Stevie Combs ’25
The Episcopal Academy’s Domino Club recently concluded its fall production of A Wrinkle in Time, a captivating adaptation of Madeleine L’Engle’s beloved sci-fi novel. Directed by Head of Theater Department Dan Clay, the play showcased a young cast, including underclassmen leads Charlotte Jones ’28 and Sean Reagle ’27.
Based on Madeleine L’Engle’s 1962 novel, A Wrinkle in Time is a science fiction novel that follows the story of Meg Murray (Jones), a bright but insecure teenager, as she searches for her missing father. Joined by her brother Charles Wallace (Reagle) and her friend Calvin (Reid Lawlor ’26), Meg journeys through space and time with the help of three mysterious guides (Elizabeth Doyle ’25, Fraser Wein ’27, Lucia Forte ’26) to confront a powerful darkness on a dystopian planet called “Camazotz.”
The play presented the members of the Domino Club with a new type of performance and unique challenges. Clay remarks, “It’s something that we haven’t done before. It’s kind of a children’s fantasy science fiction story… And [it] takes place in space and in different dimensions.” The challenge of adapting such a complex narrative to the stage was met with creativity and ingenuity. Clay notes, “It’s a really challenging play to do all around. It’s very, very technical.”
The production’s technical aspects, including lighting, sound, and projections, were integral to transporting the audience to different dimensions. Stage manager Lydia Wright ’27 expertly navigated the intricate cues. Clay praised the tech crew, stating, “They really handled it very well.” The lighting design, in particular, was crucial in creating the otherworldly atmosphere of the terrifying land of Camazotz and the ethereal beauty of the Tesseract, the monster that lives there. The sound design, with its haunting echoes and cosmic soundscapes, added to the immersive experience.
Photo courtesy of @eadominoclub
One of the most visually striking aspects of the production was the staging of the Tesseract scene. The creative use of lighting, sound, and movement created a truly mesmerizing experience for the audience. The actors’ ability to convey the abstract nature of the Tesseract was particularly impressive.
The actors, too, rose to the occasion, delivering compelling performances. Reagle, who portrayed the enigmatic Charles Wallace, discussed the challenges of embodying the character’s complex nature. Charles is a 5-year-old genius, who gets bullied for being different, just like his older sister, Meg. Even though he’s young, Charles cares for Meg, supporting her when she doubts herself. “The hardest part about playing Charles Wallace was expressing…the different sides of the character and his different motives in the story,” Reagle explained.
Jones, who played the show’s lead, Meg Murry, shared her experience, “I think I’m most proud of how all the actors fit together…It’s just so much more immersive.” She also highlighted the personal growth she experienced during the production, noting, “I think I definitely learned a lot…how to really do what you do. Don’t just say, ‘I’m scared’; show it on your face and you inflict it in your voice.”
Photo courtesy of @eadominoclub
Jones also delved into the challenges of portraying Meg’s emotional depth, particularly during her climactic breakdown, showing the audience a true representation of a teenage panic attack. When Charles Wallace’s mind is taken over by It, Calvin, Meg, and her father have to leave him behind on Camazotz. Once Meg comes to, she truly realizes that Charles, her best friend, might be gone forever.“I think that’s so difficult because there’s a fine line between anger and being afraid, and it’s just so much raw fear,” she explained.
The play’s impact extended beyond the stage. Sheli Hay, a faculty member who attended the performance, praised the production’s unique interpretation of the source material. “The play was a really good venue for this interpretation because they just left a lot of open space and possibility for the viewer to kind of fill in,” she explained. Hay also highlighted the production’s strong emphasis on the power of love, a core theme of the novel.
Megan Reagle ’25 commented on the production’s visual appeal, stating, “The set and the costumes were very colorful, very out there, very entertaining.”
A Wrinkle in Time was an impressive EA Domino Club production. Featuring a large cast of talented underclassmen, a dedicated group of senior and junior leaders, and a skilled tech crew working behind the scenes, the production delivered powerful performances, innovative staging, and a faithful adaptation of L’Engle’s beloved novel, creating a truly unforgettable experience.