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PDS THEATER HIGHLIGHTS THROUGH THE YEARS
It is not only his all-time favorite play, but one he has never directed. And interestingly, the play has never been produced at Princeton Day School since the 1966 production. He noted, “It’s one of those plays that every time I read it or see it, with either professional or amateur actors, I always take away something new from it.” Mr. Cahill envisions this new production as a way to quite literally celebrate the student’s journey through the school, by making use of different locations in the school for each act. Act I will take place in the Gymateria in the Lower School—a focus for our youngest students. Act II will be performed in the Campus Center, a hub for both Middle and Upper School students. And the final act, because of its theatricality, will be performed in the McAneny Theater, a fitting tribute to Herbert McAneny. Mr. Cahill himself will be taking the role of the Stage Manager, the godlike figure who helps the audience navigate the story. And, true to his collaborative style of creating theater with students, a student, Rajiv Potluri ’16, will be directing him in this role. “This play is about cracking through the barriers, and getting to the heart of the story and how we communicate,” said Mr. Cahill. “This is what we do in the theater program at PDS. This is how we do it.” He finally notes, with excitement, “I’ve been waiting to do this play for 20 years!” And now, after 50 years, the Princeton Day School community will visit “Our Town” again. Mr. McAneny would be proud. Stan Cahill
From “Celebrating 40 Years of Theater,” by Jill Goldman ’74
1965-1975
As the founder of the Performing Arts Program, Herbert McAneny made the theater come alive for countless highschoolers from his first performance of Our Town in 1965 to his final performance of Oklahoma in 1976, jointly directed with Don Gilpin. The first musical, Little Mary Sunshine, was directed in 1969 under the musical direction of Frank Jacobson. Mr. McAneny directed one of PDS’s most famous alumni, Christopher Reeve ’70, in many productions including Little Mary Sunshine and The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.
1975-1985
The second decade began with Ten Little Indians, directed by guest director Jack Osander from McCarter Theatre. Building upon the success of Herbert McAneny, the musical Anything Goes was performed under the creative direction of Don Gilpin, supported by Frank Jacobson as the musical director and Mimi Schwensen, a former Rockette, as choreographer. In 1979, at the invitation of a PDS alumnus, the production of Carnival was performed at the Circle Theatre in Manhattan. In 1983, Gilpin experimented with a new format for the fall plays, presenting a series of one-act plays based on The Good Woman of Szechuan, The Proposal and The Man Who Turned Into a Dog.
1985-1995
Don Gilpin completed his tenure at PDS with the production of Mame and Arms and the Man. The next two years featured guest director Chris Rothwell, who tested the students’ skills with The Mikado and Noises Off. In 1987, Paul Bernstein was appointed director and oversaw three musicals and four dramas. Frank Jacobson was responsible for musical direction during Bernstein’s tenure, contributing to the rave reviews received by Hello Dolly, How to Succeed in Business and Anything Goes. Ross Hindley took over the director’s role in 1991, beginning a long and acclaimed directing tenure.
1995-2005
Ross Hindley brought a new level of professionalism and enthusiasm to the stage while encouraging students to take risks and try new roles, in both acting and technical positions. Frank Jacobson remained as musical director through 1999’s production of Mame, and returned for On The Town. In 2000, Bryce Hayes came to PDS and worked with Hindley as musical director through 2004’s production of Lucky Stiff. Mr. Hindley exposed both cast and crew to professional theater by bringing in dancer/choreographer Jim Ruttman, lighting designer Craig Steltzenmuller, costume designer Frank Champa, and conductor Jerry Rife.
FALL 2015