The late Bill Strauss, co-founder of the Capitol Steps and the Cappies program, was inspired by the American Southwest to write the pensive book and lyrics to match the deep and moving score by multiple-Grammy nominee Peter Kater.

An intensely lyrical piece that combines today’s money culture with ancient Native American traditions in the Southwest, Anasazi tells the love story of Becca, an uptight white investment banker, and Qualee, a fiercely traditional member of the Hopi tribe. Becca is on the reservation for Canyon Homes, a development project spearheaded by the ruthless Kookya, a pushy woman believed to be the last descendent of the ancient and mystical Anasazi tribe. Questions of love and justice abound as Becca and Qualee struggle to either support the project or take a different path on the “Road of Life.”

For most students, Anasazi would be rife with challenge: a vocally-demanding score, Katy Burnard‘s extensive choreography, and intricate technical work. Yet the Cappies cast and crew effortlessly succeeded, creating a believable, Hopi-centered world bursting with energy and color.

Max Lebeuf easily mastered his role as confused moralist Qualee, whose love for a woman blinds his love for the tribe and its traditions. He played the role with a fierce devotion, but not without touches of comedy and a signature grin. His passion and charming voice gave Lebeuf a natural stage presence. Equally as engaging was Katie Ryerson as Becca, a tightly wound businesswoman. Her love for Qualee came off as authentic and sweet, while Ryerson’s monologues yakking on her cell phone were performed with a humor and anxiety that made for an endearing character.

Sarah Swire hit it out of the park as Kookya, the fierce antagonist who cares for money, her reputation, and little else. Swire’s enjoyable performance featured feisty dancing, smooth vocals, and an unstoppable stage presence. Her adorable, dorky cronies Prescott (Chris Weschler) and Winslow (Ian Geldart) broadcasted a wide comic appeal with klutzy mannerisms and accented speech.

Lolma, a jealous Hopi woman skeptical of Becca’s intentions with the reservation and Qualee, was played by Sarah Byrd in a rich vocal performance of memorable and enjoyable songs like “Two Women” and “Love Goes On.” Her sister Taawi (Kim Ness) and white brother-in-law Griffin (Zach Mays) gave inspired lessons on love with flawless interaction and lovely duets. Pa’a, played by Jake Zumoff, roused the audience from the first song, “Golden Dawn,” and remained lively throughout, often accompanied by the animated ensemble and the melodious Kachina (Reuben Schwartz).

A technical marvel, Anasazi came together with the use of vibrant and colorful props, makeup, and costumes, created in a flash by the talented Sara Lavenhar and Mimi Lynch. From floating spirits and gorgeous masks to modern Hopi-inspired dress and believable bronzed faces, the production was a visual feast. Vivid set pieces created by Sarah Stephens, meant to resemble the red cliffs and valleys of the Southwest, were enhanced by a creative and oft-used turning platform. Ashley McCusker‘s lighting hit all the right notes, using multi-colored gels and symbolic darkness to perfectly highlight the performers. While the presentation’s sound quality was occasionally marred by small blips and squeaks, the performers never struggled to be heard.

Like the butterflies that Qualee and Becca longed to become, Anasazi: The Pahaana of the Prophecy was a delicate, beautiful, and enjoyable production that was there and gone in a flash, leaving the audience only wanting more.

Written by Julia Katz, McLean High School
Nominated Cappie Critic, 2008

STARZ! A Midsummer Night’s Frolic is a all-star revue set to a familiar storyline. This showcase includes scenes from Medea by Christopher Durang and A Matter of Husbands by Ferenc Molnar and popular songs such as “Stop in the Name of Love,” “Let’s Hear it for the Boy” and “Thriller!”

Directed by Julie Wharton and co-produced by Judy Bowns and Jane Strauss, Starz! A Midsummer Night’s Frolic is brought alive by the actor’s natural talent and stage presence. Whether the Mechanicals are bumbling around or characters were breaking out in songs from recently student written CIT pieces such as Edit: Undo and Senioritis the cast of Starz! A Midsummer Night’s Frolic thoroughly entertained even when energy sometimes lacked.

Jake Zumoff, in particular, mastered his part as Snug/Lion. With a meek and scaredy-cat interpretation of his character, Zumoff reminds of The Cowardy Lion in The Wizard of Oz. His tenor voice, also impressive, soared over notes during the song “Everybody says Don’t” from the musical Anyone Can Whistle. Margaret Berkowitz also proved up to the task, especially when she played the young wife in a scene from Ferenc Molnar’s play, A Matter of Husbands. Her voice impressed as well while singing “Let’s Hear it for the Boy” and “Stop in the Name of Love.”

Hannah Spear gave a solid performance as Hermia and especially Medea. While portraying Medea, Spear gave a strong yet comical performance, which backed up by the Medea chorus (Shelby Alexander, Margaret Berkowitz, Bonnie Ings, Sarah Schwartz, and Liz Fallon) had the entire audience bursting out laughing.

The chemistry between Reuben Schwartz as Demetrius and Bonnie Ings as Helena was apparent and both brought their A-game as well. Sarah Byrd, Tim O’Brien, Kim Ness, and Chris Weschler, although in small roles, were memorable as the messenger (Byrd), “Playa” (O’Brien), the comical Angel (Ness), and Weschler as a Clown and Jacob.

Even though a few actors struggled with the Shakespearian language within the play, some succeeded and should be commended for their obvious effort at attempting to master and portray the difficult language.

With flawless technical elements including microphones that were never heard (Mimi Lynch), a run crew that was never seen (Sarah Stephens), bright and brilliant lighting (Ashley McCusker) paired with equally as bright costumes (Sara Lavenhar), Starz! A Midsummer Night’s Frolic proved to be a cute and enchanting show that showcased the acting and technical capabilities of the nominees and award winning cappie students involved.

If you didn’t go see this entertaining show, make sure you catch Anasazi: A Hopi Prophecy Musical by William A. Strauss that will include this same talented cast and crew. The performances will be at McLean High School (1633 Davidson Rd, McLean) on Sunday, August 3rd at 3 pm and at the Kennedy Center’s Theater Lab on Monday, August 4th at 7 pm.

Cappies International Theater (CIT) is a three week program based in Washington D.C. where winning Lead Cappie winners from around the US and Canada, along with Cappie winners, nominees, and honorees from the NCA (National Capital Area) come together and perform two shows. This year, the participants are from El Paso, St. Louis, Springfield, and Philadelphia, along with Edmonton and Ottawa, Canada. For more information and tickets, please see: www.cappies.com/cit

Written by Steve Einhorn, Robert E. Lee High School, Nominated Cappie Critic