Immaculata provides powerful performances

In a world devoid of joy and pain, one person seeks to uncover the hidden horrors of a selfproclaimed utopian community in Immaculata High School’s production of The Giver.

Originally a novel by Lois Lowry, The Giver is a classic tale of a seemingly perfect world where life is simple, under control, and — most importantly — safe. The play revolves around a young boy called Jonas, who is assigned for training from an enigmatic man called The Giver. In a future community where pain, joy and even colour are incomprehensible to the average citizen, The Giver is the only person who holds the memories of long ago. Soon enough, Jonas learns the truth about the past as well as the horrors of his socalled perfect world.

Jonas, played by Dylan McCarthy, brought charm and believability to the performance. When experiencing the many memories from long ago, McCarthy successfully portrayed a range of emotions, ranging from joy to overwhelming pain. He was joined by Nathan Brazel as The Giver, an elderly man with a tragic and well-hidden past. Brazel successfully embodied such, depicting The Giver’s growth as a character with ease.

Austin Moore, Kristina Maione, and Chloe Walker, played Jonas’s Father, Mother and Sister, respectively. As the father, Moore displayed flawless timing and believability. Maione and Walker tied the family unit together.

The set, costumes and makeup. were the proper backdrop for the performance. Designed by Nathalia De La Roche, the set reflected Jonas’s world. When he was unable to see colour, the set was a palette of black, white and grey. As he matured and learned to see the true, vibrant world, both the set and makeup (designed by Angela Paolino) matched this. Ranging from a splash of red lipstick to a vibrant bookshelf, the details were carefully considered for Jonas’s transformation.

The lighting and sound designs, created by Wal Wal and Adam Bothelo, also captured these transformations. When The Giver remembered a warm sunset, the lights bathed the stage in bright shades of orange and yellow. Each emotion and accompanying memory was meticulously accompanied. The sound was also carefully chosen to bring Jonas’s world to life.

With its believable characters, excellent timing, and attention to details, Immaculata High School gave a performance brimming with talent and exceeding most expectations.