Drama students put on the first production of the year on Tuesday, February first, opening night of the annual Comedy Night. The families of the actors sat along with students, looking forward to a good show.   “It’s a younger group for drama production this year so it was the first time for a lot of the people on stage,” drama teacher Mr. Hansen said. “I gave them pieces that I thought would be challenging for them so they’re learning as they go.”

The night started out with a short, ice-breaking skit about couples preformed by only four students including Destiny Malloy. Following this skit came a short comedy about an aristocratic couple in Russia during 1905. Because they are so accustomed to their aristocratic way of life, Fyodor, played by senior Josh Marrero, and his wife, played by Jeanette Nitao, fail to grasp the significance of the news that their good but frustrated friend the doctor tells them about something that has happened in St. Petersburg. Junior Randell Milan and Patrick Solis, who also played the doctor in “The News from St. Petersburg,” entertained the audience with a musical performance during half-time, playing several songs by The Beatles. After half-time, the stage is set and ready to go for the final short comedy of the night, “The Moustache.” The narrator introduces the protagonist, Phill Stevenson, played by senior Gio Oviedo, who starts off as an excessively nice guy who is loved by everyone. He is elected mayor without even putting his name on the ballot and then moves on to being governor, but has trouble communicating with his people. Since Phil is so well liked, this does not present much problems for him. A new character emerges as Phil meets an experienced politician by the name of Ernest, played by senior Iker Franco, who convinces Phil to run for chancellor. When Phil is elected chancellor, it is evident that he lacks the characteristics necessary to rule a nation and has lost the respect of his people. Ernest then proposes a solution that would seem ridiculous to most: growing a mustache. Phil grows a mustache, but with that mustache come drastic changes. Humor and drama arise as the mustache, played by Junior Paz, influences Phil’s leadership and becomes his partner in crime, making the plot take a sharp turn in the other direction. More drama develops as the mustache brings out the worst in Phil: suspicion, violence, and ruthlessness. The production unravels and ends on an ironic yet humorous tone, leaving the applauding audience with a sense of comedic relief.

“They did great for amateurs: it was funny, they did a really good job with making it look fun and with improvising if they messed up. I give it two thumbs up and a mustache,” sophomore Maritza Denis said. Both the audience and actors alike agreed that the production was a job well done.

“I say this production was probably better than the previous one because last time it was really fast and abrupt and this one was just a lot of fun,” the mustache-playing Paz said. “I think we did good today, it was good for our first time performing,  but the final outcome its gonna be great.”

“Power corrupts” is a theme that can be found in “The Moustache,” “Macbeth,” “Star Wars,” and many other stories everywhere. “The Moustache” follows the example of these great tales in not only being entertaining, but in teaching the audience something worth remembering.