Having tackled Shakespeare, Greek mythology, and plays both whimsical and profound, South Pasadena High School Drama’s latest production takes audiences on an exhilarating new adventure. Under the deft direction of Nick Hoffa, this fall’s double feature—“Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind” and “Gone Missing”—is a high-energy, interactive, and deeply affecting night of theatre that celebrates both the chaos and the poetry of being human.
The evening begins with “30 Neo-Futurist Plays from Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind (30 Plays in 60 Minutes)”, Greg Allen’s iconic experiment in speed and spontaneity that originated with Chicago’s Neo-Futurists. The concept is ingeniously simple yet electrifying in execution: 30 plays performed in 60 minutes, with the order dictated entirely by audience shout-outs. The result? No two performances are ever the same.
SPHS Drama’s cast of 25 embraces the challenge with unrelenting gusto. Their lightning-fast transitions, quick wit, and sheer fearlessness create a sense of live-wire immediacy that is electric! With scenes ranging from the absurd to the profound, the students navigate hilarity, heartbreak, and everything in between. The audience—shouting out scene numbers, screaming until they’re hoarse, laughing, and cheering—becomes a true collaborator in the mayhem.
Then, just as the laughter subsides, the lights shift, and the tone deepens. Act II’s “Gone Missing”—a documentary-style musical by New York’s The Civilians—turns the spotlight on loss, memory, and the fragile connections that define us. Based on interviews with real New Yorkers about things they’ve lost (from a favorite shoe to a sense of self), the piece moves gracefully between humor and melancholy, painting a touching portrait of humanity’s search for meaning in what slips away.
The ensemble’s ability to pivot from the manic brilliance of “Too Much Light” to the poignant subtlety of “Gone Missing” is nothing short of extraordinary. Each performer brings emotional intelligence and creative precision to their roles, and together they form a cohesive, generous ensemble that supports one another beautifully. Musical accompaniment by Olivia Sakai, Adeline Woo, and Moxxie Ross adds a layer of richness, grounding the show’s emotional core with lyrical sincerity.
Technical direction by James Jontz provides an evocative visual frame—his set and lighting subtly enhancing the themes of impermanence and discovery. Meanwhile, Hoffa’s direction keeps the pace sharp and the energy buoyant, ensuring the audience is both exhilarated and moved by evening’s end.
SPHS Drama has, in the past decade, evolved into one of the most exciting and ambitious high school theatre programs in the region, and this production is a testament to that growth. Every detail—from the inventive staging to the ensemble’s sheer enthusiasm—radiates commitment and artistry.
This is a night of theatre not to be missed – a wild ride that merits multiple viewings as audience members experience a collective consciousness that is both beguiling and a refreshing respite from all that ails us.
The brilliant ensemble players are June Bathelemy, Belen Belavek, Audrey, Berkobien, Logan Burmood, Tiger Carpenter, Gwyneth Daley, Annie DeMaine, Riis Dicky, Claire Heyler-Erickson, Valerie Larious, Sasha Levie, Michelle Maling, Mina Mannal, Rhianon McCree, Sasha Noveman, Baylen Orchard, Charis Park, Em Roberts-Mataric, Moxxie Ross, Olivia Sakai, Radine Simpson, Talia Wechsler, Viviana Williams, Adeline Woo, and Jarvis Wood.
Performances run November 7, 8, 14, 15 at 7:00 p.m. with a 2:00 p.m. matinee on November 16 at South Pasadena High School’s Little Theater, 1401 Fremont Avenue. Tickets are $15 general admission and can be purchased online at southpasdrama.com or at the door (advance purchases are encouraged due to limited seating).
CONTENT MESSAGE: Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind is suitable for all ages, while Gone Missing carries a mild PG-13 rating for occasional language and mature themes.
