"Dames At Sea"

       As the audience waited in anticipation, the lights dropped and the room became black. Sitting in nothing but pure darkness, a spotlight appeared and there stood Raquel de Souza.

       Dressed in grey knickerbockers, a yellow blouse with light grey shoes, Souza stood center stage staring the crowd head on. As the piano began, so did Souza, belting an upbeat tune about the oh so famous Broadway.

       With tunes pouring from two pianos, Souza sung and danced about where she was soon accompanied by three back-up dancers. The ladies tipped and tapped and spun until the Broadway anthem concluded.

       Thereafter, the ladies stood and begun their lines where they complained about the stress and troubles of Broadway. As it turned out, working on Broadway had not been as pleasant as it had seemed.
   
        "Dames at Sea", which is based on the book by George Haimsohn and Robin Miller, is a musical focusing on a young girl's pursuit to stardom. Covering both the challenges and triumphs of working on Broadway, "Dames at Sea" features Raquel de Souza along with a few other students of the school's theater department.
   
"Dames at Sea" about a musical that is shut down and forced off of Broadway due to financial struggles. Ultimately taking the musical aboard, the play features Souza as its infamous lead singer Mona Kent on some nights, and as Chita on others depending on the schedule of the cast.

       Souza, who learned two roles due to the cast‘s rotation, said the variety made preparations that much more interesting as well as give it a professional feel.



Raquel de Souza

“It’s good because you get a professional type of feel. You always have to be on top of your work. Plus it’s always interesting to watch the other person perform,” said Souza.

       Souza, who previously starred in "The Children’s Hour" and "Working", said that despite the month long rehearsals, working on "Dames at Sea" was more than fun.

“I had so much fun. It was the best chemistry with a cast. The trust and fun atmosphere really helped a lot,” said the theater major.

       The musical which puts a comical spin on the challenges and triumphs of Broadway, kept audience members in laughter, with a few stating that it did not disappoint.

“I thought it was spectacular. I loved it!,” said Mollie Ross.

        Ross, who majors in education, said that the chemistry amongst the actors was one of the things she loved the most.

“I loved the chemistry among the actors. The charisma, everyone was so into their parts,” said Ross.

       Adza Beda, who was also in attendance, said she thought the play was comical and fun.

“I enjoyed it. I thought it was really comical. I really enjoyed the face of one of the boys in the play,” said the communications study major.

       Beda also pointed out the fact that she liked how the actors engaged the audience.

“I think it was perfect. I liked that they weren’t afraid to walk up on you,” said Beda.

       The plays, which premiered on Halloween, ran through November 3 and will run again from Nov. 7 to 10 in the theater of the Donald Savage Building. Tickets are on sale both at the Campbell Student Union and Rockwell Hall, as well can be purchased an hour before the show.