PLAY REVIEW of REVENGE ON DE NILE By: Rebecca Costa

The 8th Annual Cardinal Newman Murder Mystery is just great. Mixing a murder, some clues, a voice from the beyond, and a little comedy is apparently the recipe for success. Director Ms.Demsar has done it again. Measuring up to the high school standard, Revenge on De Nile is a great play. Invite your family, friends, five-year-old cousins; this play has a comedic feel that is intended for everyone and grabs the attention of anyone.

Taking place in modern day Egypt in a newly discovered pyramid and circling around eight people who were invited only to find that the person who invited them is now dead. Eight people were present, one dead body, who killed Jules Sharm el Sheikh? Was it his loving wife, his loyal servant, his close friends, his business associate or one of the three women he had a relationship with?

In comparison to the famous board game Clue, you need to have the stereotypical suspects. You need the smart people, the common people, the risk takers and the pretty people. As far as the low level people go, Matt Del Fiacco gave a wonderful and comedic approach to his character Beni Hassan. He was always breaking out into song and dance and not knowing the most common of sayings in the English language. But I cannot talk about wonderful performances without mentioning Amanda Viger who plays the loveable, selfish and clueless Cleo Sharm el Sheikh. With her loveable attitude and funny out bursts such as "playing find the rubber ducky" with the pool boy. You can't help but love her character.

An amazing cast, director Ms. Demsar, and producer Miss Morris made a great play. Stratford make way, Cardinal Newman is hitting the stage!!!

PLAY REVIEW of REVENGE ON DE NILE By Emily Quiprel

Revenge on De Nile is a thrilling murder mystery that will keep the audience guessing throughout the entire performance. The play is filled with humour, excitement, and mystery. The nine-person cast included, John-Michael Pellizzari, Matt DelFiacco, Marcus Bernacci, Marcus Gatto, Julia Vandenbeukel, Cheyenne Federicioni, Hannah Peixoto, Amanda Viger, and Joe Elshamy.

Revenge on De Nile was directed by M.A Demsar, a drama teacher at the school who has written many other plays. She truly found a way to include humour and mystery together in one play. The plot? Everyone has received a letter, from their dear friend Jules Sharm el Sheikh, played by Joe Elshmay, that leads them to a tomb inside a pyramid. While inside the tomb, a sarcophagus opens, to reveal that their friend Jules is dead. They must find out who the murderer is, and how to escape from the tomb.

The audience is always guessing throughout the play, and there is never a dull moment. The lighting was very effective at enhancing the mood and conflict, as was the music, which always suited the situation. The costumes really brought out each character. Some were broad and elaborate, and others were adventurous and bold. They truly stated part of their personality. The set was very realistic. The hieroglyphics made you feel like they were in a tomb, and the different props and objects added to the affect. The one location set was brilliant and worked very well as a setting.

This play should definitely be recommended to students of all ages. There was a little bit of everything for everyone. This play is suitable for any age, and would make everyone laugh and keep them guessing. Great Job Writer / Director Ms. Demsar and Producer Miss Morris.

This past fall, the drama classes were fortunate to have a guest instructor, in the person of PAUL POPOWICH, a well-known movie and T V actor, and graduate of Cardinal Newman. He conducted a course for the Grade 11 students called “Acting for the Camera.” The results of this experience were very evident in the final exam performances, done by these students. Thank you Paul. You are a wonderful teacher.

We are offering a new course next year. MUSICAL THEATRE AMT 301

The course teaches singing, acting, dancing, set and costume design for a Broadway show, and guess what the culminating activity is for this course????? Of course----------- a Broadway Musical

Now to our Major Production for May 7,8.9. Originally it was to have been “Little Shop Of Horrors”, but alas, a professional company is doing the show in the spring, so all-amateur rights were withdrawn.

But do not fear. We are pleased to announce that our show this year will be JOSEPH and the AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT” The show was first done here in 1986, and then again in 2000 to open the present building.

Everyone connected with the show is thrilled, and people have been wandering around the school humming the music all during the exams, so come on out and see the 2008 version of this very popular show.

2 feeder school performances MAY 5 and 6 3 evening performances MAY 7,8,9.

“GO- GO- GO –JO”