Marianna Adragna
The Indian Hills student cast perform John Lennon and Me
On December 5th through 7th, the Indian Hills Theater Company (IHTC) performed its rendition of the play John Lennon & Me, written by Cherie Bennett. The talented cast and crew members have worked diligently since September to bring the play to life.
Senior Charlotte Manning, the star of the show, plays a thirteen-year-old girl diagnosed with fatal cystic fibrosis. Set in a children’s hospital called Heart House, the main character, Star, who happens to be a huge fan of the Beatles, brings the audience on her journey as she faces the hardships that come along with being her. When she gets a new roommate named Courtney, she learns important lifelong lessons about friendship, love, and death.
While a comedy, the play is also a tear-jerker filled with gloom and drama. Star’s witty sense of humor and confidence made her monologues so captivating, and the way she talked with and confided in the audience made the play feel particularly personal. Furthermore, the backdrops and the props made the play feel so much more real, especially with all the medical equipment. The lights were also a nice touch, as they changed when Star spoke directly to the audience and when she spoke to other characters.
John Lennon & Me was not just a moving experience for the viewers but also for those who worked on it. Manning explains, “I have been a member of the IHTC since I was a freshman, but I have never had such a big role. It really feels like I have grown up with the club. Taking the last bow made me tear up a little bit for sure!” Ms. Kim, the IHTC director and club advisor, adds, “Seeing the students bring my vision to life on stage is always magical. They all worked so hard and it all came together in the end. I was a proud director!”
Clearly, all the hard work done by IHTC paid off in the end. Sophomore Seulgi Park, who plays Sally Kasem, points out, “Under the spotlight or behind the scenes, it is not always easy to perform and manage in front of a live audience, but I think it is really amazing to see the IHTC create such an incredible show.”
To see yet another wonderful production from IHTC, be sure to mark your calendars for May 1st, 2nd, and 3rd of 2025 to view the spring musical, “The Little Mermaid”!