OHS’ original production #LOVEHATE premiered on Friday, February 10th. Students, friends, and family gathered to celebrate the talented cast on opening night. The audience was buzzing with anticipation for this well-sought-after performance. 

OHS theater teacher Dallas Myers wrote the original script, based on a beloved and well-known play The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare. Comedy, romance, and originality make this piece worthwhile, which is the basis for this unique production. 

Senior Asenath Wetzel, cast as Biondella, commented that communication is key on an opening night. “When there are problems, which there always are, we just find help and work through them together,” she explained. 

Wetzel made clear her role in #LOVEHATE contrasts with previous roles of hers as “[she] got to do a really interesting part this time, one that [she hasn’t] really gotten to do before.” Wetzel further explained the cause of this is that “[she’s] normally a quiet person and now [she] gets to run around and be loud, so it was really fun as [she] got to explore new things.”

Wezel noted her favorite moment in the play was a surprise to the audience as two actors came off-stage and into the crowd itself. Molly McKaughan, a viewer who was seated next to this surprise appearance, expressed her utter shock when part of the cast came off-stage. “It was so good, they all sat next to me!” she commented. “I loved it! […] They did really well, they chose a great cast!” McKaughan exclaimed. 

Cast member Rebecca Hyre, who plays Lucentia, remarks on the heavier topics mentioned in the play. “We had to learn very quickly as we made it that there was a lot of misogyny that we had to address,” she said. “We definitely focused on that as opening night approached seeing as students in the class didn’t approve of the misogyny in modern contexts.”

Hyre agrees with Wetzel’s previous statements on community-building as she comments “we’ve learned to really rely on each other and understand one another, […] and encourage each other a lot more. We’ve definitely grown an environment and community that’s stronger.” 

Possibly the most recognized adaptation is 10 Things I Hate About You a 90’s rom-com that is modernized and does well with connecting to younger audiences the same way #LOVEHATE, Olympia High School’s adaptation of the play, connects with students. 

It’s fair to say this original production is worthwhile. The community and cast alone make this production so special and important to the student body. In the words of Hyre, “come and see the show!”