Theater Review: 'Teach Me How to Cry' by Pomperaug Theatre Company

Review by Naugatuck Patch Mayor Nancy Sasso Janis

Pomperaug Theatre Company will present “Teach Me How to Cry” this weekend on the stage at Pomperaug High School. This play was written by Patricia Joudry.

The Pomperaug production was student directed by Pomperaug senior Sophia Ltaif, assisted by freshman Sarah Sugden. Ada Llabani was in charge of the choreography for the opening sequence. Kudos to senior Madison Ferguson for acting as both stage manager and technical director, with Tooley Bergman as assistant stage manager.

In the comprehensive director’s note about her brave choice of this play, Ltaif makes connections between this play and Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” She writes that this little known play is “a story about being young and in love, with all the emotions that come with it. Two teens, Melinda and Will, fall in love.Their family situations make them unable to be together.”

The director’s note continues: “At its core, this show is about trust. Trust between a boy and a girl, trust between a mother and child, and trust between a girl and herself.” Melinda must “overcome her inability to express herself,and Will needs to overcome his fear of attachment. They chose to trust each other despite what their parents, their peers, and society tells them. They choose to be brave and love without fear.”

Senior Alice Sugden effectively leads the cast as teenaged Melinda Grant, the daughter of Mrs. Grant. Sugden, who was awarded a Halo Award in 2023 for Best Play, captures all of the nuances of her character. Ari Levins, also a senior at Pomperaug, portrays well the teenaged Will, who professes to be a “writer type,” much to the displeasure of his parents. Levins appeared in “Puffs” and “Willy Wonka.”

Sophomore Isabella Winer gets the chance to show off how much she has grown as an actor in her tricky role as Mrs. Grant. Winer lists among her credits her role in the ensemble of Newbury Musicals’ “Fiddler on the Roof,” and I was very proud to watch this stunning work of my former castmate.

Senior Stevie Bennett,who played Charlie in “Willy Wonka,” does an impressive job of becoming a teacher in the fifties in her role as Miss Robson. Bennett appeared as a dancer in Newbury’s “Annie Get Your Gun” this summer. Xavier Chu takes on the role of Mr. Henderson, a salesman who is the father of Will. Chu plays Chip in the “Spelling Bee” at Tandem Theatre at Workspace in Bethel. Addison Evans does fine work in the role of Mrs. Dorothy Henderson.

Junior Samantha Fig plays the popular high school student Polly in her third PHS show and freshman Leo Marks takes on the role of Bruce. Sophomore Savannah Paulus and junior Isabella Yost play students Anne and Eleanor, respectively.

The set needed to include the homes of both teens, as well as a bridge and Brookelynn Bennett, Emily Manzo and senior Will Bradshaw (head of construction) managed to bring all three to life with a combination of pieces. Costumes are specific to the 50’s, with full skirts for the girls that would have hung better with a petticoat. Hair and makeup design led by senior Amelie Jose also fit the period. Props led by Emma Bona include an old sewing machine for the accomplished seamstress Mrs. Grant. Sound design by Rachel Anderson and Colton Lorensen had some hiccups at the final dress rehearsal that I am sure have been fixed. There is some well-chosen incidental music and the sound of thunder which works well. Good lighting design junior Eli Hornberger and senior Sam Morais illuminated the performance.

The student director dubs her cast and crew as resilient and strong, “willing to tackle the issues at the heart of this play with open hearts,” adding that she will “always cherish the laughter, tears, frustration, and love everyone has put into this production.” This marks Ltaif’s seventh show at her high school, and her fourth in a directorial position. She has also directed for Waterbury-based City Youth Theater.

Faculty members Madge O’Toole and Jeanne Hawley advised the students as producers and Nick Napoli was the construction advisor for the project. Tooley Bergman is the co-head of house and assistant stage manager.

The performance is presented with one ten minute intermission and there are just a few coarse words in the script.

Don't miss the Pomperaug Theatre Company's performance of "Teach Me how to Cry" this weekend, November 22-24, 2024.

Showtimes are Friday, November 22, 2024 at 7:00 pm, Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 7:00 pm and Sunday, November 24, 2024, 2:00 pm
Ticket Prices: Adults/General: $15.00 and Students/Staff/Senior: $10.00
(*Please note that walk-in tickets on the day of the show are $2 more to cover vendor fees).

All performances are presented in the auditorium at Pomperaug High School, 234 Judd Road, Southbury

Follow the link to purchase tickets:
https://www.onthestage.tickets/.../66449dc25c3c390e40d2443a
Follow Pomperaug Theatre Company on Instagram @pomptheatre for additional pictures and videos.