JFK Drama Takes Over "Takin' Over The Asylum"

Photo by Khanh Do

On April 23, 24, and 25, the John F. Kennedy Theatre and Stagecraft classes put on their production of the play “Takin’ Over the Asylum”. There was an evening show each night and for the first time in JFK Theatre, there was a matinee show on Saturday. Another first that happened in this production was the inclusion of two different casts: Love Cast, who performed Thursday and Saturday night, and Soul Cast, who performed Friday night and Saturday afternoon. The play follows a radio station that is put into the psychology ward of a hospital and the chaos that ensues as the patients, who are loonies and are proud, get involved.

This play was based off of a television series of the same name that was aired on British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Scotland in the 90s. It was later developed into a play written by Donna Franceschild. It was produced twice in Scotland but had never been done in the United States until now. Amélie Pons (12) had discovered the play through watching the show and brought up the idea to Mrs. Dohm about JFK Theatre producing the show.

“It started in November of 2024 when I found out the show had a play adaptation,” Pons explained. “I’d been a fan for years so I would’ve done anything for the rights. In this case, it meant: Nonstop research on the author, the play itself, and actually reading the fine print on the front of the book… Eventually I tracked down the writer’s agent, whom I proceeded to email back and forth for months to work out the license.”

Pons ended up playing one of the main roles of Campbell in the Love Cast.

Sofia Valdivia (12) has been in drama class since her freshman year and this was her fourth production with JFK Theatre. She played the character Evelyn in the Soul Cast.

“My favorite part about my character, Evelyn, was that she felt like all of my [past] characters,” Valdivia mentioned. “I’m a very sentimental person, so tying in the bossiness of my freshman year Kate, the 'girl with a mission’ from sophomore year and a dash of the ‘evilness’ of junior year Wicked Witch was really cool.”

This play contained a mix of drama and comedy, having something for all audience members to enjoy. It contained many comedic moments mixed with some darker and more serious themes.

Armaandeep Kaur (12), who played Margaret in the Love Cast, stated, “My favorite memory of the show was when we were going through the script for the first time [because] we all were laughing together while reading the script in the beginning but towards the end we learned how serious this play is going to be.”

“People are becoming less aware of the real issues that people actually go through and are forgetting to be sensitive when it actually matters,” commented Kaylana Sarmiento (12). “This is a show handling mental health, stigma around mental illness and mental disabilities, domestic abuse, sexual abuse, trauma, etc.. This show is just a good reminder to actually take these topics seriously.”

Sarmiento played the role of Campbell in the Soul Cast. They have been in theatre for two years and have been a part of four different productions.

“My favorite thing about the character I played is that he tries,” Sarmiento mentioned. “He just keeps going. I fear I related to him on a deeply personal level. He also is just a fun character overall, especially when he interacts with other characters.”

“I found Campbell really relatable at the time I’d discovered TOTA, so he has a really special place in my heart,” Pons said. “So to get something with such a timeless message out into the community again meant the chance of another person feeling the same way as I did.”

This year Mr. Adams’ Stagecraft class built an intricate set for the production to use. They also built a photobooth that was placed outside of the theatre for the actors, crew, and audience to use.

“My favorite part was being able to perform on such an amazing set,” Valdivia said. “The show really came to life because of that.”

The show came together for the three days of shows through the hard work of over 15 actors, over 50 techs and countless teachers, admin and parents.

“I liked seeing the group collaboration,” mentioned Pons. “I don’t think I’ve seen a show so collectively loved like this one was, and the sense of community that this particular show fostered was so heartwarming to see.”

The show marked the senior’s last theatre production at Kennedy, with many actors being in the program for all four years that they were at Kennedy.

“I feel really emotional that all of this is coming to an end but I’m grateful for each and everyone who was part of this play,” Kaur, who was in theatre for three years, concluded. “Because of them and the dedication they put in it came out so beautifully.”