Students from Bronx River joined other students from across NYC at an interactive workshop discussing the Broadway play ‘The Balusters’ and its themes. Sponsored by the Manhattan Theatre Club, participating students and adults in the family matinee got to see the play at Samuel F. Friedman Theatre shortly after the workshop in May.

The MTC served light breakfast such as coffee, juices, and granola bars, before separating students into rooms to introduce themselves to people from other schools, then acting out scenes they created as an activity. Then, students and teachers celebrated with pizza and Caesar salad for lunch.

“The Balusters” is about what happens when a newcomer, Kira, suggests installing a simple stop sign to avoid car accidents, triggering a hilarious neighborhood war over power, tradition and privileges that led to rising conflict.

Anika Noni Rose, who plays Kyra Marshall, and Richard Thomas who plays Elliot Emerson, play major roles in the play.

After the workshop, students walked to the theater where they got their seats, sat down and prepared for the play to start at 2 p.m. The play ran for an hour and a half. Below are the writer’s views on the trip and theater in general.

Aryana Segarra

I’ve experienced a couple of Broadway shows, like “Wicked,” and it was amazing. At the beginning it was low key boring and I was dozing off during the show, but as it went on, the play was great. We got to do a Q&A with the actors on the stage about their experience or their connection to the show after the play. The funny moments were a bit cheesy but they were still funny scenes. For example: how Elliot was destroying the house with the white statue and when the name of the child was called Rocket Pizza. Throughout the play all characters were hilarious. I would recommend people to go see it.

Nanda Mohammed

I’ve been to three plays so far; each was incredible, especially seeing “Aladdin.” This show was confusing at first since I couldn’t tell which character was who, but after, I started to get interested in the play. We were in front where you could see the stage, and the props and sound effects were on point. The play went very well; there was some inappropriate language, but it made the play. I would say there were funny moments when Elliot started to get on wild since he was getting kicked out for being president in the squad, and he started to knock flower pots down and it was just chaotic but funny. I also thought Penny died and was surprised to learn she didn’t. Ruth was a very funny character with her sarcasm.