Curtains
at JP Taravella HS

Reviewed on November 6, 2009

Mina Radman
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School
Submitted for publication to

A murder on opening night compromises not only the sanity of the cast, but also the integrity of musical theatre. Thus was the premise of J.P. Taravella High School's performance of "Curtains," a hilarious murder mystery musical in which everyone has a secret to hide.

Written by Rupert Holmes with lyrics and music by Fred Ebb and John Kander, respectively, "Curtains" gives the audience a glimpse into the backstage chaos of a show within a show. Set in 1959 Boston, the show begins after the murder of a supremely untalented star during her opening night curtain call. As a result, everyone in the production company of "Robbin' Hood" becomes a suspect and cannot leave the theatre while Lieutenant Frank Cioffi attempts to solve the murder and save the show.

The relatively large cast of J.P. Taravella's production was superb; delivering a fantastic, high-energy show filled with great, clean choreography and strong vocals, notwithstanding a few uneven group harmonies in the second act.

Daniel Fuentes gave an excellent performance as Lieutenant Frank Cioffi, charming the audiences with sharp comedic wit. In the role of Carmen Bernstein, Alana Ernst showcased excellent comedic timing with 1950's flair, delivering a majority of the memorable one-liners in the show. Ernst also demonstrated impressive vocals, especially during the large-group number "Show People."

Kimberlee Johnson and Zachary Durand gave spectacular performances as jilted ex-lovers Georgia Hendricks and Aaron Fox, respectively. The chemistry between the duo was evident and both actors displayed fabulous vocals, particularly during their duet "Thinking of Him/I Miss the Music" (Reprise).

Although her stage time was brief, Ashirah Israel was equally memorable as the murdered Jessica Cranshaw, acting at her best to appear dreadfully untalented.

The set was spectacular, particularly the backdrop for "Robbin' Hood," which was painted by the Taravella art club. Although there were a few set mishaps, including a struggling curtain and falling fence, the cast dealt with it easily, working the accidents into the show.

The costumes were brilliantly selected and crafted to highlight 1950s fashion, particularly the crew costumes, chosen to represent tech crew outfits in the 1950s. Additional notable costumes include the 13 beautiful student-made dresses in the 'Opening Night' scene.

In the end, the show must go on, and J.P. Taravella High's production of "Curtains" did just that, providing a hilarious show with brilliant characters and aesthetitically pleasing technical elements.

Rachel Johnson
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School
Submitted for publication to

Wide open spaces, a killing spree, and a concentration of overwhelming theatre personalities were comically combined in a fantastic performance of the musical comedy 'Curtains' by JP Taravella High School last weekend.

"Curtains," with book by Rupert Holmes and lyrics and music by Fred Ebb and John Kander, follows the cast backstage of a debut flop- "Robbin' Hood of the Old West"-- where the lead female, Jessica Cranshaw, has been found dead, on opening night. Enter Lieutenant Frank Cioffi, who places the theatre on lockdown until the murder is solved, the show is salvaged and love is found.

Daniel Fuentes, in the role of Frank Cioffi, carried the show with an exquisite comedic timing and a consistent characterization that demanded the audience's attention. Along with catching the murderer, he also tried to catch the heart of Niki Harris, played by Kayla Tomas. Tomas brought an infectiously perky personality to her role, flouncing about the stage as the innocent love interest.

Also, Kimberlee Johnson and Zachary Durand as Georgia Hendricks and Aaron Fox, respectively, gave superb performances as the two lost lovers with undeniable chemistry, brought together by the Broadway- bound Bostonian musical to work as lyricists. Durand displayed a fabulous vocal talent, his warm tenor voice filled with vibrato melted audience members in his solo number, "I Miss the Music."

Giving one of the most exceptional performances was Alana Ernst in the role of Carmen Bernstein. Her beautiful voice was showcased in numbers such as "Show People" and "It's a Business." Her intense eye contact with the audience allowed her to deliver hysterical lines with a straight face and a 1950's flourish as she transformed from staunch Broadway producer to loving mother by the curtain call.

The large ensemble of the show provided high energy throughout the show with clean, choreographed dance numbers and effective harmonies.

Many original technical aspects added a particularly personal touch. The banner in the beginning of the show within the show to introduce 'Robbin Hood' was painted to perfection by the JPT Art Club. Also, thirteen of the gorgeous dresses in Act One, handmade by senior Courtney Bishop and crew, blended brilliantly, and appropriately matched with the time period and fit to each individual character.

The cast of 'Robbin Hood' may have "murdered the integrity of musical theatre", but JP Taravella Drama most certainly did not as they proved that theatergoers should scoot on 'That-a-way' to their wonderful production.

Ara Parikh
Deerfield Beach High School
Submitted for publication to

Whether it is the consuming tumult of a murder or the droll and frantic rehearsals of a play, homicide and comedy are rarely paired so light-heartedly as in J.P Taravella High School's production of "Curtains."

The Kander and Ebb (of "Chicago" and "Cabaret" fame) musical centers around the curtain call murder of an actress in the production of the Colonial Theater's '"Robbin' Hood". Boston's Lieutenant Frank Cioffi comes to the scene to solve the murder and declares everyone in the show to be a suspect. Secrets are revealed, more murders are committed, but perhaps most importantly, "Robbin' Hood," with the help of Cioffi, is transformed into a hit.

Daniel Fuentes played true Boston cop and theater enthusiast Lieutenant Frank Cioffi with a delectably cool manner. His impressive Boston accent and kindly authoritative presence was displayed in many a scene, particularly where Cioffi offers suggestions to improve "Robbin' Hood" while (and, at times, instead of) solving the murders. Kimberlee Johnson lent a wonderfully elegant charm to the role of lyricist Georgia Hendricks. In numbers such as "Thinking of Him" and "What Kind of Man," Johnson paired flawless vocals with a mature manner well beyond her years. Perhaps the most indelible character was that of Aaron Fox, played by the outstanding Zachary Durand. Showcasing a stirring alto voice in numbers such as "I Miss the Music," Durand passionately communicated a character torn in love. Meanwhile, Alana Ernst, as producer Carmen Bernstein, stunningly conveyed an older character with blunt wisdom and an astonishing voice.

Other notable performances included those of Kayla Tomas (Nikki Harris) and Ashirah Israel (Jessica Cranshaw). Tomas's relentlessly blithe portrayal of Nikki complemented her soprano vocalization. Israel's take as the heinously untalented lead actress Jessica Cranshaw exhibited what her character didn't: talent. Israel amusingly and flawlessly managed to mess up and sing off key as Jessica at the perfect moments- mastering a very difficult aspect. Austin Sherman (Christopher Belling) amped up the hilarity of the play by combining absurdly delightful intonation with equally ridiculous body language.

Props and effects, including a hanging victim and a thrown sand bag, were well-executed by Alisha Weston and company. The sound, designed and engineered by Felipe Cuesta, contained over 200 cues and came off nearly flawlessly. While there were moments when some actors seemed to lack enthusiasm, the cast overall worked well as an ensemble, especially in the number "He Did It."

J.P Taravella's production of "Curtains" "unveiled" a success intermingled with comedy and thrill that is sure to please not just theater enthusiast/police lieutenants, but everyone else as well.

Lindsay Abbott
American Heritage Center for the Arts
Submitted for publication to

All of the actors line up for the final curtain calls of the new musical "Robbin' Hood". The ensemble and supporting characters take their bows, followed by the leading lady, Jessica Cranshaw. She receives two bouquets from loving audience members, and then promptly collapses to the ground, dead. Thus began J.P. Taravella's recent production of "Curtains" last Friday.

Set in the Colonial Theatre in Boston, 1959, during the production of "Robbin' Hood", "Curtains" sets the stage with the death of Jessica Cranshaw (Ashirah Israel), the show's leading lady. Lieutenant Frank Cioffi (Daniel Fuentes) arrives to investigate, quarantining the entire cast and crew in the theatre until he finds the killer. As more actors drop dead, Cioffi is pressured to capture the culprit before the show is forced to close.

Opening on Broadway in 2007 and closing in 2008, "Curtains" was written by Rupert Holmes, with lyrics by Fred Ebb and music by John Kander, as well as additional lyrics by Holmes and Kander.

Alana Ernst showed an impeccable grasp of her powerful character, Carmen Bernstein, with her sharp demeanor and spot-on vocals in "Show People". Daniel Fuentes never missed a beat as the witty Lieutenant Frank Cioffi, and succeeded many a-time in reducing the audience to laughter with simple one liners tossed off with an admirable deadpan delivery. As the melancholy composer Aaron Fox, Zachary Durand's facial features manifested the true emotional turmoil in the song "I Miss the Music" as his controlled vibrato echoed throughout the theatre, melding amply with Kimberlee Johnson's (Georgia Hendricks) operatic soprano.

The ensemble of "Curtains" was consistent in energy and characterization. The harmonies in the song "Show People" blended well together, and the cast executed the challenging choreography with apparent ease. Austin Sherman shined a light on the arrogance of the haughty director, Christopher Belling. Though only appearing in the opening number, Ashirah Israel left a lasting impression as the slipshod actress Jessica Cranshaw. It takes talent to believably act badly, and she pulled it off with finesse. Certain members of the ensemble didn't always seem to stay in character during the bigger numbers, but the cast's immovable determination to complete the show trumped the flaws.

The stage crew of "Curtains" did a nice job of handling the technical aspects of the show. The idea of dressing them like stage crews from the time period was clever and added to the backstage element of the show. The costumes were both appealing and functional in the dance numbers.

Between the challenging musical numbers and tricky plot twists, it could have been difficult for J.P. Taravella to pull off this show, but through the grit and commitment of the large cast, it didn't end up being "Curtains" for this musical.

Olivia Valdes
North Broward Preparatory School
Submitted for publication to

"In terms of future performances, Jessica Cranshaw now has a conflict," sighs dramatic Broadway producer Carmen Bernstein, after learning about the mysterious murder of her latest musical's leading lady. There is no mystery, however, as to the downright killer performance of Rupert Holmes's "Curtains" by J.P. Taravella High School's exceptional cast.

With music and lyrics by John Kander and Fred Ebb, "Curtains" provides audiences with an entertaining twist on the typical whodunit: seventeen outrageous musical numbers and the hilariously awful show-within-a-show "Robbin' Hood." The death of Robbin' Hood's untalented star, Jessica Cranshaw, is met with relief by its Broadway bound cast -- until they discover that every actor in the show has now become a murder suspect. Chaos ensues as Lieutenant Cioffi, a musical-loving detective, rushes to solve the crime and save the struggling show before its next performance.

The talented cast of "Curtains" transformed into jaded theater veterans without missing a beat. The ensemble worked as a unified group, successfully creating proper period atmosphere through voice, costume, and movement.

In the role of Carmen Bernstein, Alana Ernst showed remarkable range as both an actress and vocalist. Her show-stopping rendition of "Show People" was one of the night's most unforgettable moments. Zachary Durand, as Aaron Fox, also proved himself to be a standout. Durand controlled his powerful voice with extremely advanced skill during the sentimental ballad "I Miss the Music."

Austin Sherman was memorable as Christopher Belling, "Robbin' Hood's" wild, flamboyant director. His superb comic timing and captivating stage presence added an element of humor to each and every scene in which he appeared. Portraying earnest actor Bobby Pepper, Tico Baez performed with incredible energy. Baez certainly stepped up to the plate and flew through "Curtains'" intricate dance numbers with confidence and polish.

The tech crew, clad in period costumes of khakis and vests (and led by stage manager Alisha Weston, worked swiftly and efficiently. Many complex effects and rigging techniques were required, and the crew handled all of the show's demands with ease. Any minor mishaps were hidden well by both the cast members and tech. Although lighting choices were at times distracting, they were quickly resolved.

With a stellar cast, crew, and songs that leave you humming, J.P. Taravella's "Curtains" is most definitely "a tough act to follow."

Abbey Bethel
Deerfield Beach High School
Submitted for publication to

Was it Aaron and Georgia in the audience with a lethal bouquet? Or perhaps it was Niki Harris on the side of the stage with a pellet gun? With many possible suspects and many secrets to reveal, a marvelous murder mystery unfolds in J.P. Taravella High School's production of "Curtains."

A musical comedy whodunit written by Rupert Holmes with music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, "Curtains" is set in 1959 Boston at the Colonial Theatre, where the tryouts for "Robbin' Hood" are taking place. As the curtain call for the show's opening night concludes, Jessica Cranshaw, the show's superbly horrendous lead, is murdered. The cast is quarantined until Lt. Cioffi can determine who the murderer is. Meanwhile, the production of "Robbin Hood" is improved and many relationships are developed as the true intentions of the cast members are unfurled.

Alana Ernst provided a commendable performance as Carmen Bernstein, assembling a consummate characterization of the dominant, ribald, and, at times, emasculating producer of "Robbin' Hood." The aged tone of her voice complemented her character and her vocals were impressive. Lt. Frank Cioffi was frankly and remarkably portrayed by Daniel Fuentes. He was notably charming in his execution of a theater-loving detective, particularly in his scenes with Niki Harris (Kayla Tomas). As his love interest and understudy to Jessica Cranshaw, Tomas was delightful and deceptive throughout the show.

Georgia Hendricks (Kimberlee Johnson) and Aaron Fox (Zachary Durand) displayed an unquestionable onstage rapport that was evident in their multiple exchanges. Durand had captivating vocals that were both earnest and enticing, most notably in "I Miss the Music." Austin Sherman, as director Christopher Belling, delivered a laudable performance, providing much of the evening's comedy through his uproarious one-liners. Ashirah Israel, as Jessica Cranshaw, was splendidly atrocious as the lead of "Robbin' Hood," consistently out-of-step with the rest of the cast during "Wide Open Spaces."

The entire cast demonstrated high energy and enthusiasm. The production felt very natural and unforced. The costumes, courtesy of Courtney Bishop, were astoundingly gorgeous, including 13 intricate, student-made dresses that are worthy of a show's opening night and that exuded remarkable verisimilitude. The scene modifications were executed swiftly by the stage crew, who were outfitted as crew members from the 1950s, enhancing the efficient eminence of the show. The live orchestra complemented the vocalists and sustained the musical numbers.

A show that certainly does not lack luster, J.P. Taravella High School's production of "Curtains" fruitfully presented an engaging tale that melded comedy, romance, and music into a cleverly structured whodunit that is most certainly a tough act to follow.

Taylor Gulotta
Deerfield Beach High School
Submitted for publication to

Murder, mystery, romance, and business all intermingle in J.P. Taravella's production of "Curtains". The students put on their best show while acting out the worst one and dealing with the troubles of show business often hidden backstage.

The Kander and Ebb musical "Curtains" is a show about a show. Specifically, it involves a cast and crew trying to prepare their show for Broadway while undergoing a murder investigation. It takes place in Boston in 1959 all within the theater. The company's production of "Robbin' Hood" is put on hold when their leading lady is murdered right under their noses. Matters only get worse when the company finds out they can't leave the theater until the mystery is solved. Needless to say, things get a little crazy.

The production was lively, enjoyable, and filled with hilarious one-liners. The entire cast took part in several numbers, which really raised the degree of difficulty. "Show People" was a great representation of the whole cast and storyline.

All of the major leads had great vocals and choreography. Lieutenant Frank Cioffi, played by Daniel Fuentes, had a wonderful dialect that helped to distinguish his role and developed his character throughout the show. Zachary Durand, who played Aaron Fox, lent his strong vocals to several songs and nailed his solo in "I Miss the Music." He and Kimberlee Johnson (as his love interest Georgia Hendricks) had a believable relationship on the stage. Alana Ernst, who played Carmen Bernstein, did a spot-on job of playing an "all business" woman with a hidden soft side.

Wesley Huffman, who played Johnny Harmon, had a role that required interaction with every character and did a good job of incorporating that into his role. Ashirah Israel, who only had a few minutes of stage time as Jessica Crenshaw, was excellent at being horrible. She forgot her lines, missed her cues, and sang with the voice of a dying cat, much to the delight of the audience. Choreography was nicely executed in numbers like "What Kind of Man?" and "Thataway".

An interesting aspect of the tech crew was their attire. They were cleverly dressed as techies from the 1950's, which added to the timely feel of the show. The dresses in the opening number, which were made by the students, were simply wonderful. Even with over two hundred sound cues, the sound crew did a reasonable job of handling the work. The set that the play used was often the actual backstage of the theater, which was very appropriate and worked well.

The production was a fun one that had the audience laughing, all the while anxious to find out whodunit. From the time the curtains opened to when they closed, the show was entertaining and a treat for all to see.