By Rebecca Goodman

Ms. Yolles certainly has a knack for discovering the most out-of-the-box shows. As the advanced production approached, one senior remarked, “Why don’t we ever just have Annie or something.” No “or something” for the theater department of Beaver Country Day School. This term, the all-Senior ensemble tackled She Kills Monsters, a heartfelt and somewhat salacious play rooted in none other than the game Dungeons and Dragons. On opening night, I sat two rows behind Mr. Adjout and Ms. Samson, and one row behind Ms. Farrell. The prevailing thought in my mind for most of the show was: I can’t believe they’re saying these things in front of their teachers. Maybe I need a less prudish perspective- the teachers certainly found the jokes funny. My line of sight caught them doubled over in laughter at comments such as “Hot girl on girl? Why would I want to see that?” and “We weren’t having kinky dungeon sex.”

That ought to paint you a picture of the show’s energy. Of all things, energy was undoubtedly abundant. Excellent stage production fueled the magic of the play, with many projections of maps and monsters. Light changes and prop management were handled flawlessly- never an item forgotten in the wings or left on the stage, the tone set by an illumination of red or purple. There were many costume changes that played essential roles in the storytelling, and luckily there was not a devil horn out of place. The music, a mix of 90s pop anthems, created a very particular ambiance, one that would only feel right in this specific production. 

The show follows an older sister (Gianna Filippou ‘22) as she grieves her younger sister (Kayla Vinh ‘22) and her parents who died in a car crash. A friend of the younger sister (Kely Archambault ‘22) guides the older sister through a game of Dungeons and Dragons. In the process, more about the younger sister’s identity is revealed, causing the older sister to experience the regret of not knowing her better when she was alive.

The eccentricity was electric- it was without a doubt one of the most bizarre plays ever put on, but it was nevertheless entertaining. Gianna was an excellent lead, handling a massive undertaking of lines and scenes with a swift talent. However, the star of the show was, without a doubt, Aiden Glenn ‘22, whose dry wit and comedic timing outshone, despite limited airtime. Grace Gordon ‘22 was equally hilarious as an unhinged high school guidance counselor, and Kely drew in many laughs with his nerdy teen impression. 
The production was so enjoyable because one never knew what to expect. It showcased the extraordinarily talented Senior class, as well as the talented crew. While there are no doubts that the theater department would slay Annie, She Kills Monsters was a fittingly unique feat for our very unique program.