The McClintock Theatre was a bustling haven for students, proud parents and friends alike Friday evening as the School of Dramatic Arts unveiled its production of “Hit the Wall,” a play that originally debuted off-Broadway in 2013 to critical acclaim at New York City’s Barrow Street Theatre. 

“Hit the Wall,” written by Chicago-based playwright Ike Holter and featuring original music by Daniel Lincoln, chronicles the fiery history behind the Stonewall Inn. Still standing today, it is a gay bar in Greenwich Village that famously underwent a traumatic police raid on June 28, 1969, and consequently became the center of protests for LGBTQIA+ rights that summer. 

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The theatrical adaptation of the true story made its way to the USC campus with a cast and crew chock-full of talented SDA sophomores, juniors and seniors. Even before the play began, actors were already in character onstage interacting with the audience, making an indelible first impression as they jokingly heckled audience members for wearing color-coordinating outfits, arriving a few minutes late and wearing hats indoors.

Once the show started, the audience was formally introduced to characters Tano and Mika, a gay power duo played by senior Nate Riel and sophomore Davon Collier, Jr., respectively, with junior Eli Ruano set to take over Tano’s role beginning Nov. 8; all three students are majoring in theatre with an emphasis in acting. Riel and Collier’s onstage dynamics flowed so naturally that it seemed like the two had known each other for years, with snappy banter riddled with New York accents, Spanglish and gay slang that kept the audience howling with laughter throughout the show. 

“[‘Hit the Wall’] was full of energy,” said Jordan Cooper, a junior majoring in acting for the stage, screen and new media. “The dancing, the dialogue and the writing are so incredible, and there were so many things happening at the same time, but [the show] was so beautifully executed; all of the scenes were really engaging.”

Part of the appeal of “Hit the Wall” was thus not only in the rapid-fire dialogue that kept the audience on the edges of their seats, but also the wonderful attention to detail demonstrated through costume design, the characters’ colorful personalities that lit up the theater, and the repeated breaking of the fourth wall that tore down all barriers between actors and audience members.

While it could be difficult for audience members to relate to the play’s characters and truly envelop themselves in the 54-year-old world of “Hit the Wall,” the actors and the stage crew worked together to create a truly immersive atmosphere. Hayden Elizabeth Price, a recent alum of the School of Dramatic Arts, choreographed “Hit the Wall,” bringing the soundtrack to life. In a sequence with dark red recessed lighting on the stage combined with white strobe lights that flashed from floor to ceiling of the theater, it was easy to imagine oneself dancing along with the actors for a summer night of clubbing in the city. 

“[‘Hit the Wall’] felt like everybody was in a dance. It was a really rhythmic performance and everybody’s movement matched the setting and the tone of the show,” said Derek Rabin, a senior majoring in acting for the stage, screen and new media. “I felt like the direction of the show allowed [the audience] from the beginning [to be] immersed.”

Featuring an extremely diverse cast and representation for members of the gay, lesbian, queer and transgender communities factored into the script, “Hit the Wall” serves as a historical reminder of the struggles that the LGBTQIA+ community in the United States has faced over the decades, and its resilience in the face of discrimination from the public and the law. 

“One of the biggest things I got from [seeing ‘Hit the Wall’] is how little my knowledge is about queer liberation,” said Arjun Lakshman, a sophomore majoring in musical theatre. “It really opened my eyes to some topics that I need to learn more about and research more about [to] become a better ally and support the [LGBTQIA+] community as much as possible.”

Given that 586 bills targeting the American transgender community have been introduced across 49 out of 50 states just this year, “Hit the Wall” arrives at USC at an especially important time for the LGBTQIA+ student population to feel seen, heard and represented. 

“I love the idea of queer stories,” Lakshman said. “They are so few and far between, and I think every single one that is put out needs to be watched by everyone.”

“Hit the Wall” centers itself around eight such stories, as the ensemble cast allows the audience a small peek into the lives of those who bore witness to the Stonewall riots from the inside. “I was there” is a phrase repeatedly echoed by all characters from the beginning of the show to the end, emphasizing the extent to which being involved in the Stonewall riots affected them as LGBTQIA+ individuals. 

Many LGBTQIA+ students may find something to relate to in senior Maya Reyna’s character Peg, whose family is heartbreakingly unaccepting of her gender identity and sexual orientation as a butch lesbian. No longer welcome in her family home, Peg seeks refuge in New York’s few underground gay clubs, which continue to dwindle in number in the wake of the Stonewall riots. 

After a brief hour and a half, the play came to a close as all of the actors turned in unison to face the blinking red sign of the Stonewall Inn as the stage lights faded to black, reminding the audience of the blood, sweat and tears that LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers invested into increased rights and protections for generations to come. 

“Hit the Wall” will continue to show live at the McClintock Theatre until Nov. 12, with additional livestream performances scheduled from Nov. 16 to Nov. 19.

This article was updated Jan. 30 to better identify Hayden Elizabeth Price’s contributions to the show.