Songbirds are not the only ones serenading us this spring as the Joliet Central High School (JCHS) Drama department puts on their new musical, “The Mad Ones”. Performed in the JCHS auditorium from April 9th-11th, “The Mad Ones” features a small cast of characters singing through grief, self-exploration, and a driver’s test.
Samantha, played by Joey O’Hara, is highly successful. With a near perfect high school transcript and IVY Leagues knocking on her door, the only thing stopping Samantha seems to be her inability to pass her driving test.
Aside from Samantha’s less than stellar driving, she is passive. Instead of pursuing her own wants she prioritizes the wants of others. Throughout the runtime, Samantha learns spontaneity and freedom with the help of her late best friend, Kelly, played by Ruby Garcia.
“The Mad Ones” balances the chaos of self-discovery with our innate need for stability. While Samantha yearns for the independence of a driver’s license, her crippling driving anxiety forces stagnancy.
The same can be said for Samantha’s college applications. Samantha’s mother, Beverly, played by Morgan Humann, wants her daughter to pursue a traditional IVY League college while Samantha’s own wants lean toward vast highways and high speeds.
As our JCHS seniors begin saying their goodbyes, they can identify with Samantha. That fear of the future, that craving for independence, that urge to drive fast with no destination.
If Samantha’s story teaches us one thing, it is to pursue what we desire. Don’t push your own wants down for the sake of others. Rather than being passive, be active. Allow yourself the simple desire of self-exploration.
Let yourself be mad.