Drama hosts The Miracle Worker dinner theatre
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After four years, drama adviser Patrick Posada brought the concept of dinner theatre back to life.
This year’s dinner theatre showcased The Miracle Worker and served Italian cuisine in the Little Theatre from Dec. 4 to Dec. 8. The revival of the dinner theatre brought excitement among staff and faculty, who had attended previous dinner theatres.
“I was very impressed,” English teacher Jordan Vogel said. “It’s not the first one I’ve been to, so I was excited beforehand. I know how well done [the dinner theatres] are. “Our drama department always does a fantastic job putting on plays. The service is really fun [since] students [are] involved, [and] the acting was well done.”
Different from a traditional show, a dinner theatre adds more to the play experience.
“A lot more people are involved since now it’s not [only] about performing a play, [but] it’s about creating a beautiful restaurant every night,” senior Genesis Landeros said. “There [are workers] under the same roof with [a] goal to give our guests the perfect night out.”
Another difference is the sophisticated atmosphere.
“The concept of a dinner theatre is refreshing and exciting because it no longer feels like the students, staff and faculty, and parents are in a school environment,” head manager junior Vicky Vo said. “The students who attend the production are given a chance to dress up and a sense that they are no longer at school. Parents and staff who attend are given a chance to escape from work or any stresses they have to enjoy a palatable meal along with a breathtaking show.”
Dinner theatre not only introduces a new concept of entertainment to many students, but it encourages professionalism. The wait staff consisting of students are required to learn proper etiquette, proper posture, glass and plates positioning, and manners.
As the artistic director, technical director, and operator of the restaurant, Posada says the dinner theatre was overall a success due to the help of students who organized it. His decision to revive dinner theatre stemmed from not only wanting to provide a refreshing form of entertainment, but also to dedicate the performance to certain staff.
“We wanted to do something special because Ms. Vicky Yum was retiring,” Posada said. “We dedicated the performance to her [and to Mr. Gin, who] sponsored the show and got a matching grant from [the electric company] Edison.”
Due to the success of the dinner theatre, Posada plans to host a 1950s-inspired diner theatre in May, showcasing The Outsiders.
