College Avenue Players ace performance of full-length, student-written 'Teen Spirit'

Over the weekend, the College Avenue Players (CAP) debuted the organization's first full-length, student-written play. "Teen Spirit" had major expectations to meet — luckily, audience members left in high spirits by the time the show concluded. 

The play, directed by Patrick-Flynn Osborne, a School of Arts and Sciences senior, went off without a hitch, with only a few of the jokes missing the mark. The success of this play will hopefully set a new tradition for CAP by bringing in a new group of students to create an original project each year.

The plot of "Teen Spirit" revolves around four first-year college students on a quest to buy alcohol without identification in 1995. Along the way, the group is challenged by the store's eccentric staff, including a membership checker, a phone promoter, a stocker, a food sampler, a pharmacist, a cashier and, finally, a receipt checker.

To bring this unconventional idea to life, the play borrows from other media with its own unique spin — the play's premise and comedic tone were reminiscent of "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World" and "Scream," respectively.

"Teen Spirit" also borrows from college and high school stereotypes, to varying degrees of success. 

The main cast of the show included the fraternity bro Derik (School of Arts and Sciences sophomore Mason Springer-Lipton), teacher's pet Bichael (School of Arts and Sciences senior Myron Molina), theater star Aliena (School of Arts and Sciences junior Aniya Naughton) and jock Celine (School of Arts and Sciences first-year Danylah Jones). 

The actors played these archetypes to a tee, especially Naughton, who seamlessly slipped into the role of the attention-seeking Aliena. For the most part, these characters came across as people you probably know and may even be friends with. Bichael was the perfect representation of the introverted bookworm who only becomes outspoken around certain people.

There were times, though, when the writing and performing felt over the top and on the nose, especially with Derik. While Springer-Lipton consistently had the crowd erupting into laughter with his recurring joke of being part of the fraternity Alpha Beta Sigma Male, his character's writing didn't feel as fleshed out as the others.

But what truly stood out about the show was its extended cast of supporting characters. The encounters with the seven antagonists were some of the best-written and acted scenes of "Teen Spirit."

A highlight from the show involved a free sampler (School of Engineering sophomore Christopher Noel) chanting "free O.J.," sparking a debate over O.J. Simpson's innocence while the character was simply selling orange juice. The pharmacist (School of Arts and Sciences senior Emery Clomax) injected the show with chaotic energy while reminiscing over his missing goldfish. 

Professor Beautheul (School of Arts and Sciences junior Gabriella Avagyan) was the true scene-stealer, though, constantly fixating on his ongoing divorce and his car, named Martha. Even when the focus was on the four main teens, Avagyan's physical performance engrossed the audience.

On top of the acting and writing, another impressive element was the stage crew, who flawlessly managed to change between the different sets of the show, particularly the classroom and the supermarket Priceco Wholesale Club. When it was time for the intermission, to make it feel like the audience was in the store with the characters, the crew added an engaging element by making announcements over a lounge speaker.

Unlike other high-brow theater productions, the play didn't take itself too seriously — it was willing to poke fun at itself and the typical coming-of-age story. Judging from the constant laughter of audience members, this was something they appreciated, too.

Above all else, "Teen Spirit" was an impressive showing for the troupe's first student-written, full-length play, hopefully serving as a stepping stone to more in the future. 

For those looking for more antics from CAP, be sure to check out its annual student-written sketch comedy show, Wacky Hijinks, when it debuts on April 19.