City High’s production of Diary of a Wimpy Kid has come to an end after weeks of hard work and preparation from the directors, cast, and crew. The theatre department ran four shows in Opstad Auditorium, consisting of two matinees and two 7:00 pm shows.
This show used a pre-recorded soundtrack which was a new challenge for the theater department with this production. Typically the musicals have had a live orchestra in the past, and a conductor which allows the music to adapt as necessary to what’s happening on stage if somebody skips a line or falls behind in the script.
“Diary of a Wimpy Kid was so non-serious, and I mean that in the best way. It genuinely felt like we were just messing around and having fun with it. If you make a mistake, so what? It was a very non-judgemental and playful environment, and I think that was a relief after long school days of being worried about tests and grades. It’s been so rejuvenating and enjoyable to be there and perform in such a fun show,” Esme Hutchinson-Reuss ’26, a member of the cast, said.
This show had larger crowds than many of the fall plays in the past.
“Diary of a Wimpy Kid was a great success by all of my most important metrics – people who were a part of the show had fun, and people who came to see the show had fun. I just want people in front, behind, and on stage to feel positively towards theatre and create great memories from their experiences,” Laren Darby, director, said.
City High is one of the first high schools to put on this production, so it was a new experience for the directors, cast, and crew to not only have to work on scenes and acting for the fall play, but also on choreography and singing.
“This truly was an amazing group of people to work with. Each of them brought so much to the production and if even one of them were missing, it wouldn’t be the same. I’m so fortunate to have gotten the opportunity to work with and become friends with so many passionate people who made an incredible production, said Elaine Burer, ’26, stage manager.
The next show at City High will be Urinetown, a story about maintaining hope in the face of climate change and corporate greed which will begin preparations in Mid-February.
“People are often taken aback by the name but it is a hilarious satire that has long been one of my favorite shows,” said Lauren Darby.
In the meantime, students will be competing in speech and show choir, two programs that have a lot of crossover with theatre. The drama department will also be offering some workshops to help students prepare for Urinetown auditions.
