According to "Alien" lore, in space no one can hear you scream. But you can definitely hear the New Jersey teens behind "Alien: The Play" scream during a surprise visit by actor Sigourney Weaver to their encore performance Friday (April 26).
Weaver, who starred as Ellen Ripley in Ridley Scott's original "Alien" film, dropped in on the cast of "Alien: The Play" at North Bergen High School. She embraced one teen (who portrayed Ripley in the play) as the rest of the cast screamed in exhilaration.
"I am so excited to be here," Weaver told the students according to one video. "I am representing all the Alien fans all over the universe who think what you're doing is so cool, and so important."
The "Alien" film franchise celebrated its 40th anniversary on Friday.
Sigourney Weaver visiting the NBHS cast and crew at their encore performance of Alien after national media recognition was unbelievable!! #alien #Alien40th pic.twitter.com/2UXL0v1H3XApril 27, 2019
"I love you!" a different teen screamed in another video. "You're my childhood hero! I can't believe you're here right now!"
Look who stopped by North Bergen High to visit the spectacular cast of Alien: The Play. Thank you, Sigourney Weaver! And thank you, North Bergen High! #AlienDay #Alien40th pic.twitter.com/ObMZh4m4t3April 27, 2019
The student production of "Alien" at North Bergen High School garnered wide attention after images and video of the teens' initial performances in March went viral on social media. Working on a shoestring budget, the teens crafted eye-popping sets, spacesuits and a wild alien xenomorph costume from recycled materials.
So it wasn't surprising that the public demanded an encore, though the high school's drama teacher Perfecto Cuervo said at the time that there was likely no budget for another performance.
But apparently Ridley Scott himself donated $5,000 to help stage the encore on Friday, according to BuzzFeed. The performance was a fitting way to marked the 40th anniversary of "Alien." (Fan's call it "Alien Day.")
And the rest is "Alien" history, with the high school cast winning not only the hearts of science fiction fans everywhere, but also scholarships to New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts and a truly EPIC "Alien"-themed cake from the "Cake Boss" Buddy Valastro of Carlo's Bakery in Hoboken, New Jersey.
Check out the "Alien" awesomeness below!
Congratulations to the cast and crew of North Bergen High School’s @alienanthology on their encore (SOLD OUT!) performance last night. Hard work and ingenuity will always result in something sweet! 🍰💫 pic.twitter.com/9V7mKNdp22April 28, 2019
I would like to take a moment to send my sincere thanks and gratitude to the The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts. They presented each student of the cast and crew with a $1k scholarship to their summer program as well as each Senior with a $10k scholarship to the college pic.twitter.com/Vu2gRuqT45April 27, 2019
Very impressive set pieces from last night’s encore presentation of #AlienThePlay on #AlienDay! #NorthBergenHighSchool pic.twitter.com/ppXmheHGrdApril 27, 2019
The xenomorph almost got me last night in the #AlienPlay. At the end of the video, he hisses at @SigourneyWRuss, but I don’t think she was intimidated! What a great #AlienDay! pic.twitter.com/cLyeyjknhyApril 27, 2019
This scene has never looked so delicious... congrats to North Bergen High for an amazing evening — and thanks for this INCREDIBLE cake,@CarlosBakery! #AlienDay #Alien40th pic.twitter.com/MZErr1srpOApril 27, 2019
Wow! How terrifying is this Xeno costume from the North Bergen Alien play?! pic.twitter.com/VhcmnRAH2lApril 27, 2019
From everyone at #NorthBergenHigh and beyond, we hope you had a happy #AlienDay yesterday! #AlienThePlay pic.twitter.com/JfETsZh9X8April 27, 2019
Ellen Ripley, our queen, has a special message for you this #AlienDay... #Alien40th pic.twitter.com/OGyzeQeMeHApril 27, 2019
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