[REVIEW] Or Worse, Expelled!
In various programs at McMaster University, there are students who work tirelessly to craft and conduct annual productions to showcase their passion for the performing arts. Last week, the Bachelor of Health Sciences program took their turn at centre stage with their eighth annual production, Or Worse, Expelled!, in a four-show run at Hamilton’s Citadel Theatre. Directed by BHSc student Belle Cao, the spectacle excelled with its earnest storyline and riveting musical numbers – but the spotlight focused on a cast who infused the show with enthralling dramatic flare.
The musical detailed the investigation into the potential expulsion of one of BHSc’s star students, Becca Young (Danielle Meschino). Surrounded by her close friends Logan (Adam Suleman), Jacqueline (Victoria Jelilyan), Valerie (Lily Park), and boyfriend Peter (Evan Benak), Becca is placed atop a pedestal by her peers and labelled as “the perfect girl.” When a conniving colleague named Ricky (Esai Bishop) wreaks havoc by accusing Becca of rigging the BHSc Society elections, the entire Health Sciences community riles in the aftershock. To lead investigator Ms. Randall (Eliza Pope), things do not look good for young Becca; the executive board is made up of her closest friends. And so ensues the investigation, told through song and dance, as Becca’s supporters rally together to clear her name and keep her in the program. As the pending trial looms above them all, tensions flare and emotions rise. Audiences soon realize that no one – and no thing – is ever what they seem.
From its inception to its execution, the production was impressive. The main cast, supporting cast, chorus, and orchestra boasted a repertoire of remarkable talent. Adapted from a collection of scores that ranged from Wicked to Rent, the co-ordinators did a refreshing job with the vocal and choreography arrangements. Song lyrics were also rife with program-wide jokes and quips, leaving the audience in uproarious laughter. Though some of the hilarity may have fallen short for those not familiar with the Health Sciences program, the cast’s charm ensured a thoroughly enjoyable show for anyone. Perhaps a downfall of the production were times where the orchestra drowned out actors’ voices, creating a few plot holes for those who misheard lines. The blame lies in the quality of the microphones, a negligible detail in an otherwise unsullied production.
Though all of the cast and crew were commendable, Meschino and Pope stole the show. One of the most gripping numbers was “I Have A Feeling,” a song performed by the pair and adapted from Wicked’s “What Is This Feeling.” Vocally, both actors are forces of nature. Meschino managed to sing, dance, and act beautifully through the entire evening — a monumental feat on its own — exuding raw emotion that led to a riveting yet wholly believable performance. Pope was just as phenomenal, delivering her role with astounding conviction and a charisma that left the audience in awe. It is further notable that Benak and Bishop impressed individually, owning their roles with captivating finesse. But it was the effortless chemistry between Meschino and Benak, as well as Pope and Bishop, that bound the show together.
Perhaps the strongest point of the musical lies in its story. As the entire cast meets for the final number, the five friends come together with Ricky and Ms. Randall, uniting in their acceptance of each others’ mistakes. This is a relatable story about the pressures of living up to expectation, and the importance of recognizing that it’s alright to mess up. I particularly enjoyed how the show ended.
Although Becca confessed her guilt, the trial concluded in her innocence. Still, she decided to leave the program. This ending is not a conventional “happy ending,” but it is the perfect set of ellipses to leave audiences in satisfying reflection.
