William Shakespeare's "The Tempest" has blown into town, but unlike the winter weather, the bard's thought-provoking play is here by popular demand.
Director Dean Calusdian said he initially planned on doing a different show this winter, but was overruled by Norwood students.
"They really wanted to do this," said Calusdian of the play, which opens tonight and hits the stage again tomorrow night. "We put a great amount of emphasis into what the kids want to do. I didn't even know we were doing this until about a week before we started auditions."
But unique circumstances permeate the entire run-up to the show, rehearsals for which have been interrupted by two school vacations as well as a dose of winter storms.
"My prime target for a show is eight weeks of preparation," said Calusdian. "We've had maybe five, which is a challenge."
But it is a challenge the veteran cast has embraced.
"It all depends on if you go over your lines (during break)," said junior Katie O'Connor, who has been in the program since middle school.
"I have to look at them or I'd totally forget," said Nicole Adams.
Junior Kayla Ring, who plays Prospero, the benevolent magician who is trapped on a desert island with his daughter, a misshapen monster servant, and an airy spirit, has performed in many shows. She said she likes the winter performances because of the vacations.
"It's nice because we have these long rehearsal spans interrupted - it's a nice break, I think," said Ring.
Calusdian said the students are very adept at overcoming challenges presented in different shows, which is why the department puts on a variety of performances, from musicals to those heavy in dance, and Shakespeare plays that rely more on language.
"The big challenge at first in this one is to get them to understand what they are saying," said Calusdian. "Then as we go on, they get to understand it so well, the challenge becomes to make sure they continue to translate what they are saying to the audience."
Adams thinks "The Tempest" presents more physical obstacles.
"The hard part for me was re-learning how to do a somersault," said Adams. "I haven't done one of those since I was 5."
Ring believes each show and character presents challenges, which is what keeps acting interesting.
"The last one I did was Greece and that's worlds apart from this, but this is fun," said Ring. "They all present different challenges."
Performances take place tonight and tomorrow night at 7 at the James Savage Educational Center, 275 Prospect St. Tickets are $5 for the general public, $4 for senior citizens and students and can be purchased at the door. For more information, call 781-769-4224.
Daily News staff writer Brian Falla can be reached at 781-433-8339 orbfalla@cnc.com
