First premiering in 2007, Xanadu is unique in that it was based off of the 1980 flop of a movie with the same name, which starred Olivia Newton-John. Although it was a commercial failure, the film gained a cult following, leading to the stage adaptation. The musical tells the story of Sonny Malone (played by Ben Peter), a chalk artist in Los Angeles, dissatisfied with his life. Things look bleak for Sonny until Clio (Natalie Pernick), a Greek Muse disguised as an Australian roller skater named Kira, begins to inspire Sonny with the help of her eight sisters, who are also demigods. As Clio/Kira and Sonny begin plans to rent the abandoned Xanadu theater, two jealous sisters — Melpomene (Michelle Slivinski) and Calliope (Helen Slivinski) — plot to curse the two to fall in love, which would send Clio to the underworld. Such a plan creates a hilarious tale of romance and drama, culminating in a trial by Zeus on Mt. Olympus.

As Clio, Natalie Pernick blew the audience away. Sporting two different accents and always moving in roller skates, Pernick owned the stage every time she appeared, excellently grasping her character and finding the hilarity in her lines. Her dedication to the role created a believable romance between she and Ben Peter, who also displayed a wonderful understanding of his character through sharp delivery of comedic lines and a stereotypical “80s artist” personality, both of which were needed for the show. Both Pernick and Peter displayed exemplary vocals, most notably in the duet “Suddenly” and the melodramatic “Don’t Walk Away.”

The Muse ensemble also performed well, each adding a different element to the story and each understanding their specific Muse well. Muses Terpsicore (Austin Bur) and Erato (Megan Desisti) were especially wonderful, both of them drawing attention in their comedic portrayals of the demigods and their unique mannerisms, they added to the character, such as sassy dancing from Desisti and hilarious movements from Bur.

On the technical side, the show was generally a success. Costumes, designed by Michelle Slivinski, were especially strong, as many were completely re-worked and made unique for different characters, specifically the Muses. The orchestra played impressively, always sounding in-tune and adapting their volume to match that of the actors on stage so that most vocal performances could be heard clearly. Lighting, led by Thomas Cusimano, was also impressive, especially because of its complexity, moving spotlights never faltered and the rhythmically synced lighting of the set at the end of Act 1 went off without a hitch.

Overall, South Lakes High School’s production of Xanadu was astounding. Although vocals were sometimes notably off pitch, the cast pulled together to create a wonderful show full of laughter and drama. Technically, the show was great, despite a few instances of minor sound issues. All in all, South Lakes presented a hilarious and heartwarming musical, proving that sometimes love may truly be a match made in heaven.

by Kevin Buckley of Stone Bridge High School

Photo Gallery

Ben Peter (Sonny), Michelle Slivinski (Melpomene), Natalie Pernick (Kira), Helen Slivinski (Calliope)	Michelle Slivinski, Kemi Akinbileje, Kenzy Forman, Lindsay Bur, Megan DeSisti, Helen Slivinski
Natalie Pernick (Kira), Ben Peter (Sonny)	Sequoia Carillo (Thetis), Caitlyn Herron (Hera), Megan Fontenot (Aphrodite)

Photos by Michelle Slivinski

Casts of nominated shows and the performers of nominated songs presented musical numbers as well as scenes from the nominated plays. The entire show will be aired on Cox Cable “Red Apple” Channel 21 beginning the week of July 2 and will continue throughout the summer.

Throughout the year, the Cappies program is driven by hundreds of area high school theater student critics who attend each others’ shows, write reviews, and serve as Cappies awards judges.

The Gala ceremony was marked with excitement and encouragement. There was never a sense of competitiveness or negative reactions as any of the Awards were announced.

Westfield High School received ten awards, including Musical for their production of Crazy For You. McLean High School received five awards, including Play, for A View From the Bridge.

Rising Critic

• Julian Sanchez, Westfield High School

Returning Critic

• Madelyn Paquette, McLean High School

Madelyn Paquette also was awarded the first Washington Post Critic Award.

Graduating Critic

• Joseph Biagini, Westfield High School

Critic Team

• McLean High School

Marketing and Publicity

• Kyle Norfleet, Michelle Slivinski, Jenny Rubin, Caitlyn Herron, South Lakes High School, West Side Story

Sound

• Alex Allen, Lydia Carroll, Lindsay Worthington, Walt Whitman High School, Frankenstein

Lighting

• Nikolas Allen, Andrew Elman, Walt Whitman High School, Frankenstein

Stage Crew

• Walt Whitman Stage Crew, Walt Whitman High School, Frankenstein

Sets

• Walt Whitman Set Crew, Walt Whitman High School, Frankenstein

Costumes

• Ana Mendelson, Abby Deatherage, W. T. Woodson HS, Alice in Wonderland

Make-up

• Brianna Weiner, W. T. Woodson HS, Alice in Wonderland

Props

• Rita Fair, Jordyn Stewart, Mount Vernon, Blithe Spirit

Special Effects and or Technology

• Brian Clarkson, Walt Whitman High School, Frankenstein

Orchestra

• “Crazy for You” Pit Orchestra, Westfield High School, Crazy For You

Choreography

• Colby Dezelick, Westfield High School, Crazy For You

Creativity

• Arjun Baxter, Composer, W. T. Woodson HS, Alice in Wonderland

Ensemble in a Play

• The Mechanicals, Robinson Secondary School, Ken Ludwig’s Midsummer/Jersey

Ensemble in a Musical

• Follie Dancers and Cowboys, Westfield High School, Crazy For You

Featured Actress

• Kaity Hinojosa, Langley High School, The Crucible

Featured Actor

• Mitchell Buckley, Westfield High School, Crazy For You

Female Dancer

• Corinne Holland, Westfield High School, Crazy For You

Male Dancer

• Nikko Custodio, South County Secondary School, West Side Story

Female Vocalist

• Ariana Kruszewski, South Lakes High School, West Side Story

Male Vocalist

• Sam Allen, Dominion High School, Pippin

Comic Actress in a Play

• Virginia Coffield, St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School, Fools

Comic Actor in a Play

• Kamau Mitchell, HB Woodlawn Secondary Program, The Foreigner

Comic Actress in a Musical

• Alexandra Nicopoulos, Fairfax High School, Sweeney Todd

Comic Actor in a Musical

• Ian Peterson, Stone Bridge High School, Anything Goes

Supporting Actress in a Play

• Mia Amado, Woodbridge Senior High School, The Miracle Worker

Supporting Actor in a Play

• John Downey, Chantilly High School, I Remember Mama

Supporting Actress in a Musical

• Michelle Radcliffe, Heritage High School, Legally Blonde the Musical

Supporting Actor in a Musical

• Joseph Biagini, Westfield High School, Crazy For You

Lead Actress in a Play

• Lexie Shoaibi, McLean High School, A View From the Bridge

Lead Actor in a Play

• Damian Leverett, McLean High School, A View From the Bridge

Lead Actress in a Musical

• Sean Pugerude, Paul VI Catholic High School, Hello, Dolly!

Lead Actor in a Musical

• Colby Dezelick, Westfield High School, Crazy For You

Song

• Brotherhood of Man, James Madison High School, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

Play

• McLean High School, A View From the Bridge

Musical

• Westfield High School, Crazy For You

That musical, The Scarlet Pimpernel, was written by Frank Wildhorn and Nana Knighton, who also composed the musical Jekyll and Hyde. This acclaimed duo brought yet another classic novel by the same name, originally written by Baroness Orczy in 1907, to the Broadway stage. This tempestuous tale of love triangles and passionate battles for justice premiered on Broadway in 1997, and received three nominations at the Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

The Parisian guillotine amid struggling throngs and the aristocratic palace halls of England were grandly opened to the modern audience attending South Lakes High School’s production of The Scarlet Pimpernel. Abby Coryell’s rich mezzo-soprano voice serenaded the audience from the moment she introduced them to her world as the character Marguerite St. Just. Leading the production with her powerful vocals, she consistently gave a convincing and reliable performance. The suave and threatening character of Chauvelin, was played by Alex Turner. His slithering sinister quality provided the production with a feared antagonist, adding tense dynamics to the piece. Directly contrasting his character was that of Percy Blakeney, played by Daniel Delcoco, whose humor served to conceal his true identity as the noble and endearing Scarlet Pimpernel.

The intoxicating melodies were played by the Scarlet Pimpernel Pit Orchestra. Though at times, pitches went askew in the higher keys, the percussion’s booming character paired well with the sweet melodies of the woodwinds to provide an aura of 16th century charm. Suitably painting the stage with lights was Kensy Forman, with her theatrical lighting designs which proved fitting for such a dramatic piece. Taking cues from the music, the lighting on occasion would intensify alongside it, to effectively and subtly heighten the emotional level on stage. The sound crew, led by Alessandro Gaiarin, also seemed to pay close attention to the balance between the orchestra and the actors’ vocals, which resulted in a comfortable blend. The stage crew did an admirable job of transitioning between the multiple and massive worlds which were necessary for such a large scale production. It was evident that much effort had been invested in the effective stage management, due to the crew’s diligence and timing.

The tragically tender music and the theme of fervent struggle for freedom, in the The Scarlet Pimpernel, combined to transport one to the troubled times of the French Revolution. South Lakes’ attempt to revisit this era with much commitment was appreciated by its captivated audience, who were engaged by the unraveling of the hidden identity of the Scarlet Pimpernel.

by Mariana Barbosa of JEB Stuart High School

Photo Gallery

Eric O’Brien, Kyle Norfleet, Tillman Singh, Derek Wahdan, Austin Burr, Daniel Delcoco, Ben Cohen, Stanley Payne, Sean McCoy, and Ben Peters.	Kelsie Zipprich, Casey Anderson, Cara Howley, Daniel Delcoco, Jenny Rubin, Caitlyn Herron, Nadia Doutcheva, and Michelle Slivinski
Abby Coryell	Alex Turner and Daniel Delcoco
Abby Coryell and Alex Turner

Photos by Michael A. Slivinski

Les Miserables, based on the 1862 novel by Victor Hugo and adapted by Claude-Michel Schoenberg, follows the lives of several people involved in an uprising in France in the 19th century. Jean Valjean, a convict who has escaped parole, is feverishly pursued by the vindictive Inspector Javert. But after several years, revolution stirs among the French populace–a revolution into which Valjean and his loved ones are to be irresistibly dragged.

South Lakes’s production was backed by a high energy ensemble that featured consistent engagement in the scene as well as incredibly strong vocals, a feature not often seen in high school ensemble casts. The ensemble buoyed the show, especially during intense full-cast numbers such as “Do You Hear the People Sing” and “One Day More.”

By far the most engaging song, however, was the fun, hilarious, and energetic “Innkeeper’s Song,” which introduced the show’s revolting comic relief, the lying, cheating, stealing, Thénardiers. Featuring most of the cast, the song effectively captured the essence of a tavern barroom at night.

Alex Turner, as Thénardier, was by far the most in character of any actor onstage: he fully committed to a variety of distinguishing features. Physically, Turner’s Thénardier was hunched and awkward, a wry sneakiness about him apparent from his introduction; vocally, Turner artfully maintained a coarse, nasal, horrendous accent while still carrying a tune. Turner’s portrayal was so convincing as to make him seem almost too revolting–an irony that contributed well to his performance.

Another actor worthy of mention was Ben Cohn, who portrayed the show’s villain, the justice-bent Inspector Javert. The intimidating Cohn commanded a considerable stage presence and maintained a subdued, almost emotionless demeanor that reflected well the polarized, absolute-driven nature of Javert’s character. Cohn’s singing was impressive, with a particularly moving and emotional final appearance, aptly titled “Javert’s Suicide.”

However, it was Fantine, played by Abbey Coryell, who featured the strongest vocals in the show. Coryell’s smooth and powerful voice was displayed in Fantine’s famous solo, “I Dreamed a Dream;” Coryell’s rendition was among the most moving songs in the entire production.

Rife with silhouette shots and smoke streaming from the ceiling, South Lakes’s lighting effects, run by Kenzy Forman, were nothing short of spectacular. From the entire cast silhouetted by intense light from behind, or a spotlight covered in bars to simulate moonlight cast into a sewer, the show’s lighting never failed to impress.

South Lake’s Les Miserables was an effective and moving performance, especially given the incredibly young age of the cast–many of the lead roles were filled by freshmen or sophomores. South Lakes’s performance is one that the entire cast should be proud of–and considering the youth of the cast as a whole, there can only be even better shows on the horizon.

Stephen White of St. Andrew’s Episcopal School.

Photo Gallery

Sean McCoy	Kirrolos Guirguis, Nikhil Delahaye, Nigel Moore, Sobe Chinaka, Eric O’Brien, Austin Bur, Tyler Dos Santos, Topher Rodrigues
“One Day More”

Photos by Michael A. Slivinski.

Anything Goes first opened on Broadway in 1934, and has been revived several times since both in Britain and America. The 1962 Off-Broadway revival is just as funny as the original. This show went by two other names until Cole Porter rewrote the show for the third time, and came out with Anything Goes.

This comedy is set on board an ocean liner from New York to London, making the hijinx all the more funny. Billy Crocker, played by Ocean Bianchi, is a young stowaway on the ship attempting to rekindle a love with Hope, played by Mary Davis, who is unfortunately engaged to Sir Evelyn Oakleigh, played by Dan Delcoco. Fortunately for Billy, his dear friend Reno Sweeney, Abby Coryell, is also on board, and more than willing to help Billy find his true love. To add to the craziness, Billy must hide from his boss who is on board, and Public Enemy number 13, Moonface Martin played by Alex Turner is on board. As the crew searches for Public Enemy number 1, whose ticket Billy holds, hijinx ensue and the show becomes more and more intense.

The superb cast was led by Bianchi and Coryell, who also made fantastic vocal performances. Coryell, who especially shone in the number “Anything Goes,” brought laughs and joy to the audience. While this show is hilarious on its own, Turner and Lauren Whitley as Bonnie, Moonface’s companion, brought out the hilarity of the show with great skill. Known for it’s tap dancing numbers, South Lakes brought out the best in this dimension as well.

There were few if any sound and lighting errors. Stage crew was efficient and silent, making the scene changes seamless and quick. The set, which is the ocean liner, is breathtaking and allowed for the actors to be on different levels of the stage.

South Lakes High School’s performance of Anything Goes is a spectacular performance that is hilarious, fun, and one that the entire family would enjoy. This is one show that the audience will have “hot pants” for.

by Madeleine Grewell of Albert Einstein High School

With music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and a book by Linda Woolverton, Beauty and the Beast was adapted from Disney’s classic story of love and acceptance. The beautiful but quirky Belle is eager to escape her “small provincial town,” despite the lustful advances of its most popular, and most pompous, citizen, Gaston. After Belle’s father is captured, she soon finds herself wrapped up in the world of a spell-bound castle whose residents are anything but common.

Marshall Severin lead the cast as the troubled Beast. Severin ably showed the Beast’s uneasy transition from callous and harsh to innocent and sweet as he fell in love with the beautiful Belle. His physicality made the character believable and his smooth, crisp voice produced some of the most memorable numbers in the show including “How Long Must This Go On” and “If I Can’t Love Her.” Contrasting nicely to the brazen fury of the Beast was the sweet and gentle Belle, played by Mary Davis. Davis brought to the part not only the talent, but the delicacy and grace called for as the leading lady.

South Lake’s supporting cast of quirky castle characters brought life and energy to many scenes. Lumiere was played by Alex Turner with every bit of charm, comedic timing, and physicality that the part called for. Turner made excellent use of a reliable French accent and smooth vocal performances to raise the energy level whenever he appeared on stage. Amy Girardi‘s solo as Mrs. Potts provided the perfect underscore for romantic scenes while Lauren Whitley‘s spunky flirtatiousness as Babette the feather duster lightened the mood.

While the cast as a whole showed obvious commitment, the ensemble was somewhat lacking in energy and vibrancy, especially during large group numbers.

While the music was at times too loud for the actors to be heard and the microphones had several technical glitches, the student orchestra was impressive, with a particularly praiseworthy performance given by James Ngyuen, the solo violinist. South Lake’s stage crew was also extremely efficient with complex scene changes that made them exciting rather than disruptive.

With talented leads and a committed supporting cast, South Lakes did an admirable job with this lengthy show of beauty and true love. After all, who doesn’t love a classic Disney fairy tale once in a while?

by Samantha Henry of Westfield