Curtains
at Robinson Secondary School

Reviewed on May 10, 2014

Marielle Burt
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Fairfax

The show must go on—even in the midst of a full-scale homicide investigation. The sacred mantra of show business is put to the ultimate test when the not-so-super star of the Broadway-bound "Robbin' Hood!" is poisoned on opening night. A murder mystery unravels as the western show-within-the-show comes together in Robinson Secondary School's "Curtains." The result: a wild night of intrigue, suspicion, and square dancing.

"Curtains" premiered on Broadway in 2009, with book by Rupert Holmes, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and music by John Kander. The show is set in Boston in 1959 and follows police investigator Lt. Frank Cioffi as he delves into the murder of the late drama-queen, Jessica Cranshaw. But even the strait-laced detective has a secret: he is a closet musical theater fanatic. By the end of the show, he uncovers both the murderer and the secret to transforming "Robbin' Hood!" from the butt of reviewers jokes into a smash hit. With a supporting cast of amusingly accurate theater stereotypes, "Curtains" is sure crowd pleaser.

As Frank Cioffi - crime investigator, show doctor, actor, and romantic - Spencer Boyd was a multi-talented superstar. Yet, his chivalrous, dorky persona made him easy to relate to. With optimism in every scenario (even those involving bullets) Boyd was a welcome anomaly amongst the company of theatre divas and high-strung producers. His interactions with the adorable company member Niki Harris (Madelyn Ingram) were irresistibly awkward, earning a chorus of "aw" after each of his innocent pick-up lines.

With flashy dance numbers, sharp comedic beats, and unwavering energy, the ensemble cast provided abundant entertainment. The cast was hilarious, in the number "The Woman's Dead," in their feigned disappointment in response to the death of "Robbin' Hood!"'s train-wreck lead actress. Jamie Green, as the brilliant and flamboyant Director Chistopher Belling, was especially hysterical in this scene, unabashedly smirking at the news of his star's demise.

Other standout performers include Hannah Sikora as Carmen Bernstein, the snappy, sassy producer with a love for show biz, and a hate for everyone who gets in her way. Bernstien's daughter Bambi (Chloe Gilfoil) had the combination of her mother's sass and the ego of a rising actress. Stephen Diggs as the music director of "Robbin Hood!" had an exquisite tenor voice that shone in scenes such as "I Miss the Music." Additionally, Sam Sikora, the stage manager who juggled the madness of the production-within-a-production, played his role with comic realism.

The technical elements of the show clarified the show-within-a-show structure. The set was creatively designed to reveal the theater's back stage space and function as an actual theater while entrances from side doors and the audience further enhanced the concept. Set pieces for "Robbin' Hood!" were crafted with detail and allowed for large, full company stage pictures. Likewise, the costumes for the Western play were vibrant, cohesive, and well constructed. Despite a few microphone issues, the gunshot sound cues were on point and realistic.

Who knew back stage was as perilous as the Wild, Wild West? With the intrigue of a "whodunit" and the humor of "Whose line is it Anyway?" Robinson Secondary School's "Curtains" is a riotous success.

Margaret O'Meara
West Potomac High School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Fairfax

Robinson Secondary School's exciting production of Curtains proves that although it may be curtains for some, despite mystery, mayhem, and murders, the show must go on!

Curtains, book written by Rupert Holmes and music and lyrics by Fred Ebb and John Kander, won the Tony award for Leading Actor in a Musical and two Drama Desk Awards in 2007. When Lieutenant Frank Cioffi is called to the scene of a murder at a theater, the cast of Robbin' Hood in the Old West is quarantined until the murderer is found. Cioffi, a musical theatre enthusiast, slowly assumes the role of director by putting his own ideas into the show and despite what the director wants to believe, Cioffi's ideas actually made the show Broadway ready. As Cioffi gets closer to finding the murderer, two others are found dead, creating even more panic. With unexplainable clues, restless cast members, and a pesky critic, the cast is reminded that the show must go on while Cioffi investigates and cleverly discovers the murderer's motives.

Spencer Boyd as Lieutenant Frank Cioffi captured the quirky, enthusiastic detective and musical theatre aficionado perfectly. His charming and lovable behaviors on stage gave his character the appropriate innocence and adorableness he needed to become a crowd favorite. Boyd's impressive vocals first stood out in "Show People" where we learned of Cioffi's passionate love of musical theatre. Boyd continued to raise the bar in his duets with love interest Niki Harris (Madelyn Ingram) singing "Coffee Shop Nights" and "A Tough Act to Follow," developing his character and spurring the romantic relationship between Niki and Frank.

Notable actors include Hannah Sikora as producer Carmen Bernstein, Katie Rogers as lyricist Georgia Hendricks, and Stephen Diggs as score writer Aaron Fox. Sikora had an incredible and memorable presence on stage, reminding us in "Show People" and "It's a Business" what show business is all about. Rogers and Diggs, although their characters were arguing through most of the show, maintained a unique chemistry that later pleased the audience to see that their characters secretly still loved each other and missed the music they made together in "Thinking of Missing the Music."

Curtains was full of show business jokes and over-the-top characters. Jamie Green, as director Christopher Belling, stole the hearts and laughs of the audience as he delivered his character's flamboyancy and pretentious attitude humorously, mocking the snobbish lifestyle of a director.

This performance of Curtains thrived on its ensemble numbers. "The Woman's Dead," "Thataway," and "He Did It" captured the energy and power of the ensemble. Large dance numbers were held together by the glue that was strong vocalist and talented featured dancers.

Set design by Jon Rice and Sam Rudy created set pieces that would work with both Curtains and the show inside the show, Robbin' Hood of the Old West. Lindsay Rubin and Naod Haddish's special effects and use of a fly system took the murders to a whole new level. Allowing the victim to be hung in the air by a rope assisted in the illusion of the murder. The lighting design (Analise Scruggs and Drew Ingram) created appropriate moods and tones that fit each scene. The Kansasland Orchestra was incredibly talented. From slow tempos to fast tempos, the orchestra kept the energy and excitement building throughout the show.

What could be a bigger testament to the saying "the show must go on!" than performing with a murderer on the loose?! Robinson Secondary School's production of the musical comedy whodunit mystery Curtains was a thrilling, hair-raising, enjoyable show of pure comedic entertainment.

Sam Miller
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to ShowBizRadio.net

The bows are taken, the lights dim, the curtain falls… And that's when the real drama begins. It's "curtains" for Jessica Cranshaw, the abysmal lead actress in Robbin' Hood, a show that hopes to make it to Broadway. The whodunit comedy, "Curtains", put on by Robinson Secondary School, was a hilarious hoopla of heinous homicide and heartwarming hi-jinks.

After Robbin' Hood's leading lady dies and the show's opening night reviews are dreadful, the cast is sure that the show will close immediately. However, theatre enthusiast Officer Cioffi informs the cast that Jessica was murdered, that they're all suspects, and that none of them are allowed to leave the building until the killer is found. He quickly develops a crush on the suspicious Niki Harris, who seems to always be the one to find the murder weapons. The show's producer, Carmen Bernstein, decides that she and her adulterous husband will continue their work on the show, and that the director, Christopher Belling, should use the time to rework the show. Officer Cioffi, who saw and loved the production, seconds the idea. Lyricist Georgia Hendricks is cajoled into taking over the lead role, despite the protests of her song-writing partner and ex-husband, Aaron Fox. However, as more members of the company are murdered, it's clear that the killer won't be satisfied until the entire show is shut down.

Officer Cioffi, played by Spencer Boyd, had a goofy enthusiasm that was akin to a kid in a candy shop, as the suppressed Lieutenant was allowed to let his inner-thespian out. As he and Niki Harris (Madelyn Ingram) delved deeper into the mystery, the two also developed a charming chemistry. Another couple with fabulous chemistry was the songwriting duo and ex-spouses, Aaron Fox (Stephen Diggs) and Georgia Hendricks (Katie Rogers), who both had powerful voices and excellent comedic timing.

Another brilliantly comedic actor, Jamie Green, who played the director, not only had fantastic delivery, but continuously compensated for his patchy microphone. His stodgy sidekick, the stage manager, Johnny Harmon (Sam Sikora), played his role as the company's confidant with the world-weary impatience of every stage manager to ever grace the wings. The two men cowered beneath the business-minded producer of the show, Carmen Bernstein (Hannah Sikora), who bellowed out her orders and expected them to be followed. Despite her daughter's casting in the show, she was the antithesis of a stage mother, and wasn't afraid who knew it. Her daughter, Bambi, (Chloe Gilfoil), and Bobby Pepper (Elijah King), the actor who played Robin Hood, had a spectacularly well-executed dance number that redefined the meaning of ‘square dance'.

Despite several issues with the sound throughout the show, the technical aspects were, overall, well done. The orchestra did their best to compensate for the failing microphones, and the lighting was used very effectively to highlight the mood. The costumes were either student made or altered by their costume crew and their age make up was used very effectively.

Robinson Secondary School's performance of Curtains was an emotionally evocative masterpiece that had the audience rolling with laughter and tears throughout the entire evening. Beautifully crafted and wonderfully well executed, it led to an enjoyable evening for all.

Anna Coughlan
Lake Braddock Secondary School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com - Fairfax

A lead actress dead before the end of curtain call — hey, the mystery creates free publicity! Such was the mindset of the wacky thespian characters of the murder mystery musical Curtains. Robinson's production featured a committed cast with comedic chops, and displayed technical elements which brought the show to life.

After its appearance on Broadway, Curtains was nominated for several Tony's, including Best Musical. David Hyde Pierce collected the award for Lead Actor as Frank Cioffi. Curtains follows the all-around suspicious cast of Robbin' Hood of the Old West, a play being dragged down by its awful lead actress Jessica Crenshaw. After Jessica is mysteriously murdered, the entire cast and crew are locked in the theater while detective Frank Cioffi attempts to figure out exactly whodunit.

Comic timing and delivery are essential in this musical-mystery comedy, and the entire cast met the task with aplomb. Of particular note was Jamie Green, playing the eccentric British director Christopher Belling. Green refused to reduce his character to a stereotype, and played the gamut from his declarative proclamations to the most nuanced humor with finesse and a smarmy grin. Also quite impressive was the show's lead, Spencer Boyd, who as the detective Frank Cioffi committed fully to every bit he played. With excellent charm and an offhand manner that managed to feel quiet and conversational while still being loud enough to hear clear as a bell.

The supporting cast of Curtains maintained the same comedic, acting, and vocal strength. As the show's monetary-minded producer Carmen, Hannah Sikora completely owned her character's broad physicality, and played an older age naturally and seamlessly. Katie Rogers and Madelyn Ingram, playing the actresses Georgia Hendricks and Niki Harris respectively, were both vocally strong, with a rare combination of focus and energy in their dance numbers. Though energy during musical numbers was an occasional issue for some, the cast overall was committed and focused, working as a dynamic group. Cast synchronization was of particular note in the number "He Did It", in which cast members switched on and off flashlights in an otherwise dark stage through the pattern and lyrics of the song, giving a spooky feel to the scene and creating an eye-catching visual picture.

The show's set, designed by Jon Rice, Julian Mahan Kunzin, and Nicky Solares, brought the audience completely into the world of both the play and the play within the play. The "unfinished" sides of the set facing away from the imaginary audience were labelled with the scenes of the Robbin' Hood play they were featured in, and were shifted seamlessly by the show's stage crew. Costuming was also a strong world-building addition. Despite a few anachronistic pieces, the costumes overall worked very well to delineate Robbin' Hood attire from the actors' rehearsal clothes, and fit each character's personality. Though fuzzy microphones could be a problem at times, the cast compensated with projection and character commitment.

With the comic strength of a cast who could strut right onto Saturday Night Live after their final bows, Robinson's smart and spooky production of Curtains left its audience in stitches.

Kaitlyn Lunardi
Lake Braddock Secondary School
Submitted for publication to Connection

The leading lady drops dead on the stage on the opening night of "Robbin' Hood of the Old West." The entire cast hurrahs her fortunate passing, but not before a theatre-loving lieutenant quarantines the theatre! A whimsical, musical pursuit to find the killer ensues in this show-within-a-show in Robinson Secondary School's hilarious performance of "Curtains."

Based on a concept from Peter Stone's original novel, "Curtains" is set in a 1950s theatre in Boston. A lack-luster production has just finished its opening night only to receive horrendous reviews followed by the news that their lead, Jessica Cranshaw, is dead. The cast celebrates the untalented, obnoxious actress's death as Lieutenant Frank Cioffi forbids the entire production team to leave. The detective reveals that Cranshaw was murdered and everyone is a suspect, but also divulges his love for theatre. Cioffi races to find the killer and save the horrible show before they re-open the following evening.

Robinson's performance was the perfect combination of comedic timing, beautiful vocals, and an intricately unusual set. The energy that buzzed in the air through each scene was exceptional and kept the audience hooked on every twist and turn. With such well-executed performances and tech work all around, the complex, confusing show was made clear and uproarious.

Spencer Boyd's sidesplitting performance as Lt. Frank Cioffi carried the show. He executed all of his lines in a manner almost brilliantly indescribable and he developed a stage presence that made the audience chuckle with each step he took (especially in his dance numbers). The way Boyd gave such an even and well-paced flow to the performance through each of his scenes only stresses the talent he possesses. His chemistry with Madelyn Ingram, who played the sweet, talented Niki Harris, was undeniable and a pleasure to watch.

No show is truly complete without a flamboyant, British director, however, as Jamie Green made evident with his incomparable performance as Christopher Belling. Green's snide, witty remarks and comical presence throughout seemed to only better the performances of everyone around him. Katie Rogers' strong, pure vocals as Georgia Hendricks and Chloe Gilfoil's adorable dancing as Bambi Bérnet also brought the level of the show up a few notches.

The exemplary use of set pieces and Robinson's own theatre ought to be commended. The authentic feel of the backstage area in combination with the beautifully painted backdrops and set pieces was a highlight of the performance. Well-placed and elaborate props, including guns, smoking cigarettes, and realistic death threat notes added another layer of skill to the show.

It can be difficult to tackle a script with such precisely timed humor, but Robinson Secondary School's energetic and hysterical production of "Curtains" is, without a doubt, "A Tough Act to Follow!"

Meghan Henry
Herndon High School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

The terrible, off-key lead dies after her opening show. It's assumed she died from natural causes – until an inspector waltzes into the theater to conduct a homicide investigation. As more people die, the question remains: whodunit? Solve the mystery with Robinson Secondary School's production of Curtains.

Curtains was based off the book written by Peter Stone, and put into musical format by Rupert Holmes. The production opened in Los Angeles on July 25, 2006, and after mixed reviews, Holmes decided to take the production to Broadway. After making a few adjustments to the score and to the play, it opened on Broadway in June of 2007, and won 8 Tony nominations.

Robinson's take on Curtains was original and creative. Lights, costumes, and the ensemble gave hype to the storyline. Some of the actors added their own personal flair to their character, and gave new dynamics to the script and songs. All were vocally strong, and overall, the musical was well paced, creating an enjoyable experience for the entire audience.

Lieutenant Frank Cioffi is the homicide detector that is sent to investigate the mystery of the company's first murder, Jessica Cranshaw. Spencer Boyd instilled within his character, a sweet, awkward, adorable man who doubled as a show director and a homicide investigator. Comic lines were well timed with the other actors, and his chemistry with his love, Nicki Harris (Madelyn Ingram), felt natural and easy. While his character, Cioffi, is eventually accepted within the company and made one of their own, Boyd was already an integral part of Robinson's theater department, and maintains his style of acting with ease and confidence.

Each actor or actress created a character of their own, portraying them by the script and then adding their own flair. Cameron Bernstein, played by Hannah Sikora, strengthened her character through her vocals and deliberately cold attitude. The director of the show, Christopher Belling (Jamie Green), was one of the noted comedic actors through the night, staying constantly in character. Bobby Pepper, played by Elijah King, showed off his grace and style in the choreography of his dances. His dance chemistry with partner, Bambi Bérnet (Chloe Gilfoil), showed a lovely, well-timed routine that was well practiced and executed gracefully.

Lighting was very diverse, changing as each scene changed within the show. The use of gels showed varying effects of pink, purple, and blue, and highlighted the mood of each scene. Costumes, created by Hailey Parker-Combes and Katheryn Ide, fit each character well and ranged over many different styles. The ensemble's energetic acting highlighted the building drama of the murder-mystery. The Orchestra, directed by Mr. Eric Hoang, was always in tune and played very well under the actors' lines and lyrics, even when their microphones weren't working.

Through deductive reasoning and some minor fumbles, the inspector manages to solve the mystery, get the girl, and close the best production of Robbin' Hood of the Old West in just under 3 hours! Robinson's production of Curtains was a well-executed, enjoyable musical.