After indulging in the latest incarnation of the HBS show, it’s hard to imagine why potential employers wouldn’t clamor over any of the contributors to such an impressive undertaking.
Hidden talents abound, dozens of HBS students (and a few partners) took to the stage last week performing over two hours of coltish fun, replete with song, dance, wit, wisdom, and, yes, sentiment. One couldn’t help but shudder as a packed Burden Auditorium joined together in song, reveling in the Zippo-worthy climax, “What About Jobs?”
No subject was off-limits. Students, faculty, administration, staff–all were fair game as the razor-sharp writing of Andrew Boer (OJ), Lou DiLorenzo (OK), Alex Mandl (OF), and Stephen Shafer (OH) set the stage for the ensemble cast to work their magic, much to the delight of the HBS community.
Director Christina Aragon (OI), Executive Producer Ruby Kam (NA), and Production Manger Jonathan Mendelson (OJ) should be commended for shepherding this rollicking take on life at HBS, which oozed the professionalism of top live theatre.
Musically, the production was boosted by the presence of a live orchestra (under the direction of Yael Taqqu (NK). Coupled with the star-caliber vocal talents of Sarah Riggs (NF), as Eve, and Careina Williams (NA), as Ebitda, Burden Auditorium was transformed into a sonorous escape from the cacophony of everyday life (and the current crap on Top 40 radio).
Other standouts included the multi-lingual (well, sort of) Patrick Landers (NA), whose gaiete de coeur and gift for physical comedy reminds one of Kevin Kline’s turn in A Fish Called Wanda, and Tom Leung (NC), whose scene-stealing performances as the alpha pirate and Dean Kim Clark (no relation) brought the house down.
Not to be outdone, leading man Taylor Margis-Noguera (NB), as the Devil/Professor Scratch, brought unbridled energy to his singing, dancing, and, yes, smoking-prompting comparisons to a young, hungry Robin Williams.
Upon reflection, the HBS Show was truly a moment in time–a defining memory that is sure to endure in the hearts of cast, crew, and audience.
The Show was HBS at its best. Bravo.
