The Edmonton Journal is proud to host reviews of local high school theatrical productions, written by student reviewers through the Alberta Youth Theatre Collective. This review focuses on Holy Trinity Catholic High School's production of Plan 9 From Outer Space.
Chaos, Corpses, and Cult Classics
Sometimes the 'worst film ever made' can inspire one of the most entertaining stage productions you'll ever see. Holy Trinity Catholic High School's production of Plan 9 From Outer Space delivered a lively and entertaining show filled with creativity and humor. Based on Edward D. Wood Jr.'s unusual 1957 science-fiction film, originally released under the title Grave Robbers from Outer Space, the stage version embraced the odd and wacky spirit that earned the original movie a cult following. Written and directed by Wood, an ambitious filmmaker who dreamed of creating great movies despite limited resources, the story follows aliens who attempt to stop humanity from developing powerful weapons by resurrecting the dead and causing chaos on Earth. The stage adaptation by Brian Newell captures the humor and eccentric charm of the original while celebrating Wood's relentless passion for filmmaking.
Interactive and Immersive
One of the most memorable aspects of Holy Trinity's production was its interactive nature. The actors frequently stepped off the stage and into the audience, staying in character as they pitched Ed Wood's outrageous film ideas directly to the crowd. This approach made the audience feel like an active part of the performance, creating a fun and immersive experience. Even with a minimalist set and limited theatre space, the cast used the stage to its fullest, moving dynamically throughout the environment and turning its simplicity into an advantage. Their inventive use of the space kept each scene lively and showed how creativity and energy can transform even the simplest stage into something engaging and memorable.
Student-Made Trailers
Another unique and creative element of the production was the inclusion of student-made trailers placed between scenes. Each trailer represented a different show or idea that Ed Wood, played by Ari Keeping, was attempting to pitch. These short segments surprised the audience and added variety to the performance, highlighting the creativity and effort of the students involved behind the scenes.
Standout Performances
Ryan Rogers, who played Jeff Trent, and Liza Kozachenko, who portrayed Paula Trent, were two of the production's most notable characters. They quickly became crowd favorites due to their cheerful relationship, marital squabbling, and amusing banter. Many of Rogers' scenes are particularly humorous and delightful because of his good comedic timing, dramatic facial expressions, and confident line delivery as Jeff Trent. Liza Kozachenko also delivered a memorable performance as Paula Trent. She added humor through small details, such as her exaggerated screams, jumps, and reactions during certain scenes. These choices made her moments stand out and added to the comedic energy of the show. Her unexpected dance number surprised the audience and was performed confidently, while still maintaining the classic 1950s housewife charm that fit her character well.
