Lagniappe-Potpourri–a musical, skit-based comedy, was performed this year for the 70th time in New Trier history as “Across the 4th Dimension.”
Lagniappe is a show composed and directed completely by students. Each fall, students are selected to be co-producers, writers and support staff to work out music and scenes during the spring and summer.
Tryouts occur at the beginning of the school year with up to 160 students vying for parts. Jack Oldfield, junior, and one of the lead roles this year said, “I think the script was creative and funny. I was honored to have the opportunity to play whatever role they would put me in. He also said that as each play changes over the years, “it is impossible to compare each lagniappe. That is the beautiful thing about having a student written, directed, and produced show. Every year is different, and every year will bring its own challenges.”
Lagniappe has been a crowd-pleaser throughout the years, and this year was no different. All three performances played to a large audience, and several of the acts were certainly worth discussion afterwards. Some of the favorite acts from this year included: “New Trier: After Hours,” “A List Fit for Bubbie,” and “PDA.” Fans enjoyed these skits not only for their humor, but also for their close connection to New Trier students themselves, and to their own high school experiences.
Other reviews from the student body suggested that they weren’t very satisfied with the acts that involved New Trier-based topics. Junior Sabrina Carlins said, “I thought the past years were better, and funnier because they had to do with common New Trier relations.”
Another junior, Jessica Jeon said, “I found this year to be funny, but the funnier acts were those that mocked New Trier behavior, and that’s why I thought past years have been better.”
An anonymous student said “the singing was incredible, but the dancing seemed a little off beat and the writing was different than previous plays.”
The biggest concept that many of the audience members had difficulty grasping was the show’s connection to its title: “Time Travel”. Patrons grumbled at the intermission that they didn’t quite understand how that theme coincided with the rest of the performance. A weak tie-in at the end was not enough to bring everything together or offer satisfaction.
There have been other suggestions from Junior, Caeli Best, who said, “I remember last year there were some really funny acts, like the girls advisory who would only accept advisees who brought bagels for a Friday breakfast, or the Bar Mitzvah act. I think there are certain acts that are worth being repeated in future years that can never get old including some of the ones from this year’s performance such as “The Sunshine Nursery School Toddlers United.”
Overall, Lagniappe 70 was a decent affair, but could have benefitted from a stronger batch of originality and tightness in production.