The groups reconvened on the Upper East Side to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Various parts of the Museum captured the students鈥 awe and wonder, from medieval frescoes and High Renaissance paintings to English Victorian furniture and Van Gogh鈥檚 oil on canvas. 鈥淚t would probably take at least three or four days to adequately examine this museum,鈥 remarked Ethan Connolly (鈥26).
As the sun was setting over the city skyline, the group next gathered at a local Italian restaurant in Midtown. Dinner was hearty, and the conversations were cheerful. After a round of desserts, all departed for the main event: King Lear.
Considered one of Shakespeare鈥檚 greatest tragedies, King Lear is a part of the Junior Seminar curriculum. Sir Kenneth Branagh, the award-winning British actor and filmmaker, served as director of this new production and also played the title character. Though sprinkled with the occasional light-hearted moments, the play maintained a sense of tension, keeping the audience engrossed with the action. The top-tier acting and technical production helped bring together the dramatic and highly emotional climax.
鈥淚t really helps you to understand that Shakespeare is not only meant to be read,鈥 said Student Support Coordinator Emily (Barry 鈥11) Sullivan, 鈥渂ut also to be seen and heard.鈥