Death Takes A Holiday: The Footlighters’ latest hit

Scout Carter Staff Writer

Thwingo, the student-favorite weekly bingo game, had just ended in the atrium of Thwing Center on March 24, and students were preparing to leave when one of the event organizers announced that in the center’s ballroom just above them, “Death Takes a Holiday’’ was about to begin. Those interested scrambled up the staircase to the check-in table just outside the four big doors of the ballroom to claim their ticket. Just inside, actors rushed around the backstage area to get ready. Some sat in the green room just below the stage, tricked out with a TV and snacks. Others stood in the wings, admiring the beautiful set that made up the Italian villa where the story takes place. Crew members held their stations on the perimeter of the performance’s seating, ensuring that every single one of the show’s cues were in place. Musicians took their places behind their music stands, preparing to play the show’s score. On the third floor, overlooking this organized chaos, stood the eager spotlight operators, ready for the show to begin. The energy traveled through the entire building, and the show hadn’t even started yet.

The Footlighters, Case Western Reserve University’s student musical theater group, has been performing on campus since 1998. They’ve put on a range of musicals, from classics such as “Into the Woods” and “RENT” to lesserknown musicals like Stephen Sondheim’s “Merrily We Roll Along.”

This semester’s “Death Takes a Holiday” is also rather niche—the original production unfortunately didn’t make it to Broadway, but it still found its own popularity in underground settings, becoming a cult classic. The musical is adapted from a 1920s play by Alberto Casella, depicting the heartwarming story of the soul of death desiring to experience human emotions. Death, in the body of a prince, asks one simple question in this piece—why are humans so afraid of death? The original play came in the wake of the first World War, responding to the exhaustion and grief that many felt after having lost loved ones.

For many years, The Footlighters have found their home in the Thwing Center’s Ballroom, filling the carpeted floor to the brim with seats and tech equipment. Just next door in Thwing 224, the orchestra sits with microphones at each of their music stands, providing a live underscoring to the live performances taking place next door. The actual set itself was a work of art; the pillars and windows between truly gave the illusion of an open Italian household. From just a normal ballroom, the room transforms into CWRU’s own little Broadway theater when The Footlighters come to stay. To top it all off, CWRU students get attendance to every show the group puts on for free, allowing everyone to soak up the magic that pervades the space when the actors land on their marks.

The piece, directed by Shaun

Furter—who previously played Franklin Shepard in last semester’s production of “Merrily We Roll Along”—had four performances from March 24-26, including the group’s tradition of the “midnight performance,” which takes place on the Saturday night. Typically this late-night performance is a big celebration for the cast; they let loose and allow jokes and improvisations to occur naturally. The return of live performance has allowed for such traditions to be preserved. This show is only the group’s second performance since the pandemic began. At the height of the pandemic, The Footlighters’ time was instead spent on virtual productions that allowed actors to continue doing what they loved, despite not performing live.

The earnest story of “Death Takes a Holiday’’ therefore came honestly to the performers; now that they get to be back on stage, each performer is giving their all to the show, making it clear how much they are glad to be back to such an environment. Even a passerby who might have peeked through the open ballroom door could have seen the wonderful, heartfelt acting coming from the stage. They might also have heard the resonant singing coming from the cast, which reverberated throughout Thwing. On opening night, even The Jolly Scholar’s weekly “Karaoke Night” had to compete with the passionate performance of The Footlighters’ cast. This can only speak to the performance and passion of the group. May they perform live for years to come.

Choosing the perfect pet to keep you company at school

Christie Lanfear Life Editor

For most of us, the housing selection process for the 2022-2023 school year is in full swing. With assignment times and lottery numbers released, and everyone waiting with their quick fingers and track pads, the whole process can be a little overwhelming, and the stress can start to overpower the fun of it. So, I wanted to give you something related to dorms next year that isn’t related to your room selection time: pets.

Whether you have had pets your whole life or want to start now, it will likely be a great addition to your housing plan for next year. Your initial reaction to this proposition was probably similar to mine: are we even allowed to have pets in dorms or common rooms? Well you can, as long as you fill out a Pet Registration form and then get it approved by both your suitemates and their Coordinator. The details surrounding the approval process can be found on the Case Western Reserve University website.

Alright, now onto the fun part: deciding what pet you might want to get. Obviously, there are a plethora of options, and every website you go to for recommendations will give you a slightly different list. The animals not permitted in residential communities are dogs, cats and ferrets. But that still leaves so many other options. I did the hard work for you. I scoured the web and sought advice from every pet-owning college student I know. I think the list I have come up with is rather a good one, so I hope you can find at least one candidate for a furry—or not so furry—friend!

Fish

Despite not meeting the ‘cuddly’ requirement that most people look for in a pet, fish are perfect for us college students. They are aesthetically pleasing, cheap, easy to care for and their tank does not take up to much space. The most common kinds of fish—the colorful pretty ones—include guppies, goldfish and betta fish. You also need to decide whether you want more than one fish, because everyone knows the infamous male betta fish must remain isolated from the others. Once you have your fish picked out, find a small space-accommodating tank and you are all set!

Hermit Crab

I would be lying if I said I wasn’t surprised to see this one on almost every list. When I asked around, it turns out it’s a common pet for college students. Despite the small investment required for an appropriate tank, they are fascinating pets and are certainly more active than some fish. They are also easy to feed and care for. As a plus, you can even paint their shells, as long as the paint is nontoxic. These little creatures are sure to provide you with an entertaining muse during a study break.

Hamster

As the classic starter pet, hamsters had to be included. Despite coming across as generic, these little fur balls are cuddly, like to play and are very cute, making them worthy of the hype. Although it might seem dismal, their life-span also makes them an appealing choice. Of course no one wants their pet to die, but factoring in what you will do with your pet once you graduate is important. Hamsters only live approximately the time it will take to graduate if you get it at the beginning or part way through your time at CWRU.

Guinea Pig

I grew up with guinea pigs and loved every minute of it, so I will try my hardest not to be biased. No promises though. They are arguably the most adorable pet on this list and they also love being snuggled, if you’re feeling down. As long as they are taken out once a day, they are perfectly alright being kept in a smaller enclosure that fits in a dorm room. The only downside is that they crave company, so if you are not sure you will always be able to play with them and give them some attention, getting two might be a good idea. As an upside, watching them play can be a relaxing break from schoolwork.

Turtle

These are also obvious good choices for dorm room pets; mostly because they are unable to make a run for it, so to speak, if momentarily taken out of their enclosure. This takes away a source of anxiety for many students seeking to have a pet. The best types of turtles that are suitable for students new to pets are the Western Painted, the Common Musk, Mud and the Red-Eared Slider. The only disadvantage is that turtles live for a long time, on average about a span of 30 years. But, if this isn’t an issue for you, they are definitely still an exciting option.

Gecko

If you have ever seen a gecko, I am sure you would agree that they are pretty cool animals. With their huge eyes and colorful exteriors, they make for the perfect pet. On top of that, they are not high-maintenance and can live in a relatively small tank, as long as it is set up correctly. They are also not dependent on much interaction or play time, which is ideal for us busy college students. Now, back to the pretty colors part. Their colors depend on the breed, and there are a few dif - ferent options. The most intriguing ones, in my opinion, are the Leopard, Frog-Eyed and MediterraneanHouse geckos.

Even if having a cute pet to look at and play with isn’t enough to prompt you into getting one, they are also extremely beneficial to your mental health. Some studies even suggest improvements to physical health, though research in that area is still relatively new. Interacting with pets causes a release of extra oxytocin, which is the feel-good hormone. It also decreases levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Basically, you’ll have an adorable little companion and an elevated mood. Sounds like a win-win situation to me.