Grivett talked about what it was like being the lead in Lost Girl…
“Working with the cast of Lost Girl has been such a pleasure. I was able to meet a lot of new and talented people this year. There have been so many moments where I’ve learned new things not just about Wendy but the individual characters as well. It was really fun watching every actor grow into their characters, changing them to tell their characters’ story no matter how big or small their role was,” Grivett stated.
Grivett has some advice for anyone who is considering starting theatre, and talked about how being a part of productions has helped her with her shyness and coming out of her shell. “Aside from Lost Girl, I’ve enrolled in other classes in BHS including Musical Theater and Advance Drama. I’ve learned so much about myself over the course of this year. And if you’re a little shy, like me, drama is a great way to open yourself to others and gain confidence. You meet so many talented and welcoming people who have interesting life stories and are very fun to be around.”
Lost Girl is a show that has been able to touch the hearts of so many people. With the topics of childhood, loss, grief, mental health, and love, there is something in the script for everyone to relate to. Lost Girl was a dream come true for everyone in the cast, and everyone is excited to see what happens in the years to come. If you ever have any questions about what the Drama Department has to offer, Mr. Day is always available to be a helpful resource and guide.
beniciapaw.com 