BMCC Theatre Production Keeps Show’s Spirit Alive and Strengthens Community

The faculty and students behind the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC/CUNY) Theatre Arts Program’s presentation of the new original musical,“The Life of Mary Rogers: An Incredible, Plausible, Entirely Made-Up, Imagined, True Story from 1841,” were heartbroken when a global pandemic shut down hopes for staging the show live in Spring 2020. 

Written and produced by Theatre Arts Professors Katherine Kavanagh and Tariq Hamami, with music composed by Adjunct Professor Thomas Hodges, the production was set to debut in April but will instead be staged sometime in Fall 2020.  The play was originally conceived by Kavanagh.

To keep the show’s spirit alive and strengthen a sense of community as New Yorkers — including BMCC students, faculty and staff — practice social distancing, the professors decided to continue rehearsing, schedule a complete reading on what would have been closing night, and produce a music video — all of it virtually.

“We get so much joy from being together,” said Kavanagh. “This isn’t about promoting the show, it’s about promoting community, not just among the theatre department, but across the entire college.”

Set in 1841 Tribeca, “The Life of Mary Rogers” is based on one of New York City’s first tabloid stories. History remembers Rogers for the mysterious circumstances surrounding her death. Through further historical research, Kavanagh uncovered a deeper story; one of an independent woman whose untimely pregnancy throws her life into chaos.

Producing “The Life of Mary Rogers” involved 21 students as cast members, 30 more working backstage on lighting, sets and costumes, and two who served as assistant stage managers. 

As the original opening date of April 30 drew closer, Kavanagh could sense her students’ growing collective disappointment. 

“In response to that, I sent the entire cast notes telling them how special it is to be an original cast member; that no matter what, they were the first ones to bring these characters to life, and that will never change,” said Kavanagh.

She and the other professors, along with the cast and musicians, also decided to use the digital platform Zoom to present a full run of the show on what would have been its closing night, May 2. 

“Before the shutdown, the actors had done all these rehearsals, they put in all this creative work but nobody will get to see it,” said Hamami. “Both the video and virtual reading fulfilled at least that part of their artistic life.” 

The video was created a few days before the reading and features the show’s opening song, which takes places just after the introduction of the characters Mary Rogers and her mother Phoebe. 

“The lyrics are based on Mary’s impression of New York City at that time,” said Hodges. “She sees the city as this optimistic, upbeat reaction to the world around her.”

In the lyrics, Mary is talking about New York City during what was a very tumultuous time, a place of hope, but also of hardship, he explained. 

“It’s about how you survive in this world; the hardship and challenges of living in New York City as we survive through the support of our relationships, friendships and loved ones,” said Kavanagh.

Cast members reflect on the future

When Theatre Arts major Alexandra Toro, who plays the show’s lead role of Mary, first enrolled at BMCC, her goal was to eventually work with the Fire Department of New York (FDNY). Now having participated in a play production, she someday hopes to become a theatre professor. 

“I was extremely disappointed that my family wasn’t going be able to see me perform in the show. I had been so excited about it, in fact, that that was all I talked about,” said Toro.  

She said it was important for the original cast to have the full reading and make the video because it provided closure to everyone involved. 

“But I’m excited for next semester, I’m glad we get to start off knowing our characters already,” said Toro. “I don’t want to let go of Mary and I’m happy I don’t have to yet.”

Three of the show’s principal cast members who will graduate in Spring 2020 and transfer to four-year colleges, won’t be available to play the roles they first brought to life. 

“It was great to get back together with the full cast and just do a whole run through of the play,” said Theatre Arts major Dominick Allen, who plays the character Maggie and will begin Syracuse University in Fall 2020. 

“Near the end of the reading, I began to cry, because I knew how much I was going to miss everyone,” said Allen  “We all wanted to show the world who the real Mary Rogers was. I am truly honored for being involved in this project and will cherish it for the rest of my life.”