Rebecca Silverman, a PV senior, stands on the stage with the bright lights in her eyes and butterflies in her stomach. Like her own character in the play, Silverman has made a remarkable transformation. PV theatre’s fall drama, Metamorphoses, marks the one of the most intense roles Silverman has held, requiring her to overcome her stagefright.

Metamorphoses consists of a series of short stories, or vignettes, derived from Greek and Roman myths. These stories are then presented in a modern language and style. The word “metamorphosis” means transformation, which is undoubtedly a major theme in the play.

Having always been a cast member for PV theatre, Silverman prepares for a much larger role than usual, as the main character in one of these vignettes.

“This opportunity not only has allowed me to be a part of something I love,” Silverman said, “but also to step out of my shell and conquer a fear.”

Each night from Thursday to Saturday, there will be a performance at 7 p.m. in the Pascack Valley Auditorium. There will also be a matinee performance on Saturday at 1 p.m., totaling four showings in all. The show lasts about 90 minutes, which means there will be no intermission.

The directors choose shows for each theatre season that have many character and ensemble opportunities to ensure that everyone who wants to be involved with the play can be. Directors Merielle and Tom Lupfer have a policy: Everyone who wants to be in the show will be in the show.

“This show has a lot of characters and a lot of opportunity for the ensemble cast to be on stage and be a part of telling the story the story even if they are not a main character that is speaking,” Mrs. Lupfer said.

Perhaps one of the biggest challenges PV theatre has faced during production is the designing and building of the set. Metamorphoses is intended to be performed on a giant pool of water. The pool is used as a symbol to represent the character’s’ transformation throughout the show.

However, because of the electrics underneath the stage, Pascack Valley’s stage isn’t suited to a giant pool. As a result the set designer and directors worked to come up with new design ideas to demonstrate the journeys the characters have.

The stage is set as a Greek fullery, a laundry house made of clay, with a “pool” of water in the center of the stage. The most notable portion of the stage, however, may be the platform that is suspended six feet above the air, hanging from the ceiling.

Silverman’s very emotionally charged scene is among the first on stage.

“[This] is the first role that I really connected to,” Silverman said, “and so I gave her my all and put everything into her.”

To buy tickets, visit http://www.pvhstheatre.org/buy-tickets, call 201-312-4122, or purhase them the night of the show. Tickets cost $12 for adults and $5 for students.