by Andy Ortiz, Managing Editor

The Theater Company of St. John Bosco High School presented their first play of the year, a mysterious and emotional journey of memories captured in photographs, Kodachrome.

Bosco’s production of Kodachrome, originally written by Adam Szymkowicz, was directed by the Director of Theater Production, Mr. Martin Lang. Kodachrome is a comedy about nostalgia and romance, a deep and mature story. 

In the director’s note, Mr. Lang explains how this story was a large departure from what is usually seen by the Bosco Theater Company and the challenges that it presented the team.

“This story is a very mature work and presented a challenge for our young people because many of the emotions and feelings that they are being asked to portray they have not yet experienced in their own lives,” wrote Mr. Lang.

The story follows Suzanne, The Photographer, played by St. Joseph’s senior Daniela Campos, who narrates the lives and romances of the people in the town of Colchester, as she struggles to say her own goodbyes to her husband Charlie, The Hardware Store Owner, played by Bosco senior Noah Wayner.

The general motif and theme around the production was very unique. The play revolved around The Photographer’s hobby of taking photos. As such, the camera was used regularly in the story, both throughout the play itself and even before starts. 

At the beginning of the production, The Photographer took photos of some of the audience members, and even a photo of the entire audience toward the end. This did such a great job of incorporating the audience into the story and making them truly immersed in what’s being told.

The Photographer, however, truly excels in acting in her role. Some may remember Daniela Campos from her previous roles as Susan in Attack! Of The Killer Man From the Sun! or Bielke in Fiddler on the Roof. Things are different this time around, as she was acting now as the main character and narrator, speaking the most amount of lines in the entire show.

“Being the lead role has been more challenging for me than past roles,” said Daniela. “I have so much dialogue in the show and I’m onstage for every scene, not to mention my character endures a lot mentally throughout the show, so at times it can be very tiring.”

Despite the tough hills to climb, Daniela pulled through and gave an awesome performance. She made for a great “tour guide” and did well introducing and explaining everyone and everything in the story. She also nailed the emotional moments, creating a fun character to listen to but also embodying a persona that the audience could resonate with on a deeper level.

“It’s been a real growing experience for me as an actor,” said Daniela.

Daniela wasn’t the only stand out performer. Earl, The Gravedigger, played by Bosco sophomore Jacob Alexander Perez, was another great character. 

This was Jacob’s first acting role with St. Joseph’s and St. John Bosco, and he did not disappoint. He played a very humorous role and certainly didn’t fail to make the audience laugh with his personality. The way he interacted with different characters was fun to watch.

However, when the emotion needed to be put on, he fabulously pulled off a seriousness that greatly complimented his whimsical side.

“Tapping into my emotional side for the first time was a bit challenging, but I was able to pull it off,” said Jacob.

One more wonderful performance was by St. Joseph’s freshman Jamie Valdoria in her role of The Young Woman. She played a young woman who jumps into an engagement with her boyfriend and freaks out throughout the process. 

Jamie successfully portrayed this anxiety ridden personality really well and makes her character a very funny whenever she’s on stage.

“Everyone has been working so hard the past few weeks to put on such a great show. The overall feeling has been very welcoming and supportive,” said Jamie.

The stage design for this production was intriguing. The sides were covered with picture frames with digital screens in them and in the center was a projector. 

Throughout the play, whenever The Photographer took photos of the characters, those images showed up on the stage. Additionally, the images changed to reflect the environment the characters were in, which was a really creative way to add to the motif of the camera.

Overall, Bosco’s production of Kodachrome was very funny, but also very deep beneath the surface. This emotional story couldn’t have been truly brought to life without the work of the performers and everyone else at the Bosco Theater Company.