On Fri., Oct. 3 and Sat., Oct. 4 from 6:30-9 p.m. in the auditorium, Drama production went horribly wrong. In their production “The Play that Goes Wrong,” sophomores Dylan Gordon, Ava Erlich, Jolie Bickler and Gabriel Nathan, juniors Brynn Levy, Matthew Masin and Serenity Henry and freshman Pedro Aguilar assumed the roles of Chris, Annie, Rachel, Dennis, Sandra, Max, Taylor and Jonathan, respectively. Tickets were available for purchase on the eStore for $15.

“The Play That Goes Wrong” was originally by Henry Lewis, Henry Shields and Jonathan Sayer of Mischief Theatre Company. It began as a small production and grew into an award-winning London and Broadway sensation.

The play follows the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society, an amateur theater group, as they attempt to perform a murder mystery entitled “The Murder at Haversham Manor.” However, as they are performing everything goes horribly wrong, from forgotten lines to malfunctioning props to actor injuries.

For instance, some of the comedic mishaps in the show revolve around Taylor, the sound operator. She sits in front of the audience and consistently misses her cues and plays music at inappropriate times, contributing to the production’s chaotic atmosphere.

In “The Play That Goes Wrong,” the characters Chris, Sandra, Jonathan, Annie, Max and Dennis play the “The Murder at Haversham Manor” characters Inspector Carter, Florence Colleymoore, Charles Haversham, Florence Colleymoore, Cecil Haversham and Arthur the Gardener and Perkins the Butler, respectively.

“This is my first ever play here at Douglas Drama, and what I would definitely say stands out is the friendship between everyone here,” Masin said. “Everyone is very supportive and uplifting of each other and we just have a very positive environment, which lets us push ourselves to work harder.”

In the week prior to the show, performers frequently practiced from 3-5 p.m., with dress rehearsal from 4-6 p.m. on Oct. 1.

“Leading up to the performance, I was so excited to perform the role of Perkins within this show. All the actors on stage are so special and really make the experience full of anticipation, laughter and fun,” Nathan said.

The main cast of the play was composed of mainly new students, none of whom had been in a production before, as well as a few returning ones. This made the performance extra special for the new drama students involved, who worked hard to bring their characters to life in their own way.

“I am most proud of all the newest members of MSD Drama,” drama teacher Melody Herzfeld said. “Most everyone in the cast was a first timer on the stage or in a leading role and also our understudy, Jolie Bickler, stepped up two weeks before opening. Wow.”

“The Play That Goes Wrong” was the first of three shows that Drama Club will perform this school year.

Each member of Drama Club plays an important role in ensuring that productions go smoothly. From instruction by Herzfeld to the behind-the-scenes staffers in charge of everything from lighting to special effects to hair and makeup, productions are made possible by collective effort.

“I love working behind the scenes in hair and makeup because I get to work with all my friends,” junior Abigail Bejarano said. “My favorite thing to do in hair is braiding, because I’m really good at it.”

“The Play That Goes Wrong” was a memorable first play for the Drama Club that gave new members a chance in the spotlight. With future productions looming, members will only continue enhancing their skills, aiming to be bigger and better than before.

“The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given about being a performer in drama is always do more, always be bigger, there’s never too much,” Gordon said.