Aliso Niguel Theatre Company (ANTC)’s fall performance is “The Passage.” The show dates are Nov. 2-4 at 7:00 p.m. and Nov. 5 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Tickets went on sale on Oct. 10, and seats are very limited due to the play being set in a black box stage. 

“The Passage” is a play by Robert Lawson that reworks the novel Moby Dick. 

“With an array of songs, contemporary humor, and the weaving of various myths, a group of whalers set off on an epic hunt. But once on the water, the obsessed Captain Ahab steers them on an entirely different course,” stated the ANTC website. 

Makena Mosher (12) plays Captain Ahab. Captain Ahab is one of the main characters of the show and the captain of the ship Pequod. 

“Playing Captain Ahab is one of the hardest roles I’ve ever played, but super fun! I am most excited for the audience to be fully immersed into the world we create with singing, movement, and puppetry!” stated Makena. 

Other cast members include the narrator, Ishamel, played by Corrie Denton (12), and first mate Starbuck, played by Nick Breen (11), who rebels against Captain Ahab as he chases down Moby Dick. 

Corrie stated, “this is also the largest role I’ve been entrusted with! While I do have the opportunity to perform and be on stage for a large portion of the show, it is truly an ensemble-driven production. I’m so incredibly impressed by the effort of the cast and the creativity of all the crews!”

She also explained how “The Passage” is unlike anything the ANTC has ever done. 

“I appreciate the flexibility and sort of abstract art we get to create–such as shadow dancing and a short film within the show itself.” 

The ANTC have been rehearsing during their seventh period. They practice Mondays to Thursdays, from 3:25 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. 

They run lines, go over staging, and continue producing the show for the public. The crew prepares the props, stage, music, and costumes. 

Makena explained how rehearsals have been going smoothly, adding that she has been tasked to wear stilts every day.

“I gain about a foot in height so everyone has to look up at me,” she explained. 

The ANTC has been posting information about the cast on their Instagram, as well as posting photos and videos from rehearsals. 

Unlike the stage set being a proscenium stage, “The Passage” will take place in a black box stage. The last time this setup was used was for ANTC’s 2019 fall production, “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime.” 

The black box will create an immersive experience as the audience will be able to sit at seats on all four sides of the stage.