Given the lottery component of the play “Everybody,” where one of five actors gets randomly chosen to be the lead for every performance, the biggest anticipation of the opening night was who would be the lead.
The Usher, actor Nancy Tran who’s in charge of the lottery and chooses who “Everybody” will be, gives Paola Ovalle, one of the possible lead characters, an egg which will tell her the character she”ll play for that performance during the dress rehearsal on May 13. (Paloma Maciel)
During the first performance on May 15, Leya Froehlich was chosen, and her performance coupled with the comedic, yet deep play, to create an impactful experience that led the audience to wonder what the meaning of life is.
“It was definitely exciting because I didn’t expect it. The chances were there but yeah it feels good, I had a great time on stage and I feel great, I feel amazing,” said Froehlich after the performance.
Leya Froehlich, sits in the audience as she’s about to be chosen by the character “Death” to be one of the possible characters to die, during the dress rehearsal for the play “Everybody” on May 13. (Paloma Maciel)
Froehlich’s boyfriend, Jason Becker, came to support her and recalled the moment when she was chosen.
“I was really happy for her because all of her hard work really paid off, yeah she’s been rehearsing like every night and not just during rehearsal, she’s always doing her lines and practicing even when she’s not at rehearsal, so yeah she really tried hard for this. I’m really proud of her,” Becker said.
The designers of the play set up the performance to be interactive and intimate as audience members were seated on stage and surrounded three sides of the square built in set.
The play started with the character “God” played by Velbert Reed, who had an assertive and deep voice, along with a strong presence.
Velbert Reed extends his arm as the character “God” in the play “Everybody” during the dress rehearsal on May 13. (Paloma Maciel)
It is then “God” who commanded the character “Death” to bring him one of his creations to die, give a presentation of their life to him, and explain their choices.
The five lead actors who initially blended in with the crowd due to their casual clothing were chosen by “Death” to come on stage.
Once on stage, Death introduced himself to the characters, and they all were mortified at the idea of being selected because it would mean that they would be chosen to die.
In one scene, the actors huddled together on the floor staying as far away from the character “Death” as they could.
Comedically, when “Death” came near some actors they hurriedly scooted away while others got up and ran.
After this segment, the lottery was conducted by the Usher as they gave each of the five actors a random egg from a bingo cage that said their role inside.
Only the lead character is chosen at random, while the other lead candidates know which roles they are going to play based on who is the lead.
Much of the plot after the lottery was the main character “Everybody” coping with the fact that they are going to be dying soon and being terrified and questioning the meaning of their life while begging those close to her to come on the journey of death with her.
A highlight towards the end of the show was when three dancers in skeleton bodysuits slowly danced to the song “I Shall Be Released” by Nina Simone.
This scene came as a surprise because it put the image of death, the skeletons, right in the audience’s face, whereas before death was mentioned mostly in a comedic way.
Dancers, Brycee Remigio, left, and Asandra Tyler, right, dance during the love scene in the production of LBCC’s “Everybody” during dress rehearsal May, 13. (Sam Villa)
The ending of the play is exactly what is said at the beginning, “Everybody” dies, but the play ends there.
The viewer is not shown what happens after death, because as mentioned by the Usher, who adds commentary throughout the play, nobody knows what happens after death.
David Hillinger playing the character “Death” leads the lead character “Everybody” played by Leya Froehlich into doors with smoke which represent death, at the dress rehearsal for the production of “Everybody” on May 13. (Paloma Maciel)
The play will continue this weekend with show times taking place May 17 at 7:30 p.m.
Daytime performances will also occur on May 17 and 18 at 2:00 pm. with all performances taking place at the The Bob and Barbara Ellis Auditorium located in the J Building on the LAC Campus.
“It’s like okay, what’s it going to be tomorrow, what’s it going to be the next day? It’s nerve racking every night because you don’t know what’s going to happen, you don’t know what role you’re going to get. So it’s nerve racking but it was really exciting,” said Qowlayah Peters, one of the possible leads.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.lbcc.edu/performingarts under the section “Purchase Tickets,” or at the box office before each performance.
General Admission is $15, while student, senior and staff stickers are $10.
Students with ASB CSC stickers are free, but these tickets are only available in person at the box office.
The cast clap in celebration on their last dress rehearsal during the production of LBCC’s “Everybody” (Sam Villa)