Spring musical ‘Theory of Relativity’ to wrap year of pandemic productions

By Julia Gryczko, Entertainment Editor 

(Image by Isabel Gibson)

The spring musical “The Theory of Relativity” is the final production of the 2020-21 school year. Through a series of songs that seem to be unrelated, the nonlinear plot line follows the individual stories of a group of college-aged characters as they explore the challenges that come along with finding their place on earth.

The production “celebrates the human need for connection, the many ways in which we are linked to one another and matter to one another” director Ms. Carrie Saurer said. 

The musical is being filmed on the stage just as if a regular audience was in attendance in the auditorium, similar to the winter play. 

Advertisement

Silver screen productions make small screen premiers

By Elizabeth Compton, Entertainment Writer

After a relatively uneventful summer blockbuster season due to the lack of a movie-going audience, viewers finally got a chance to watch a few anticipated movies over the holidays. Unlike years past, many of these movies are available on streaming services, where you can watch them in the comfort of your own home.

Bedroom Pop: music for the loneliest generation

(Illustration by Ana Zrnic)

By Julia Gryczko, Entertainment Editor

People may be lonelier than ever, but this loneliness has contributed to one of the most intimate sub-genres in the history of music. With the rise of technology and the need for escapism, especially during the pandemic, people are more inclined to stay home to not only consume, but create and share their music with the world–all from the comfort of their homes. 

“Bedroom Pop” got its name because the music sounds like it could be made in a bedroom due to its scaled back production. Some musicians who fall under this category are Conan Gray, Clairo, Phoebe Bridgers, and Billie Eilish. 

Winter play ‘Puffs’ presented online Feb. 26, 27, and 28

Senior student director Erin Weiss is one of the few people who gets to watch the winter play live in the Watson Auditorium this year. Due to Covid restrictions, the play is being presented online this weekend. (Photo by Aly Trunzo)

By Jenna Marchuk & Andrea Smith, Entertainment Editors

This year’s Winter Play, “Puffs,” will not be performed live, but will instead be available to stream digitally, similar to the Fall Play. Unlike the Fall Play, however, the Winter Play presented unique production restrictions that prevented the play from being filmed like a movie, with many cuts. 

“The filming decision was two fold,” director Mr. Brennan Roach said. “One, we were contractually obligated to shoot the show as a play and not a film because of our agreement with the rights holder. Second, with the school year moving closer to full steam, there are a lot more active projects on the table for WMTH and the broadcasting classes, and it wouldn’t have been equitable to put such a massive undertaking on the table.” 

Taylor Swift’s career spans genres, breaks barriers

One of Swift’s latest releases, “evermore,” represents a departure from pop and moves into folk music.

By Natalie Polinski, Entertainment Writer

Taylor Swift is one of the biggest music icons around. Starting with country, transitioning to pop, and mostly recently dabbling in folk, Swift’s extremely popular music has made her a household name.

The Breakout Country Star: “Taylor Swift,” “Fearless,” “Speak Now,” “Red”

Starting in 2006, Swift began to make waves in the music industry with the release of her first album, “Taylor Swift.” With the album, she had established herself as a young, up and coming country artist. Other early albums “Fearless,” “Speak Now,” and “Red” were all characterized by their youthful country sound. Taylor Swift became known as the epitome of the American girl next door. Her songs often talked about love and heartbreak. “Taylor Swift” and “Fearless” mainly focused on high school romance, but as Swift matured, so did her songs. “Speak Now” and “Red” concentrated on telling the stories of love and romance from a different perspective and grew out of the previous teen romance storytelling Swift used. As the production of her songs became progressively more mature, Swift started to lose that youthful “gloss” her albums had with each new release. 

New year, new music releases

By Jenna Marchuk and Andrea Smith, Entertainment Editors

Only a month into 2021, there have been many great music releases. From whole albums to singles, artists have been producing quality content to keep us entertained as we spend more time than ever in our homes.

Now streaming: 2020’s best TV shows

By Maggie Hershey, Entertainment Writer

Though 2020 was an unfortunate year for many reasons, one bright spot was the new programming that many of us were able to view during quarantine.  These four shows were our top picks for at-home streaming in 2020.

Removal of popular titles means less appeal for Netflix

(Illustration by Morgan Latko)

By Jenna Marchuk, Entertainment Editor

Netflix has long reigned as the biggest and best streaming service. With entire series of many popular shows on its service, millions subscribed to the ad-free streaming service to watch these shows. Over the last year though, Netflix has taken many shows off of its service and created more original content. This has led many to unsubscribe from its service and could be the beginning of Netflix’s downfall.

This year, Netflix removed many of its most popular shows including Gossip Girl, The Office, and Parks and Recreation. All of these shows were available up until December 31, 2020. Last year, Friends was taken off Netflix, which also got a lot of backlash. With all of these shows being taken off Netflix and brought to other streaming platforms, many are left wondering if Netflix is worth the cost. 

Grammy nominations feature old favorites and new snubs

By Bella Murphy, Entertainment Writer

The 63rd Grammy Awards nominations came out on Nov. 23, with Beyonce, Dua Lipa, and Taylor Swift leading with the most nominations this year. 

“Folklore,” by Taylor Swift

Beyoncé earned nine nominations in eight categories, including both record and song of the year for “Black Parade.”  Dua Lipa and Taylor Swift each earned six nominations. Taylor Swift, whose last two albums were overlooked, received six nominations for “Folklore,” which is up for album of the year and best pop album of the year.  Dua Lipa, who won best new artist last year at the Grammys, is up for album of the year as well with her latest record, “Future Nostalgia.”

Fall music releases to add to your playlist

By A.K. Kajderowicz, Entertainment Writer

Shawn Mendes’s New Single “Wonder”

“Wonder” is about wanting to fall in love and the long journey of that process, while also incorporating aspects of how the price of fame has affected his life. 

This song sounds like a breath of fresh air. It is the song you want playing as you’re driving on the highway with all your windows down. Mendes’s previous songs have been about teenage problems and love, a theme which he continues to write about, but with this song, he is singing about what he’s feeling at that very moment. Along with that, the song is slower and less upbeat than his previous songs which makes it seem more meaningful.