Salutations and greetings to you all! In long gone centuries, lords, ladies, country folk, and jesters have gathered in festive castle halls.
Christmas is just around the corner, and the 2025 Madrigal Troupe is awaiting your arrival at the Madrigal Dinner. The dinner, an annual event, is not just a meal, but a magical experience. The two hour show is full of wondrous songs, hilarious acts, and a delicious, renaissance-themed meal.
But to the troupe, it’s not just dinner and a show. To sophomore Emi Gulmez, a singer on Head Table, being a part of the Madrigal troupe means “sharing what I love with the people I love.” Madrigals is more than just theater. It’s a community, a family. It’s not just singers. It’s actors, brass, recorders, and servers. This show has been going on for more than 45 years; each year, the community grows larger and larger.
Behind the scenes, a lot goes on. Food is prepared, sound systems are running, and many logistical issues get worked out. Director Matthew Schlesinger noted that “it’s constantly moving,” and that it can get quite chaotic at times. He joked that he “gets [his] steps in for the day for sure.”
The show takes place every year in the HEHS Cafeteria, but the way it is decorated, it feels as if you are in a fantasy world. Senior Alexa Ayala, a singer on Head Table and a returning veteran, mentioned that the cafeteria is “set up until [it looks like] a banquet hall.” She added that it looks “very Christmassy.” There are lights, Christmas trees, and brick walls that make it feel “like a big castle.”
The Madrigal Dinner is a very exciting experience, and something everyone should see once. Come see the show on December 12 at 8 p.m. and December 13 at 6 p.m. in the cafeteria. Ticket sales are only open until Friday, so don’t wait.
