While the show may not be performed live with a live audience, Jacqlyn Giordano is excited for the cast of The Theory of Relativity to showcase its production with a weekend of available streamtimes on Friday, April 30 and Saturday, May 1 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 2 at 2 p.m. By purchasing a ticket—$10 for an individual or $20 for a household—viewers will have access to the pre-recorded performance on the Showtix website.

“This year has been such a rollercoaster for everyone with the pandemic going on, but especially for high school students who thrive on social interactions,” said Giordano, who is in her sixth year of directing musicals at North Haven High School (NHHS). “Honestly, it has been such a blessing to be able to interact with the theater students this year and create something special, even if it will be different. Everyone gets to view the production from the safety of their own homes, including the actors.”

Giordano and her cast of 20 recently finished recording each of the scenes with the finishing touches now being done on the video editing in anticipation of opening night. Moving to an online performance is not the only adjustment that had to be made in order to pull off a production during COVID.

NHHS typically holds its musical at the end of February, which meant it was one of the only schools in the area that held its musical before the COVID shutdown in 2020. When the production team met in the fall, it decided on a late April date, hoping for access to the stage.

When deciding on the show, the production team took several factors into consideration. Each show has its own set of performance rights and The Theory of Everything allowed for in-person, pre-recorded, live-stream, or virtual performances. The show also has a smaller cast and flexibility on the technical side.

“We could pretty much roll with the punches no matter which way they went,” said Giordano. “We wanted [a show with a smaller cast] because of the COVID safety protocols that would have to be in place if we did go to in-person. The flexibility of the show with casting, set design, lighting, etc. was really the selling point for us. We could make it whatever we wanted—simple and focused on the music or extravagant and over the top—and we decided on the former since the messages of the show are too important to upstage.”

By January, live auditions and rehearsals were still not permitted so after virtual auditions, the cast began Zoom rehearsals. On March 19, Giordano received word that after-school activities could resume in person.

After polling the cast, she found the vast majority wanted to return to the stage so they began hybrid rehearsals with in-person and virtual rehearsals happening simultaneously. While in person, the cast maintained social distance, wore masks, and followed COVID safety protocols.

“The kids were so excited to be back together in their safe space,” said Giordano. “The students’ energy changed completely and they were so excited to be able to get back in the theater, together again, especially the seniors who were unsure what this year would be like.”

With 20 cast members, this is the smallest cast that Giordano has directed. In addition to the cast members, there is a student who assisted as a crew member and video recording assistant as well as a student who was able to assist with the lighting design on the stage. Another student was a part of the pit orchestra and was able to pre-record all of the music alongside some teachers and professionals.

“Having a theater program in any school or community is extremely important as many students thrive in this type of extracurricular learning environment,” said Giordano. “The most important thing I can do is to provide students with a safe environment where they feel comfortable expressing themselves and embracing who they are, even if playing someone they are not on the stage. The best moments during a production are the silly moments we share as a family off stage, which in turn create stronger moments on stage.”

Tickets, $10 for an individual and $20 for a household, are available at

www.showtix4u.com/event-details/48372.