Tag Archives: Mount Saint Joseph University

By Katrina “Kat” Reynolds

The Oregon Trail presented by Mount St. Joseph University Theatre Arts through November 16th. I attended the Opening Night performance. 

The cast of THE OREGON TRAIL presented by MSJ Theatre Arts.

When my partner in crime and I heard that MSJ Theatre Arts was producing a show called The Oregon Trail by Bekah Brunstetter, we decided that no respectable GenXer could miss this. Vivid memories of us playing the game in our school’s computer labs were too fun to resist. The University’s Director of Theatre Arts (and Director of this show), Cincinnati’s own Lauren Carr brings us the tale of Jane, a middle-schooler whose goal of finally beating the famous game takes down a very unexpected road.

Inside sources shared with us the advantages and challenges of staging the play in MSJ’s intimate Williams Recital Hall versus in the University’s theatre: excellent acoustics, but a blank canvas with much opportunity to fill with set pieces and action. Without a doubt, the unconventional set up is a success. In addition, Ms. Carr has assembled a regal crew (fit for the queen she is) to help bring this script to life. Lighting Design by Matthew Hollstegge is creative and effective; Costume Design by Caroline Stine is spot-on across the multiple time periods covered; and Scenic Construction by Nathan Neorr is realistic yet easily maneuvered by the cast and crew.

Special shout-out to Intimacy and Movement Choreographer Erin Carr for some really seamless work. The Solasta Theatre Lab co-founder expertly navigates some fun and some emotionally difficult scenes throughout Jane’s journey.

Zoe Nienaber plays Jane whose arc is one of the toughest and most relatable of all the characters. Ms. Nienaber does a great job of embodying the spirit of a middle-schooler who is thrust into adulthood rather quickly thanks to the magic of technology. Sarah Barton as Jane’s “perfect” sister Mary Anne has a rather interesting arc of resigned acceptance until she reaches her breaking point. The two actors have a lovely, natural chemistry as they show us the ins and outs of everyday living.

Nathaniel Sweeney is the voice of the game and is a strong and amusing presence. Mr. Sweeney’s sarcastic quips are exactly what most of us probably heard while frustrations set in in playing (and losing) The Oregon Trail. Excellent work!

In watching the show and in reading people’s responses, I noticed a lot of people indicate “this is a show for millennials”. My gut reaction, of course, is to remind people that this is a GenX game and millennials played a later version (in fact named The Oregon Trail II). But the joke was on me as the very first iteration of The Oregon Trail game launched not in the 1980s, but in 1971! Given that the game was designed to teach middle-school aged children about the history of the actual Trail itself, it would have first been played by…Boomers! So along with modern versions of the game, it looks like several generations can find their piece of nostalgia in this love letter of a production. In addition to our similar memories of the experience playing, another common thread that binds us is that adulthood is much different than we had imagined as teenagers. We are all just pretending we know what we’re doing – but we all must remember to continue on the trail.

Click here for more information about the production.