As one of the most prominent traditions leading up to the annual Big Game, the 2024 Gaieties performance delivered a typical and idiosyncratic rom-com. In the true spirit of Stanford, this whimsical yet tragic narrative outdid itself with laughter, including Stanford-Berkeley rivalry jokes, while simultaneously addressing contemporary social issues.

Directed by Hailey Ramzan ’27, this year’s performances reimagined the rivalry by depicting Stanford and Berkeley as two summer camps separated by a lake. Scarlet (Mai Ideshita ’28) was rejected from Camp Stanford and forced to attend Camp Berkeley, nicknamed “the Safety Camp.” During the performance on Wednesday, Nov. 20, Dean of Admissions Richard H. Shaw made a humorous guest appearance to reject Camp Stanford applicants — including Scarlet.

Camp Berkeley Director Burk (Janelle Olisea ’25) sent Scarlet as a mole to sabotage Camp Stanford’s “Secret Plan to Beat Berkeley” and gain leverage over Stanford during the Big Game Field Day. While at Camp Stanford, Scarlet encountered Finley (Sam Cousins ’28), the camp director’s son. Unsurprisingly, the two fell in love, with Finley under the impression that Scarlet was a true Camp Stanford camper.

I loved this quintessential yet unconventional plot. We knew Scarlet was rejected from Camp Stanford, we knew the “scary story” foreshadowed the demise of Scarlet and Finley’s relationship and we knew Camp Stanford would ultimately defeat Camp Berkeley. These are familiar plot structures. 

Yet the show innovated by introducing a mythical character — the Fizzler (Carter Staggs ’27), who served both as a narrator and catalyst for action, adding a unique layer to the rom-com. The Fizzler personified the social media app Fizz and stirred up the drama by spreading rumors of a Berkeley mole infiltrating Camp Stanford. To address this disadvantageous situation for Camp Berkeley, Burk falsely accused Stanford student Zach (Nick Buckovich ’26) of being the mole. Though originally beloved by other Stanford campers, Zach experienced hysteria against him that erupted through Fizz. This demonstrated the nuanced ways social media can influence decisions and relationships. 

As a result of this social media turmoil, Scarlet revealed her true identity to her fellow Stanford campers. This revelation ultimately led to Scarlet and Finley breaking up, as Finley could not reconcile that Scarlet was from Berkeley. Through the Fizzler, Gaieties went beyond rivalry to reflect on how social media impacts people. 

The climax of the story unfolded during the Big Game Field Day, with Scarlet and Finley captaining their respective teams. As anticipated, Stanford triumphed, and Finley reclaimed the trophy — or Axe — that he had long coveted. 

In a final twist, Finley apologized to Scarlet for breaking up due to her true identity but admitted that he loved the Axe more than he loved her. This scene elicited an impassioned “Don’t forgive him!” from audience members who empathized with Scarlet. 

With the Axe in hand, Camp Stanford’s Director Stan (Nathaniel Leong-On Wong ’28) unveiled Stanford’s “Secret Plan to Destroy Berkeley,” which turned out to be a scroll humorously inscribed with: “CHILL THE F— OUT, IT’S BERKELEY, WE WILL BEAT THEM.” This brought laughter and closure, serving as a zinger for both the audience and Finley.

Another intriguing aspect of this year’s Gaieties’ characterization was the somewhat pro-Berkeley perspective. As a representation of Stanford students, Finley was portrayed as a shallow and heartless character who cared solely about the Big Game, Stanford and his dad. When Scarlet revealed her true identity, his hurtful words towards her highlighted his insensitivity and thoughtlessness. 

On the other hand, Scarlet was adored by the audience for her courage and endearing actions, while representing Camp Berkeley. Finley’s victory over Camp Berkeley aligned with the traditional Gaieties theme, but Scarlet’s characterization made the show not just about Stanford pride but also about how we treat one another. 

When Ideshita sang “The Ballad of Tree and Bear,” the audience was amazed by her beautiful voice and imbued by her hesitation with her identity and love. As the Fizzler said, “This is not a story about love. Empathy is what this story is about.” Scarlet’s portrayal encouraged the audience to empathize with the rival’s perspective. Her emotional depth and vocal delivery added complexity to her character, making her more than just a romantic foil to Finley. 

The rest of the cast also delivered strong performances, with Finley, Stan and Burk adding layers of humor and drama. The ensemble exceeded expectations for a student production, elevating the show to a professional level.

The set design and music further enhanced the experience. The clever use of a single set to represent both camps created a playful, cartoon-like aesthetic that was visually engaging. The music struck the perfect balance between humor and storytelling, with witty lyrics like “Let’s Get Gingky” and timely comedic numbers like “I’m Just Cal.” These elements kept the audience laughing and fully immersed in the performance.

As Director Ramzan noted in an interview with The Daily, “diversity” was a defining characteristic of this year’s Gaieties. 

For Steven Wan ’28, who was casted as the Berkeley camper Albus, Gaieties is a “beautiful and creative experience working with a diverse and interesting community.” The production not only nurtured Wan as a cast member but also touched audience members. 

Attendees such as Xiang Wan ’28 also found that the performance delivered a “warm and bright vibe.”

While the production began with the familiar theme of the Stanford-Berkeley rivalry, it expanded to explore broader themes of social media, personal growth and mutual understanding. These varied elements blended seamlessly, creating a multifaceted narrative that resonated with the audience.

In all, this year’s Gaieties was a brilliant piece of poetry in motion, blending the capricious world of Camp Stanford with a deeper, meaningful story. Over its two-hour runtime, I was amazed at what a student musical could achieve. With its nuanced plot and outstanding performances, the 2024 Gaieties wove a vivid and enduring thread into Stanford’s rich tapestry of traditions.

Editor’s Note: This article is a review and includes subjective thoughts, opinions and critiques.