By, Mack Olmsted, Asst. Production Editor

MC Players is stepping back into the spotlight with their new performance, “Play On,” a Rick Abbot play which was supposed to debut before the pandemic. 

The original plan for “Play On” was to have the show in 2020, but when Manhattan College went virtual due to COVID, the MC Players board made the decision to delay the performance until they could do it perfectly. Now, the wait is almost over and the cast will soon be on stage. 

Joe Bonaventura is a senior mechanical engineering major and is looking forward to taking on the role of the production and stage manager for “Play On.”

“One of the things I am looking forward to the most about “Play On” is the set itself, it’s going to be falling apart. We’re going to have tables collapsing, set pieces breaking and a bunch of fun things and don’t want to say too much about that because that’ll spoil the show altogether,” said Bonaventura.

“Play On” is a comedy about a production that goes wrong, featuring great punchlines and spectacular physical comedy that will be sure to knock your socks off. The hardworking cast and crew is giving it their all to make this production as entertaining as possible.

The play is directed by Madeline Byrne with help from their assistant director, RJ Giannicchi. The play will be starring Mike Sperduto, Tess Nunan, Gina Ricardo, Sam Gilfillan, Matt Herlihy, Anna Burnett, Annie Brennan, Luis Chavez, Jillian Tuthill and TJ Perez.

Byrne is a junior chemical engineering major and has been a part of MC Players since their freshman year. Last year Byrne got a director’s credit which they have been eager to use since. 

“It all came full circle, I started out as an actor, then I was just helping out, painting sets but it all led to directing the upcoming play and I just can’t believe it. It’s been a journey” said Byrne.

Byrne is looking forward to working with one of their closest friends, RJ Giannicchi.

“RJ Giannicchi, my assistant director, is the funniest person that I have ever met. He hits it out of the park with comedy,” Byrne said.

Giannicchi is a junior political science and media production major, and was very excited about being part of the production side of MC Players.

“I’ve acted before. I met one of my best friends, Byrne, on the set of ‘She Kills Monsters.’ I’m thrilled to step into the production side of things and to keep the train moving, to see what we can do to make Jaspers laugh,” Giannicchi said.

Of course, it takes a team to create this performance, and much of it is all on the actors. The cast of “Play On” are looking forward to putting on a great show.

TJ Perez is a sophomore English and communication major, who will be playing the role of Louise in the upcoming play. Perez hasn’t acted since middle school and is ready to step back into the spotlight and show the audience her acting talent.

“It’s been six years since I last acted, and I thought to myself it seemed like a really funny show and I wanted to go for it. It seemed like it would be a lot of fun. It is definitely going to be a fun show to work on. I can’t wait to work on the set. I am nervous but the cast will get me through it, we’re all friends, they’re great people to work with,” Perez said.

MC Players are a big part of  Perez’s life at Manhattan College and she was very appreciative of all the hard work and love that they put into their productions.

Annie Brennan is a freshman communication major with a concentration in production, who is playing the role of Smitty in the upcoming play. This play is going to be Brennan’s acting debut. Brennan has worked as a stage crew member for five years prior to attending MC and has since become a stage manager for MC Players. 

“I’m excited to read through my lines and to become this new person. I’m not going to lie. I am also very nervous about being on stage performing for the first time, but there’s something about it that is exciting and it’s such an amazing feeling to be a part of something new,” Brennan said. 

MC Players’ production, “Play On” will be performing live on stage from March 4 through March 6.