West, the supporting actress, won't be overlooked, though. She combined for 35 points last weekend as The Quaker Players got a curtain call for the sixth straight show, a Penn record. The Crimson Troupe has also brought down the house in six straight performances.

The star performances can help drive a particular show, but sometimes it all comes down to the nitty-gritty details of a particular scene.

"If they don't do the little things, we can pick them apart," Kowal said, acknowledging that the reverse can happen in Penn's favor.

Whether Friday's show is a hit or a bomb, Harvard will have to get ready for Saturday's production with Princeton (4-15, 1-4).

Star 5'9 senior guard Maggie Langlas, no stranger to the stage, brings her 10.5 ppg and a small supporting cast for a contest against the bigger and deeper Crimson Troupe.

Princeton has found misfortune this year, languishing near the bottom of the Ivy theatre world after nearly being showered with laurels after being runner-up to The Dartmouth Ensemble last year.

But Harvard will not be overlooking Princeton.

"That would be disrespecting the rest of the league," Johnson said. "There is a lot of parity in this league. You cannot take anyone likely."