The theater program is currently preparing for the spring play “Radium Girls”, the last production of the school year. Thist also means it’s the seniors’ last production. The last show is always an emotional day for the seniors, but also for other cast members who have good relationships with them. All cast members are excited for the shows in April. The three Mercy senior actresses are Jess Chlebinski, Sarah Ronayne, and Larisa Cornelius. They play major roles in the show, and are amazing actors who are going to make it great.
In “Radium Girls”, Jess is the lead. She plays Grace Fryer, who is the main character of the play. Jess is currently part of Mercy music and theater programs. She joined Mercy theater freshman year and has participated all 4 years of high school. In response to being asked about what she will miss about Mercy theater, Jess said “I’m going to miss the feeling of being on stage and the feeling of accomplishment after finishing the show” She says that her favorite production in Mercy theater was “Once Upon a Mattress”, which was the 2022 fall musical. She also said she loves “Radium Girls” because she is the lead.
Sarah Ronayne plays multiple roles in the play. She plays Kathryn Schaub, Society Woman, and Harriet. Sarah is also part of Mercy’s music program. She has been doing Mercy theater all four years of high school. A fun known fact is that she started Mercy theater in middle school when she performed as a munchkin in “The Wizard of Oz”. Sarah says “My favorite show was ‘Once Upon a Mattress’, because it was a silly show, I was the lead, I got to sing a lot of songs, and I had great costumes”. She is really going to miss the close bonds she has made in Mercy theater.
Larisa Cornelius plays the characters Irene Rudolph and Miss Wiley. She has been in Mercy theater since freshman year, but also noted that during freshman year, the quarantine put a stop to theater during second semester. Her favorite production was “Once Upon a Mattress” because it was fun, the cast was great, and everyone fit their characters well. She will miss the theater program a lot. Larisa said “I’m really going to miss the community, seeing everyone every day, having laughs, and making fun of each other”.
The spring play is coming together minute by minute and the seniors are a big part of that. They are all going to miss the Mercy theater program, but enjoyed it while it lasted. They have put in time and dedication all four years of their high school career to bring the Mercy community enjoyable shows. Great acting skills and love for theater is very important to Mercy theater. Even though they won’t be acting in next year’s production and the others to follow, they will continue to support Mercy actors.
You will be missed, seniors, but not forgotten!
