Rebel Without A Cause
at Wakefield High School

Reviewed on January 18, 2014

Tyler Larkworthy
Langley High School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Alex/Arl

Unruly teenagers clad in leather jackets and rolled-up jeans, fast cars and romance--sounds an awful lot like Grease, but this is no sunny suburban tale. This is Wakefield High School's production of Rebel Without a Cause, the gritty story of teenage angst and the violence and delinquency that accompany it.

Originally a film starring James Dean, Rebel Without a Cause was dramatized by James Puller and details the experience of seventeen year old Jim Stark. Jim struggles with his family, constantly listening to his mother berate his spineless father. When the family moves to a new town, Jim quickly becomes the enemy of local ruffian Buzz, who's always accompanied by his gang of teen thugs. He soon befriends Plato, an innocent but troubled boy abandoned by his father and neglected by his mother. Jim's violent encounters with the gang only escalate after the tragic death of Buzz during a "chickie race." The thugs are scared off after Plato cracks and shoots one of them, later getting shot by police himself. This distressing turn of events finally inspires Jim's dad to be a real father figure, and he and Jim reconcile.

The show was anchored by its main trio of teens, Jim, Judy, and Plato, whose clear understanding of their characters fueled the production's recalcitrant undertones and made for some raw depictions of inner issues. Their energy and dedication to their roles made for remarkable performances.

When confronted by adult authority figures, William Westray IV as Jim exuded the perfect tough, obstinate demeanor of a rebellious teenager. But Westray also seamlessly transitioned into moments of uneasiness around his arguing parents, or awkwardness when trying to fit in with his thug-like peers. Opposite him, Lena Mobin captured the development of Judy Brown. Mobin's initial aplomb and snide attitude contrasted impeccably with her later tender feelings for Jim.

As the awkward, jittery Plato, Nicholas Cadby-Spicer found surprising depth. His initial nervous encounters with Jim brought some well-received comic relief, while his later emotional outburst gripped the audience with anxiety. Without a strong authority figure however, the show would've fallen flat, and thankfully Sean Balick understood that while delivering his relentlessly intense performance as Ray. Reactions from some cast members could have had more energy, but overall ensembles in the show proved to be cohesive and nuanced.

Memorable lighting effects enhanced the show greatly. Gobos created both realistic window light patterns and dazzling stars for the planetarium. Other lighting aspects, such as the use of lighting to separate the minimal set into rooms and, adequately supported the play's action. Costumes, including leather jackets, jeans, long skirts, and Jim's iconic red jacket, established the time period effectively.

Through their commitment to and understanding of complex characters, the cast of Rebel Without a Cause achieved something exceptional. In a show filled with bloodshed, personal anguish, and tragedy, they found a message of hope and the strength of our compassion for others in friendships, families, and romances.

Marielle Burt
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Alex/Arl

Clad in leather jackets, high-top converse, and bitter scowls, the juveniles in the classic film Rebel Without a Cause captured the angst of a generation. But in the intimacy of the theater at Wakefield High School, the story gained a new, raw, realism that went beyond the limits of a camera lens.

The play closely follows the plot of the iconic movie: teenager Jim Stark grapples with the suffocating, emptiness of his middle-class life and his out-of-touch parents. His misery is heightened when he transfers to a new school and is isolated by his peers. Jim only finds solace in his friendship with the similarly tempestuous teens Judy and Plato. Their bonds will be tested when tragedy strikes and the suburban town devolves into chaos. Hollywood superstar James Dean earned the film its rightful place in the canon of American drama. But even as the actor's fame skyrocketed, tragedy bought his career to an abrupt halt: Rebel Without a Cause was released one month after Dean died in a tragic car accident. Despite the events surrounding its release, the movie remains one of the most celebrated American dramas.

Wakefield's production fearlessly tackles this daunting material of the paly. As Jim Stark, William Westray IV was vulnerable yet courageous, surly yet romantic, and isolated yet loyal. Though he played the delinquent, his performance was laced with startling sincerity. Moreover, whether shifting uncomfortably in an interview with a social worker, or lunging with a knife in a gang fight, his physical presence was palpable. As he interacted with his love interest Judy (Lena Mobin), the shy graze of an arm was enough to convey the endearing awkwardness of their whole relationship.

Nicholas Cadby-Spicer, in the role of Plato, Jim's troubled but devoted friend, developed an impressively nuanced character arc. His transformation from Jim's innocent admirer in the first act, to a fearful antagonist in the second was achieved with subtly. Cadby-Spicer's constant spontaneity was especially refreshing in contrast to other supporting characters, whose motivations were not always apparent. Sean Balick as Ray (a social worker) was equally devoted to his role. He took on the gestures and mannerisms of an adult, with impressive skill.

There was an obvious challenge in transferring a cinema production to the stage, where detailed settings were impossible to replicate. Admirably, the technical crew at Wakefield High School overcame this challenge with a brazenly simplistic aesthetic that sharpened the audience's focus on the actors' intensity. Basic furniture provided the set for each scene, while the colored lighting further clarified the setting. The light also enhanced the unsettling mood of several scenes--one memorable the flashlights of three hoodlums pierced through the darkness of the stage and a silhouette of a window struck actors faces with chilling impact.

Adapting an acclaimed film heralded for the passion of its performers, the cast of Wakefield High School brought their own passion to Rebel Without a Cause. The production's fresh lens of realism thrived on stage.

Stuart Pratuch
West Springfield HS
Submitted for publication to ShowBizRadio.net

Oftentimes, a James Dean movie carries with it a certain aesthetic: teenage rebellion, moral decay, angst. These motifs carry great weight through his works and help shed an impressive amount of light on the teenage lifestyle of the 1950s. Rebel Without a Cause is no such exception. As Wakefield High School explored phenomenally, Rebel Without a Cause carries these haunting themes with an alluring input on the problems of that era.

Rebel Without a Cause was originally a film released in 1955. The movie featured talented cast members of the time period including Natalie Wood, Sal Mineo, and James Dean. It was the only film with James Dean having the top billing and was ultimately released by Warner Brothers less than a month after James Dean's tragically fatal car crash. The movie recounts the story of seventeen year old Jim Stark as he rebels against not only his parents, but also his bullying peers. Stark befriends an equally troubled John "Plato" Crawford and witnesses Plato's downhill spiral as it cumulates in a tumultuous ending, sparking gasps and concern from the audience.

Many strong performances came through in Wakefield's production. Jim Stark, portrayed by William Westray IV, was consistently in tune with the troubles of his world while also sharing fantastic chemistry with Judy Brown (Lena Mobin). Meanwhile, Nicholas Cadby-Spicer's Plato conjured insight into the naivety and lingering troubles ever present in his quarrelsome mind through his constant determination to remain in character and excellent physicality. Meanwhile, Max Carruth's performance of Buzz Gunderson played off very well versus Jim Stark as an obvious determination to dominate the other was visible between any interactions between the two. The chemistry between each and every one of these actors helped drive the show forward into an incredibly action-packed ending.

Other notable performances also came from some of the ensemble. Buzz's Gang (Todd Shapiro, Forrest Jacobs, Kerry Hackes) captured the intense 1950s mob feeling while also having individual personalities in and out of their group. Especially impressive was the social worker, Ray, performed by Sean Balick. Despite the massive age difference between actor and character, Balick created individual chemistries with each character he talked to. Some other stellar portrayals came from Jim's parents (Leonard Claure, Sofia Navas-Sharry) who played well against each other as well as against their son. This juxtaposition only served to further explain the innocence and lack of understanding both parents had towards their son. Overall, everyone's wonderful diction moved the story forward to its climactic ending.

While the actors thrived, the technical aspects were not left unnoted. The recently remodeled theater was fully utilized as actors ascended and descended the different levels, breaking the surreal fourth wall. The minimalist set design focused the attention of the audience on the actors while the costuming was aesthetically pleasing and varied so that no two characters looked drastically similar. On the other hand, while some of the lighting struggled a little at revealing the actors' faces, it was an admirable attempt at revealing the darker aspects of the play through the dramatic shadows they cast upon the actors as well as the multiple angles from both the side and front lights utilized to a significant degree. Overall, the vast array of technical skills came through outstandingly in Wakefield's show.

As the more somber and sinister thoughts of each character crept through into the finale, Wakefield's performance of Rebel Without a Cause left the audience in shock and dismay, ending with a conclusive and melancholy tone ringing through the audience.

Jordan Goodson
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Submitted for publication to Patch.com - ARL/MC/Mont/DC

A lone man strides across the stage, whistling; a slick teenager approaches, asking to bum a cigarette. As friends of the boy step out of the shadows, the innocent atmosphere transforms into one of menace and of malice — in an instant a fist flies, a cry of pain releases into the air, and Wakefield High School's evocative production of Rebel Without a Cause begins.

Rebel Without a Cause, dramatized by James Fuller, originated as a 1955 film directed by Nicholas Ray and starring James Dean. It follows the titular rebel Jim Stark, a suburban teen struggling with the stifling and explosive combination of adolescence and disillusionment. Jim starts at a new school and immediately comes into conflict with the bullying greaser Buzz Gunderson, the boyfriend of Judy, Jim's future love interest. Buzz challenges Jim to a "chicken run" — in which the two race cars towards a cliff, the last one bailing being the "chicken." Though Jim survives, Buzz falls to his death. Jim's subsequent guilt about his involvement leads him to attempt to confess, and after Buzz's goons spot Jim voluntarily entering the police station, they go after him with devastating consequences.

As Jim, William Westray IV carried the show. He embodied the troubled teen vocally and emotionally, employing both a disaffected manner of speaking and sharp outbursts of anger tempered by subtler expressions of confusion and distress. Providing a perfect counterpoint for Westray, Nicholas Cadby-Spicer depicted Jim's mentally unbalanced friend Plato with a jittery awkwardness that unraveled into instability and irrationality. Cadby-Spicer's slow reveal of Plato's disturbed nature reflected an understanding of the delicacy and intricacy of mental illness, allowing for the natural progression from being in trouble to being troubled. Lena Mobin, as Judy, impressively shifted between her character's tough-girl façade and vulnerable inner self, letting her flinty and sardonic veneer chip away as her relationship with Jim intensified.

The principal actors of the show were supported by strong performances from the supporting cast. Max Carruth portrayed tough-guy Buzz with a maniacal flair, teetering on the edge between sanity and psychopathy and tumbling over the cliff along with his character. Both Sean Balick, as passionate social worker Ray, and Leonard Claure, as Jim's father, took on the weighty challenge of depicting characters much older than themselves with aplomb, both using a mature physicality and altered vocal tone to age their portrayals. As Judy's sister Belle, Caroline Frias injected a touch of humor and naiveté to the production, and Todd Shapiro and Forrest Jacobs, as Buzz's cronies Crunch and Goon, exemplified the 1950s recalcitrant against-the-man attitude with intimidating coldness and sneering confidence.

The production's technical aspects supplemented its chilly ambiance. The set was versatile and minimalist, allowing for multiple locations with only minor scene changes. Costumes were period-appropriate and detailed, with the brightness of Jim's iconic red jacket contrasting sharply with the bleak colors of the other characters' attire. The lighting was finely attuned, used successfully to differentiate between settings, and the sound was run smoothly and efficiently.

Rebel Without a Cause, though written and set in the 50s, explores issues still relevant today: self-realization, the problems that come with growing up in an increasingly cynical and isolated world, and the tug-of-war between what's right and what's easy. The teenage actors of Wakefield's production tackled this daunting agenda with ease, not shying away from the sometimes harsh and overwhelming themes. Creating countless moments filled with tension, emotion, and actualization, Wakefield High School's cast of Rebel Without a Cause certainly had cause for celebration.

Katie Kolo
Thomas Edison High School
Submitted for publication to The Wakefield Chieftain

The 1950s was a time of discovery for up-and-coming teenagers, just like the ones in Wakefield High School's production of Rebel Without a Cause. From the opening fight scene to the dramatic conclusion, the show is an austere exploration of honor in people learning to find their own way.

Based on a movie of the same title starring James Dean and Natalie Wood, the story follows the new kid in town, Jim Stark and his spoken-for love interest, Judy Brown. After making friends with a misfit nicknamed Plato, Jim runs into trouble with the local gang of Creeps, lead by Buzz Gunderson. This conflict only escalates and Jim spends his time attempting to fix mistakes (and learn what it means to be a man at the same time).

The set was minimalistic with more pieces and textured lighting than painted backgrounds. The cast as a whole really nailed the spirit of the 1950s where sometimes actors fall short due to outdated lines or failure to relate to teenagers of a different era. There were occasionally problems with hard consonants at the end of words and the pace of the show was a little slow, but generally, the cast worked together well and as a cohesive unit.

William Westray IV as Jim Stark was captivating in his physicality. He had the classic teenager's fidgety disinterest down to a science, even when he was merely sprawled across a couch. His sensitive portrayal of angsty confusion showed how truly in touch with his character he was. Meanwhile, Lena Mobin as beauty queen Judy Brown was well cast as she struck a great balance of passionate yet unsure of herself. Also to be commended was Nicholas Cadby-Spicer as Plato. He stole the audience's hearts with small, deadpan lines that would have otherwise been overlooked and later revealed himself not only as comic relief, but as a well-developed, unique character.

Among the best of the supporting cast was Max Carruth as Buzz Gunderson, whose slow, sauntering movements perfectly encapsulated the character of 1950s style tough guy, from the slicked-back hair down to the combat boots. Another stellar featured actress was Caroline Frias as Belle Brown, Judy's younger, perkier sister. She brought sparkle in her lines that completely counteracted the intentional awkwardness of the Brown family. As a whole, the ensemble was humorous and engaged in the scenes, although there could have been more reactions to big moments within the show.

The crew of the Wakefield Players was skillful, executing scene changes with unwieldy set pieces with surprising speed and grace. Additionally, the lighting (designed by Emily Hambridge and Jack Dobbins, operated by Evan Voldal) was original and interesting. It also accomplished the difficult task of having darkness, but still allowing actors' faces to be shown. Consistently, the lighting was used to differentiate between settings in the play and was a helpful and intriguing tool to observe.

Rebel Without a Cause presented by Wakefield High School was not just a gripping trip back in time, but a show whose connotations of honor will endure for modern teenagers today, and even tomorrow.

Emma Paquette
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to The Wakefield Chieftain

Teenagers have baffled the adult world since the creation of the term in the fifties. During a time when juvenile delinquency was seemingly rampant, the world was at a loss for any way to deal with the new species of humanity. Wakefield High School captured the confusion and struggles of the decade in their gripping production of Rebel Without a Cause.

Rebel Without a Cause was originally a 1955 movie starring James Dean and Natalie Wood. The film was released posthumously after Dean's fatal car crash at the age of twenty-four. The critically acclaimed film received three Academy Award nominations and was later adapted for stage by James Fuller. The story centers on troubled Jim Stark, a teen with seemingly nowhere to turn as he tries to sort himself out. His tumultuous past lands him at Dawson High School, where his first days are rife with danger, turmoil, and love.

The leads held the show together with their consistent intensity and deep investment in the events circling around them. William Westray IV as the conflicted Jim was an undeniable standout. His physicality was utterly natural, capturing the slightly awkward teen with his constant shifting and anxious fixation on his nails. In contrast to other members of the cast, Westray seemed to entirely understand his character and reacted honestly to the difficult situations of the play. He and Judy (Lena Mobin) displayed a sincere chemistry, overshadowing the suddenness of the relationship in their genuine attachment. The main trio was completed by Plato, played with gusto by Nicholas Cadby-Spicer. The neglected and mentally-ill boy elicited strong sympathy from the audience, culminating in an affecting emotional climax at the end of the show.

Despite a few blips, the supporting cast succeeding in rounding out the show with some strong portrayals. Sean Balick as Ray, the concerned social worker, was particularly commendable for his high energy and confident movements that created a formidable physical presence. Adding to the violent suspense was the band of goons, previously led by the wild Buzz Gunderson who was played with panache and unabashed confidence by Max Carruth. In the wake of their leader's death, Crunch, Goon, and Moose (Todd Shapiro, Forrest Jacobs, and Kerry Hackes) band together to form a terrifying team against Jim and his friends. Finally, in one of the smaller parts, Caroline Frias made a positive impression as Judy's little sister, Belle. Her childish tone and bounces established her age masterfully.

The technical elements showed a strong sense of design and created a visually stimulating picture upon the stage. Despite some issues with shadows, the moody lighting worked well to help set up the many different locations within the script. The beautiful planetarium stars and the reflection of windows at the deserted mansion were two of the most striking effects. Costumes had some great color choices, particularly in the stark red of Jim's jacket against the dull colors worn by the rest of the cast. Running crew, despite some issues with speed, was well-organized and capable, setting up the appropriately minimal set with little trouble.

When it was first released, Rebel Without a Cause was heralded as the quintessential teen movie, capturing the difficulties of that state between child and adulthood. While times and circumstances have changed, the essential issues of growing up remain the same. Wakefield High School gave a memorable performance and succeeded in impressing their message of understanding and strength with their stage production of the classic film.