The Saga: A Parody Musical

A Note From the Director

Last summer, I convinced my mom to go see the Northern Town Parodies production of WandaVision: The Parody Musical. When we left the show, I told her “That is what I need to do. That was amazing.” I felt so incredibly inspired that I started writing a parody of the Hunger Games that night. As I was trying to find my DVD of Catching Fire for a reference, I accidentally grabbed my copy of Breaking Dawn Part 2 DVD. It must have been fate because that DVD changed my mind about which show I was parodying. Twilight was the answer. I had already become a little obsessed with how terrible and confusing the lore is in Twilight, so I knew I could do the messed up story justice. In my parody, I knew the plot would stay the same, of course, but Bella could not be useless. She is one of the least active protagonists I’ve ever seen, and that is what makes her boring. I needed her to make choices, and it is those choices that led us to the show we’re putting on now. The character of Bee Swan is strong, confident, and proud. She says everything someone reading and watching Twilight wishes Bella would have said. In addition, I wanted to shine a light on all of the weird, sexist, and terrible things Stephanie Meyer put into her books so that we all can acknowledge and understand how wrong they were. This show is Twilight through my eyes. It is my heart and soul, but it’s still a hilarious and fun time.

I would like to thank Stephen Svoboda, David Cotter, and Carol Dusdieker for giving me this opportunity. You have all inspired me to create and be the best writer, actor, and singer that I can be. I would also like to thank my family for always supporting me and cheering me on. I worked incredibly hard on this production, and I hope you all enjoy it!

~ Lexi Lang

Cast List

Bee, Taylor Richardson

Eddie, Zach Abraham

Josh/Virgin #1, Jack Mills

Amelia/Rigatoni/Nalo, Lexi Lang

Emma/Julia/Virgin #2, Kylee Kent

Jace/Cain, Chantress DeWitt

Ezra/Matthew, Zaria Keys

Carl/Erin/Federigo, Isaac Hulbert

Ruby/Jade, Krista Hagans

Veronica/Sean Diaz/Virgin #3, Riley Ameel

Ace/Steve/Chuck/JD/The Car, Ben Pollizi

Lauren/Ram/Mickey/Alex, Khadijah Kennedy

Voice of the Wolves, Ben Neiberlein

Production Team

Director/Playwright, Lexi Lang

Music Director, Natalie Joritz

Stage Manager, Kenzie Brown

Assistant Stage Manager, Allison Gonzales

Choreographer, Julia Schaefer

Fight Choreographers, Lexi Lang & Zach Abraham

Costume Designers, Lexi Lang & Kenzie Brown

Assistant Costume Designers, Hannah Schoen & Isaac Hulbert

Props Master, Kenzie Brown & Lexi Lang

Hair & Makeup, Taylor Richardson

Sound Designer, Anna Gerber

Lighting Designer/Master Electrician, Ben Pollizi

Light Board Operator, Lexy Saxon

Meet the Cast

Zach Abraham is a sophomore at Heidelberg University this fall. He is currently pursuing a degree in both Musical Theatre as well as Business Administration. Zach is beyond excited to play the character of Eddie in this production. Zach is also a member of Hei-Notes, the Honor’s Activity Board, and the “Make-a-Scene” Improv group on campus. Zach would like to thank his family in Marion, as well as his musical theatre family here in Tiffin. Zach wishes everyone to break a leg with The Saga!

Chantress DeWitt is a sophomore musical theatre major from Cardington, Ohio. During her time here at Heidelberg, she has performed both backstage and onstage. Her most recent performances include the ensemble in Elf, ensemble in Heathers, ensemble in 9 to 5, ensemble/ dance captain for The Addams Family, Snout/ Wall in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and now Jace/Cain in The Saga. She is so glad you could make it out to see the show and thanks you for your support!

Isaac Hulbert has always been fascinated with productions of all kinds on and off stage. Now that he is here at Heidelberg University, he is able to live out his dreams on the stage. Isaac is honored for the opportunity to participate in this show.

Khadijah Kennedy is a freshman musical theatre major originally from Louisiana. She moved to Warren, Ohio from Louisiana four years ago. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Zaria Keys is a freshman and is currently double majoring in Psychology and Theatre with a concentration in Acting. This is Zaria’s fifth performance in the Heidelberg Theatre Program. This show was a crazy ride, but it was an experience that she wouldn’t want to share with anyone other than this specific cast. Zaria wants to thank the entire cast for their perseverance and dedication to this show. It wasn’t easy but we managed to come together to pull it off! I also want to thank Lexi Lang for writing and being so resilient, to Mackenzie Brown for being so optimistic and strong through difficult times, and to Ben and Lexy for lighting our way (literally). Thank you to the audience for your support and we sincerely hope you enjoy the show!

Benjamin Neiberlein is a sophomore from Hudson, Ohio, majoring in Theatre at Heidelberg University. He has been in productions before at his local hometown theater, Young Actors Studio including productions of Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Mama Mia, and Aladdin. This is his 6th production at Heidelberg. His favorite roles performed were Count Dracula and Sweeney Todd. When not on stage, he enjoys painting and playing piano. He has also done volunteer work for Weathervane Community Playhouse in Akron, Ohio, helping out with set construction of Kinky Boots. He is also associated with Sigma Tau Nu Fraternity and Hei Notes on campus. He has recently played Oberon and Theseus in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Gundlach Theater.

Ben Pollizi is a junior musical theatre major here at Heidelberg and is so glad to be back on-stage performing! In this show he is playing multiple characters as well as designing the lights! Some of his past credits include Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Oliver in Puffs, and Beethoven in Dog Sees God. He will be designing the lights for Cinderella in April. Ben is also involved in Make-A-Scene, Hei-Notes, and is producing the Tiffin4Peace project this semester. He hopes you enjoy the show!

Taylor Richardson is a senior English Writing and Theatre Acting major from Dayton, OH. Previously she has been seen as Della in The Cake, Megan in Puffs, and Margaret in 9 to 5. In addition to designing hair and makeup for The Saga, she has designed The Cake, Puffs, Pride and Prejudice, and will soon be designing Cinderella while also performing in the ensemble. She is also a member of the Improv Troupe Make-A-Scene, sorority Zeta Theta Psi, and theatre honorary Alpha Psi Omega. She is overjoyed to live her tween dreams in The Saga and would like to thank her family and friends for their constant love and support over the past 4 years.

Meet the Production Team

Kenzie Brown is a freshman Theater Production Major with a concentration of education. This is Kenzie’s first show here at Heidelberg, and she is so thankful to be able to work with a welcoming cast and production team while learning the ropes of college stage management. Kenzie would like to thank Lexi and Natalie for helping her navigate her first semester at Heidelberg, and for helping her learn more about college theatre.

Natalie Joritz is thrilled to be involved in this fully student-run production. This is her first time fully music directing, and it’s been a blast. Previously, she was the assistant stage manager for A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and the stage manager for Dance Nation. She’s no stranger to the stage, though; she previously played Kitty/Georgiana in Pride and Prejudice, as well as Angelo in Comedy of Errors. You can catch her next month as Charlotte in R+H’s Cinderella. Natalie is a sophomore musical theatre major who is also involved in the Hei-Notes show choir, Heimonics acapella, Make-A-Scene improv, and the honors program on campus. Love goes out to her friends and family for all their support, the theatre faculty for making this show happen, and her best friend Lexi Lang for inviting her along on this journey. Enjoy the show!

Lexi Lang is a sophomore double major in Musical Theater and adolescent/young adult education. She has been in 24 productions, including Heidelberg's other 2022 spring show Eurydice. She is ecstatic to have the opportunity to direct one of her shows. As an avid writer, she hopes to produce more shows at Heidelberg in the near future.

Julia Schaefer is a sophomore integrated media and english major with a theatre minor. She is excited to choreograph at Heidelberg for the first time after working as a dance caption for Dance Nation and Elf. She would like to thank her mom for always having the Twilight movies on, and for putting her in dance class as a kid.