By Gaby Maldonado
WHITE PLAINS - On Nov. 3 and 4, drama unfolded at White Plains High School as the fall play, "Deadline," captivated audiences with its suspenseful storyline and unexpected twists.
“Deadline” revolves around eight writers who gather at an author's island mansion in the North Atlantic. Expecting a peaceful challenge—a 24-hour opportunity to make progress on their novels—the writers soon discover that it is far from a calming retreat. In truth, they are brought together to solve a murder mystery, with the victim and killer both unknown. The challenge: craft and execute the perfect murder to win a million-dollar prize. As time goes on, the questions linger: who will strike first and who will survive the deadline?
The play, directed by Ms. Cepler with the help of the student directors Annelyse Javier, Engelyse Javier, and Frida Loher, kept the audience on the edge of their seats trying to figure out who the killer could be. The vintage couch and fireplace enhanced the elements of the play, adding an extra layer to the production.
The cast made up of WPHS students delivered great performances that brought the characters to life. From a social media-obsessed extrovert (Liora Miriam Shuf) to a mother of three boys with a slight coffee obsession (Jordan Adeniyi), each person portrayed their own unique personalities and motives, leaving the audience guessing “who did it?” until the very end.
The character that stood out to me the most was Carswell Chalmers, played by junior Evangeline Dalton. Dalton captivated the audience with their portrayal of a sexist old man with an affinity for impromptu narrating. Despite the intense mystery unfolding on stage, Chalmers injected moments of humor, making the audience burst into laughter. Dalton's performance added to the overall experience, making Chalmers a memorable character in the story.
As the final act approached, it was revealed that Meyers (Amanda Araujo Ramos) was the murderer. The conclusion of "Deadline" left the audience in shock, applauding the cast and crew for their performance. The next Theater Unlimited plays will be in January and February. You won’t want to miss it!