Students from Jesuit High School Sacramento joined students from Saint Francis High School and Rio Americano High School to produce the Fall Play event entitled “My Pandemic Love Story” (MPLS). Through song, dance, and monologue, the performers relived and revealed the realities they experienced  during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The cast did a fantastic job of balancing all parts of the play to keep the audience attentive and involved. They masterfully balanced comedy with the more serious matters they encountered during the pandemic, and by sharing their stories, they allowed the audience to reflect on their own personal pandemic experiences as well. 

The transition between acts was also very well organized and exciting because the audience never knew from where the next person would appear. When entering and exiting, the cast would walk through one of three doors, which made every transition flow seamlessly and the whole atmosphere of the play more professional and serious. The mystery of what door the next cast member would walk out from led to suspense and left the audience engaged even in the moments of transition. This technique also made for a smooth combination of stories that allowed them to all connect together to tell a larger story.

The cast also did a great job at finding comedic situations about the COVID-19 pandemic by making scenes relatable to what the audience had lived through. One of my favorite scenes was a scene about the toilet paper shortage during the pandemic that exaggerated the experience through a giant musical number. The relatable and exaggerated comedy really made the these portions of the play something to remember.

Despite the majority of the play poking fun at the hardships we endured during the pandemic, the play also had solemn themes of loss and the fear of losing someone during that time. After all, a lot of people lost someone or something important to them in the pandemic. The play did a great job at honoring those loved ones we lost and gave us a respectful show dedicated to them.

The Fall Play “My Pandemic Love Story” was a great show full of comedy and heartfelt stories of loss. The cast did an outstanding job connecting with the audience and highlighting moments of joy found in the pandemic. The drama department took on the challenge of balancing some very difficult moments of grief with the upbeat moments, and it succeeded perfectly.