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N.J.S.D. families were treated to a chicken dinner and a series of songs and performances from the drama club at the annual Madrigals Dinner on Dec. 3.

This year, they featured two performances – a lunch at 1:30 p.m. and a dinner at 6:30 p.m.  Hosted inside the cafeteria, dark cloth surrounded the main area with tables, with moody lighting focusing on a table of student performers who entertained guests with a repertoire of holiday tunes both foreign and recognized.

Senior Drake Jesse held one of the two large seats at the center of the performers’ table. As the king, he confirmed that it earned his seal of approval.

“The best thing my servants have done was make the show very great. I saw a lot of people jumping out of their seats at some parts, and overall it was just a magnificent show,” Drake said.

Following the music, some of the actors attempted a dramatic re-enactment of Cinderella.  Though, as the lead actress was quick to recognize, the script was based on a lesser-known “original” version of the story – featuring less magic, amputated limbs, and a plot mainly advanced by birds.  Furthermore, a significantly reduced cast size of two people and a narrator meant that the actors had to continuously switch roles; senior Emma Cartwright rapidly switched between separate wigs to play both of Cinderella’s stepsisters and stepmother, even between lines.  However, these differences in content were insufficient to dissuade the audience, who repeatedly laughed and applauded the performance.

Following the event, sophomore Claudia Bjornstad reflected: “It was a lot of fun, especially for our jesters.  It was a lot of running around, and very physical active stuff.  It was so much fun. The singers did so well; I’m so proud of them.  Their singing always blows me away.”  She also noted the quality of the recorder ensemble and band.

Despite this, Bjornstad expressed her appetite for change.

She feels that the event needs more publicity.  “Not a lot of students showed up, a lot of families did, but definitely show up next year — it’ll be so much fun. “