The Diviners
at Tri-School

Reviewed on February 6, 2014

NameSchoolPublication/Broadcasts
University High School
Orange County Register
University High School
Orange County Register
SOCSA Dana Hills
Orange County Register
SOCSA Dana Hills
Orange County Register
University High School
OC Cappies Facebook
University High School
OC Cappies Facebook



Alex Kramer
University High School

Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Feels like Rain at Tri-School

Some people are gifted, they are talented, intelligent, or beautiful. But Buddy Layman has the gift of finding water during the 1930s dustbowl. In The Diviners, produced by Tri-School theater, Buddy Layman and his family show the importance of finding the meaning in even the simplest things, like water, friendship and family.

The story follows CC Showers (Jonathan Saucedo), a retired reverend looking for work. CC encounters the Layman family, and befriends their son Buddy (Marco Gonzalez). Throughout the show, Gonzalez shifts his weight uneasily from left to right, wringing his hands and shaking his head, effectively giving his character a distracted, childlike character. Though Buddy seems somewhat sullen at times, Gonzalez bounces excitedly during more upbeat scenes, and his low, gurggling giggle is carefree and believable.

Buddy's young character is accented by his father's firm acting. Grant Hodges portrays Ferris Layman, Buddy's father. When Ferris and CC argue about Ferris's parenting, Hodges stands firmly planted. He throws his handkerchief down in anger and restrains his fists by his sides, spitting his words into CC's face. His clear diction and firm stance effectively portray him as a confident, though sometimes misguided, father figure.

To break up some of the more dramatic moments, Melvin Wilder (Brandon Martinez) and Dewey Maples (Jacob Bryant) contemplate the mysteries of dating. Whenever he is being lectured, be it about women or farm work, Bryant stands awkwardly with his toes pointed in, pulling on his sleeves, or with his hands in his pockets. His awkward, nervous, stance makes him an amusing, boyish figure with relatable naiveté.

In the ending sequence of the play occurs both above and below water. This technical challenge is handled with well timed sound and lighting cues. The gurggling sound of water begins to play as soon as the light switch. The microphones cut and the ensemble freezes, making the stage appear to be underwater. The rippling waves disappear as the sound cuts in, and the singing and screaming of the actors is heard instantly, just as briefly as a quick, biting breath of fresh air.

Tri-school presents a beautiful and heartwarming tale of family, friends and faith.

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Alex Kramer
University High School

Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Feels like Rain at Tri-School

Some people are gifted, they are talented, intelligent, or beautiful. But Buddy Layman has the gift of finding water during the 1930s dustbowl. In The Diviners, produced by Tri-School theater, Buddy Layman and his family show the importance of finding the meaning in even the simplest things, like water, friendship and family.

The story follows CC Showers (Jonathan Saucedo), a retired reverend looking for work. CC encounters the Layman family, and befriends their son Buddy (Marco Gonzalez). Throughout the show, Gonzalez shifts his weight uneasily from left to right, wringing his hands and shaking his head, effectively giving his character a distracted, childlike character. Though Buddy seems somewhat sullen at times, Gonzalez bounces excitedly during more upbeat scenes, and his low, gurggling giggle is carefree and believable.

Buddy's young character is accented by his father's firm acting. Grant Hodges portrays Ferris Layman, Buddy's father. When Ferris and CC argue about Ferris's parenting, Hodges stands firmly planted. He throws his handkerchief down in anger and restrains his fists by his sides, spitting his words into CC's face. His clear diction and firm stance effectively portray him as a confident, though sometimes misguided, father figure.

To break up some of the more dramatic moments, Melvin Wilder (Brandon Martinez) and Dewey Maples (Jacob Bryant) contemplate the mysteries of dating. Whenever he is being lectured, be it about women or farm work, Bryant stands awkwardly with his toes pointed in, pulling on his sleeves, or with his hands in his pockets. His awkward, nervous, stance makes him an amusing, boyish figure with relatable naiveté.

In the ending sequence of the play occurs both above and below water. This technical challenge is handled with well timed sound and lighting cues. The gurggling sound of water begins to play as soon as the light switch. The microphones cut and the ensemble freezes, making the stage appear to be underwater. The rippling waves disappear as the sound cuts in, and the singing and screaming of the actors is heard instantly, just as briefly as a quick, biting breath of fresh air.

Tri-school presents a beautiful and heartwarming tale of family, friends and faith.

^ top



Siena Brown
SOCSA Dana Hills

Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Tri-School Presents A Show That's Truly Divine

Tri-School's recent production of The Diviners begins at the end of a story, the funeral of a boy named Buddy Layman. The silhouetted figures of the townspeople frame the stage, softly humming a hymn, before the scene is illuminated, and a flashback of Buddy's last year blossoms.

The show is set in the middle years of the Great Depression, in the small rural town of Zion, Indiana. The set designers (Mohammad Qahoush and Leanna Kato) capture this time period through the simplicity of their set, featuring rocky hills and plains, a rickety-looking house, and a basic wooden bridge. All the sets are painted in various shades of brown and beige, reminiscent of the grimy backdrop naturally created during the 1930's Dust Bowl.

The actors bring luster to the show, particularly with Marco Gonzalez's shining performance as Buddy, a boy suffering from brain damage with a gift for finding water. Buddy's fear of water is consistent manifested throughout the play in the actor's fidgeting hands and shuffling feet, giving the character a sense of habitual excitement. His ever-present smile endears him to viewers, thus creating an unsettling atmosphere whenever he is upset.

Grant Hodges also stand out as Ferris, Buddy's well-meaning father. While quick to grin and tease in the comedic scenes, his somber grimaces and sharp, fiery jolts during his fight scenes help Hodges to form a character with a range of emotion that is not only broad, but believable. Juxtaposed with Ferris is C.C. Showers (Jonathan Saucedo), the charismatic ex-preacher who befriends and works for the Laymans. Saucedo uses a soft voice to add a gentle touch to his character, helping him to become the voice of reason in the play. However, when C.C. has a falling out with Ferris, Saucedo's actions are firm and precise, and his words have an edge to them, almost as though he's fighting to stifle his rage.

At its heart, The Diviners is a show about cycles: the cycle of water, the cycle of love, and the cycle of life. With an end that mirrors the beginning, the audience gets a chance to watch the actors add life to the darkened figures shown in the first scene, knowing that the end of any story can be the start of another.

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Siena Brown
SOCSA Dana Hills

Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Tri-School Presents A Show That's Truly Divine

Tri-School's recent production of The Diviners begins at the end of a story, the funeral of a boy named Buddy Layman. The silhouetted figures of the townspeople frame the stage, softly humming a hymn, before the scene is illuminated, and a flashback of Buddy's last year blossoms.

The show is set in the middle years of the Great Depression, in the small rural town of Zion, Indiana. The set designers (Mohammad Qahoush and Leanna Kato) capture this time period through the simplicity of their set, featuring rocky hills and plains, a rickety-looking house, and a basic wooden bridge. All the sets are painted in various shades of brown and beige, reminiscent of the grimy backdrop naturally created during the 1930's Dust Bowl.

The actors bring luster to the show, particularly with Marco Gonzalez's shining performance as Buddy, a boy suffering from brain damage with a gift for finding water. Buddy's fear of water is consistent manifested throughout the play in the actor's fidgeting hands and shuffling feet, giving the character a sense of habitual excitement. His ever-present smile endears him to viewers, thus creating an unsettling atmosphere whenever he is upset.

Grant Hodges also stand out as Ferris, Buddy's well-meaning father. While quick to grin and tease in the comedic scenes, his somber grimaces and sharp, fiery jolts during his fight scenes help Hodges to form a character with a range of emotion that is not only broad, but believable. Juxtaposed with Ferris is C.C. Showers (Jonathan Saucedo), the charismatic ex-preacher who befriends and works for the Laymans. Saucedo uses a soft voice to add a gentle touch to his character, helping him to become the voice of reason in the play. However, when C.C. has a falling out with Ferris, Saucedo's actions are firm and precise, and his words have an edge to them, almost as though he's fighting to stifle his rage.

At its heart, The Diviners is a show about cycles: the cycle of water, the cycle of love, and the cycle of life. With an end that mirrors the beginning, the audience gets a chance to watch the actors add life to the darkened figures shown in the first scene, knowing that the end of any story can be the start of another.

^ top



Megan McCarthy
University High School

Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Tragic Play Shines Divinely at Tri-School

The universal struggles of family and enigmatic questions of humanity are daunting subjects to many. Tri-School company's The Diviners displays these themes through the dynamic characters and skillful technical elements, reminding us we can find meaning even in the littlest things.

Buddy Layman (Marco Gonzalez), who suffers brain trauma from nearly drowning as a child, consistently portrays his character through his jittery arm movements and the pitter-patter of his feet as they shift his weight back and forth, effectively showcasing the extent of damage he has endured. Buddy is still able to freely think for himself, though, showing a great interest in birds animated through Gonzalez's widened eyes and innocent smile.

Buddy's father, Ferris (Grant Hodges), at first glance, appears relaxed yet very sure of himself. Hodges shows this character through the slight lean of his shoulders and firm steps, all the while maintaining an unwavering accent. However, when he talks about his late wife to CC Showers (Jonathan Saucedo), a silent swallow and inaudible sigh allows Ferris to mourn in his own manner while he tries to remain strong, showcasing this dynamic shift in character.

One of Buddy's main supporters is his sister: Jennie Mae (Hannah Butler). Although she sometimes uses stern inflection when disciplining him, showing her frustration at the difficultly her brother can cause, she ultimately cares greatly for him. Her soothing tone and soft stroking of his arms as she attempts to calm Buddy during the rainfall demonstrates just that.

The townspeople ensemble actively participates in the background of scenes but never distracts from the main action occurring. The entire cast fluidly transitions from line to line throughout the show, never allowing a dead beat of silence.

The set design (Mohammad Qahoush, Leanna Kato) effectively guides the stage action towards different parts of the town Zion, as it slightly arcs on the side to meet in middle where a slanted platform resides. During the tragic drowning sequence, sound aspects (Leanna Kato, Roman Curiel, Jackie Cutts) cue back and forth from all actor's sound equipment being on to create a sense of the confusion from many voices to the cutting out of all sound expect the rush and bubbling of water sound effect, as aqua lighting is shone on Buddy struggling.

The Diviners is an exquisite performance of dedication and heart, illustrating how even though they might be hidden, blessings are all around us.

^ top



Megan McCarthy
University High School

Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Tragic Play Shines Divinely at Tri-School

The universal struggles of family and enigmatic questions of humanity are daunting subjects to many. Tri-School company's The Diviners displays these themes through the dynamic characters and skillful technical elements, reminding us we can find meaning even in the littlest things.

Buddy Layman (Marco Gonzalez), who suffers brain trauma from nearly drowning as a child, consistently portrays his character through his jittery arm movements and the pitter-patter of his feet as they shift his weight back and forth, effectively showcasing the extent of damage he has endured. Buddy is still able to freely think for himself, though, showing a great interest in birds animated through Gonzalez's widened eyes and innocent smile.

Buddy's father, Ferris (Grant Hodges), at first glance, appears relaxed yet very sure of himself. Hodges shows this character through the slight lean of his shoulders and firm steps, all the while maintaining an unwavering accent. However, when he talks about his late wife to CC Showers (Jonathan Saucedo), a silent swallow and inaudible sigh allows Ferris to mourn in his own manner while he tries to remain strong, showcasing this dynamic shift in character.

One of Buddy's main supporters is his sister: Jennie Mae (Hannah Butler). Although she sometimes uses stern inflection when disciplining him, showing her frustration at the difficultly her brother can cause, she ultimately cares greatly for him. Her soothing tone and soft stroking of his arms as she attempts to calm Buddy during the rainfall demonstrates just that.

The townspeople ensemble actively participates in the background of scenes but never distracts from the main action occurring. The entire cast fluidly transitions from line to line throughout the show, never allowing a dead beat of silence.

The set design (Mohammad Qahoush, Leanna Kato) effectively guides the stage action towards different parts of the town Zion, as it slightly arcs on the side to meet in middle where a slanted platform resides. During the tragic drowning sequence, sound aspects (Leanna Kato, Roman Curiel, Jackie Cutts) cue back and forth from all actor's sound equipment being on to create a sense of the confusion from many voices to the cutting out of all sound expect the rush and bubbling of water sound effect, as aqua lighting is shone on Buddy struggling.

The Diviners is an exquisite performance of dedication and heart, illustrating how even though they might be hidden, blessings are all around us.

^ top