RL Presents Curtains, This Year’s Winter Musical

The audience wondered ‘whodunnit’ until the final moments of Curtains, Roxbury Latin’s winter murder-mystery-musical-comedy-play-within-a-play. On February 28 and March 1, actors and crew brought to life their rendition of the show based on the book and original concept by Peter Stone, later reworked by Rupert Holmes, with music by John Kander and lyrics by Mr. Kander and Mr. Homes in addition to Fred Ebb. The RL production was directed by Mr. Matt Phillips, with musical direction by Mr. Rob Opdycke, choreography by Ms. Lisa Kostur, and design by Ms. Erin Sutton. 

Theatrical Rights Worldwide summarizes the play as a “hilariously suspenseful musical comedy whodunit set in the brassy, bright, and promising year of 1959 when Boston’s Colonial Theatre is playing host to the opening night performance of a new musical. When the leading lady mysteriously dies on stage…the entire cast and crew are suspects. Enter a local detective, who just happens to be a musical theatre fan!” 

The winter play was the result of a community effort, hard work, and long nights from boys, faculty, and staff alike. The play follows the success of RL’s fall rendition of Peter and the Starcatcher. RL’s dramatics program this year has so far served as an ability for boys to explore various areas of production and performance, covering many genres. As Mr. Phillips stated, the fall play and the winter musical “could hardly be more different.”

This spring, RL will host the school’s first Night Of Scenes. After two technically challenging shows this school year, this production will provide a less rigorous opportunity for students to engage in the dramatics program, allowing students to explore new opportunities or interests. “One of my goals is to provide different ways for students to get involved, whether they can give a lot of time to theater, or whether they might like to be on stage but are too busy with other activities to commit to the fall or winter offerings,” Mr. Phillips said.

View Curtains production photos, taken by Mr. Marcus Miller, here. 

Cast

Brendan Reichard ’25
Maggie Crowley (NCDS) ’25
Max Kesselheim ’26
Julia Reynolds (TWS) ’25
Ryan Miller ’25
Adele Touloukian (NCDS) ’25
Zayde Martinez (NCDS) ’27
Darian Estrada ’25
Fin Reichard ’26
Liam Walsh ’26
Nick Glaeser ’26
Bruno Kim ’25
Daniel Stepanyan ’25
Tom Pogorelec ’26
Brayden Gillespie ’26
Maeve Cullen (UA) ’25 

Ensemble

Cat Cole-French (NCDS) ’25
Finlay McCormick (NCDS) ’25
Jack Kelly ’28
Jayden Hall ’27,
Liana Min (TWS) ’26
Makenna Devine (UA) ’25
Oliver Colbert ’26
Riley Alqueza ’28
Rory Kelly ’28
Sandy Kario (NCDS) ’26
Sophia Beaver (NCDS) ’25
Teddy Fortuin ’27
Zach Beaver ’27 

Orchestra

Justin Yamaguchi ’24 (Keyboard)
Mr. Ken Opdycke (Drums)
Mr. Greg Sokol (Bass)
Dr. Peter Hyde (Trumpet)
Mr. Daniel Walker (Trombone)
Ms. Angela DiBartolomeo (Horn)
Mr. Shannon Copeland (Reeds)
Mr. Andrés Almirall (Reeds)
Mr. Bruce Hagist (Guitar)
Robbie Sun-Friedman ’25 (Percussion) 

Staff

Stage Manager: Raphael Choumert ’28
Assistant Stage Manager: Chris Vlahos ’26, Omar Baaj ’28 Costume & Props Designer: Ms. Erin Sutton
Costume Props Assistant: Julia Oh (TWS) ’26, Marianne Levitova (TWS) ’25
Sound Designer: Mr. Bryan Brundige
Assistant Technical Director: Austin Reid ’26, Calvin Reid ’25, Joshua Hua ’25, Miles Baumal-Bardy ’25
Lightboard Operator: Paul Tompros ’27
Spotlight Operator: Chris Vlahos ’26, Grant Hedgepeth ’28 

Run Crew

Brian Weeks ’26
Habo Baaj ’26,
Jordan Bornstein ’26
Nitin Muniappan ’26 

Build Crew

Alex Giordano ’25
Alex King ’29
Austin O’Leary ’28
Beckham Holley ’29
Ben Romano ’28
Brian Weeks ’26
Caiden Crowley ’28
Charley Malley ’29
Dylan Lane ’29
Evan Pan ’28
Grant Hedgepeth ’28
Jacob Lando ’29
Jaden Barrack-Anidi ’25
James Boccuzzi ’29
Jasper Hyatt ’28
John Cirasuolo ’28
Joseph Malley ’30
Julian Vidal ’28
Kolby Sahin ’28
Liam Guadagno ’28
Lincoln Hyatt ’26
Luke Conway ’30
Luke Kern ’27
Matthew Young ’28
Nathan Ginsburg ’29
Paul Wilkinson ’25
Raphael Choumert ’28
Robert Flaherty ’29
Sebastian Engler ’29
Tommy Cloutier ’29
Temi Martins Dosumu ’27
Tyler Dearborn ’28