In November 2024, the Upper Saint Clair Theater Department put on their production of the play: For Better or Wurst. The show ran four times in November and was a great success.
The play tells the story of Nick Noir and his fiancée/secretary Selma. Right before their wedding, Selma reveals that her father is Otto Meyer, a man who made a fortune selling his famous hot dogs. In another turn of events, Mr. Meyer’s manager Cosmo suddenly turns up dead after frantically trying to plan the wedding on time. As they search for clues at Selma’s parent’s mansion with the intent of solving the murder mystery, their journey is filled with comical mishaps and commotion.
The play does not only leave an impact on the audience. 20 young actors were also able to have a great experience because of it. Playing Selma Meyer, one of the stars of the performance, Sofia Jahn says “Participating in the fall play this year was one of the best choices I’ve made in high school. I’ve met so many wonderful, talented people in just the two months that we’ve had for this process that I would now consider close friends- the sense of community that has been built around this show is unmatched.” The production is led by director Eliza Luxbacher, with assistance from producers Steve Torquato and Jane Dodd.
Ms. Luxbacher also had some insight to share on her experiences directing this play. She says “My favorite thing about every theater experience at Upper St. Clair is that it offers a space for everyone to be and to become a stronger, more confident, more authentic version of themselves. Students can show up knowing they will be welcomed and that they will belong in this inclusive community. It is a beautiful experience to see students who have never acted and students who have always acted collaborating as teammates and friends to build something so special. I am so proud to be a part of it!
There are also multiple student staff members, including student director Ruby Fick. She explains “I think the experience of For Better or Wurst has been wonderful. In the past, I’ve only ever been in musicals; this is my first play. I thought that it would be a lot less exciting without the musical numbers, but it really wasn’t. One of the perks of the Fall Play was the size of the cast, standing at 18. While large casts can be fun, I’ve found that for the most part everyone works well together and everyone’s in on the jokes. And believe me, there were many. As the student director, I had the privilege of watching the majority of the show both from the audience and backstage. I was expected to fill in for anyone who missed a rehearsal, stay on book, take notes, and prepare the delicious microwave hotdogs that just happened to be the fragrance that took over backstage! I don’t think any of us will reach for a hotdog at a barbecue anytime soon. Anyway, For Better or Wurst has been a great show, and I think that everyone has new experiences and memories to take away from it.”
The Upper St. Clair Theater program has plenty of experience with performing successful plays. Each year, they produce both fall and spring musicals. During the 2023-2024 school year, USCHS performed adaptations of Neil Simon’s “Rumors” in the Fall and the Broadway musical “Newsies” in the Spring. It can be anticipated that the theater department will be putting on popular and successful plays for many years to come.