Misalliance
at Laguna Hills High School

Reviewed on November 8, 2013

Daniel Cueto
La Habra High School
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Cappies review: "Misalliance"
Make no mistake of ‘Misalliance' at Laguna Hills

By DANIEL CUETO
For the Orange County Register

Daniel Cueto is a Senior at La Habra High School in La Habra.



What do two families of varying social statuses do when foreign pilots crash land on their property, all while an unexpected visitor makes a surprise appearance at the estate? In Laguna Hills High School's production of ‘Misalliance' takes the audience on a two-act satirical whirlwind of courtship, love affairs and social politics.

In Edward Bernard Shaw's farcical ‘Misalliance' the Tarletons and Summerhayes families gather to discuss the alliance of Hypatia Tarleton of the bourgeoise Tarleton family and the aristocratic and vivacious Bentley Summerhayes of the ostentatious Summerhayes house. Throughout the day-long conversation, pilots Joey Percival and Polish flame Lina Szczepanowska arrive and shift the love connections, leading to engagements after engagements between the two families.

The vibrant cast tackles this show with aplomb and commitment, maintaining clear diction and consistent and truthful Southern British accents all while keeping to their genial and aristocratic personas.

As Hypatia Tarleton, Abby Buckels exhibits thoughtful character development, progressing from the faithfully naive fiancé to Bentley Summerhayes to eventually fall head over heels with Joey Percival. The juxtaposition of her respectful treatment of her betrothed to her youthfully flirtatious energy towards Percival makes her an appealing and captivating member of the family.

Hypatia's rambunctious father, Mr. John Tarleton is played by the talented Anthony Kairouz, a true crowd pleaser as he commands the stage as the day's flirtatious host. His character's age does not stop him from pursuing his youthful romantic instincts as he saunters about the stage in his elderly limp, expressive facial expressions and playful winks to Miss Sceczepanowska.

Perfectly pairing with her vivacious husband, Mrs. Tarleton, is played by Jamie Enright. Enright's British accent is truthful to the play's location in southern England and character voice is true to her maternal and nurturing matriarchal persona.

Literally dropping from the sky, Johanna Alacron embodies the seductive vixen Lina Szeczepanowska. Her folded arms and solid gait convey strength and confidence while her mysterious and playful smirks and facial expressions make her a heartbreaker among the men.

Stage managers Reed Jones and Hannah Bozeman seamlessly call the technical cues promptly expediting the ever-transitioning morning to dusk light cues designed by Matt Attebury, Eli Buckels and Sarah Furman.

Bringing Shaw's complex and satirical comedy masterpiece to life, Laguna Hills' skilled technical crew and performers present Misalliance with truthfulness, professionality and skill.

Preston Fox
Irvine High School
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Cappies review: "Misalliance"
Adventure Drops Out of the Sky at Laguna Hills

By PRESTON FOX
For the Orange County Register

Preston Fox is a junior at Irvine High School in Irvine.



Through the powerful combination of hilarious interactions, commanding yet unique characters, and stellar technical aspects, Laguna Hills High School brings a classic and timely production of "Misalliance" back to life.

On a beautiful May afternoon in 1909, a plethora of events occur centered around the betrothal of Hypatia Tarleton and Bentley Summerhays. From the beginning, it is evident the two are not meant to be and this predicament gives way to numerous exchanges and altercations parodying the comical theme of women being the relentless pursuers and men the helplessly pursued in all manners of courtship.

Mrs. Tarleton (Jamie Enright) takes control of the stage with her commanding sense of lady-like regality. At one point Enright is calmly addressing the family with nurturing ease and maternal empathy and almost instantaneously, explodes with anger, altering her disposition completely, bringing things down to earth and taking control of the situation. Her unmatched sass and witty remarks are only heightened by her superb accent she flawlessly maintains throughout the entire play.

Mr. John Tarleton (Anthony Kairouz) truly encompasses a vast range of comedic interlude and expressions. Flaunting his ginormous stomach, Kairouz jiggles his belly from side to side as he careens across the stage, inserting his ridiculous ideas and small but comical innuendos. His superb comedic timing and reactions are unmatched as his rich, bellowing voice flows across the stage and constantly brings out the untainted humor present in the play.

Subtle yet hysterically outrageous, Bentely Summerhays (Ryan Batten) and Lina Szczepanowska (Johanna Alarcon) embody the comedic messages hidden throughout the work. Batten's character portrayal mimics the frail, dainty ignorance of intelligent aristocrats during the time, but his quick wit, comedic timing, and hilarious facial expressions reveal the dual nature of such a character. Likewise, Alarcon's independent and mysterious air she carries about her ripped riotous reactions from the other women as she embodies the new era for women, and her wonderful Polish accent only adds to her hilarious performance.

The set (Hannah Bozman) is beautifully crafted to create a very inclusive and intimate atmosphere, and combined with the masterful lighting (Matt Atteberry)which portrays the passage of time through the use of different intensities and hues of light, creates a very convincing and period May afternoon in 1909.

With all these aspects seamlessly sewn together, Laguna Hill's hilarious and memorable production of "Misalliance" is a smash hit.

Jason Marrs
Mission Viejo High School
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Cappies review: "Misalliance"
Laguna Hills Flys High With "Misalliance"

By JASON MARRS
For the OC CAPPIES Facebook.

Jason Marrs is a junior at Mission Viejo High School in Mission Viejo.


As the lights dawn on the Tarleton Conservatory, playful banter begins between two brothers, thrusting you into a fable frothy with Infidelity, feminine empowerment, and Socialist ideal. Strung together in a familial comedy of errors, Laguna Hills excels in their rendition of George Bernard Shaw's "Misalliance".

Misalliance centers itself on the marriage of eager Hypatia Tarleton to the emotionally underdeveloped aristocrat, Bentley Summerhays. However, when an aircraft careens into their conservatory, three new guests effectively kick the plot into a rabbit hole of inflammatory love, contentions of the past, and a distinct misalliance of all involved.

Anthony Kairouz carries his surplus of flesh haughtily as the witty John Tarleton. Brilliantly reacting to every character, Kairouz stays ever present in scenes, offering up hilarious witticisms along with ungainly sensuality. Abby Buckels as the bubbly and naive Hypatia is exceptional in her ability to show relation to individual characters, using facial movement and tone to exemplify disdain, or amour. Jamie Enright waddles her motherly caboose in either excited concern or merry composure as the exceptional Mrs. Tarleton. With her melodious British accent and unwavering comic timing, Enright is a standout. Jimmy Troy's gruff accent and wizened mannerisms lend well to the character of Lord Summerhays whose blithe chuckle brings joviality to his scenes.

Ryan Batten flings himself to the ground in squealing tantrums as Bentley Tarleton. Spasming with youthful energy, Batten portrays Bently with wide eyed confusion and sharp comedic timing. Conversely, the brusque and brutish Lina Szczepanowska is played with rough independence by Johanna Alarcon whose consistently curt Polish accent accentuates the hilarity. Dylan Lackey exemplifies outstanding character progression. Initially a Gun wielding, fright inducing foe, Lackey transforms the character of Gunner into a drunken, sobbing mess.

The set is well furnished with Edwardian pieces such as antique clocks, an outdoor trellis, and a large Turkish-bath. Costumes too, remained period with hefty dresses, Gentry level three piece suits, and classic aviation regalia. Taking place in a single day, the lighting cues remain constant, gradually shifting from noon to sundown. The makeup accentuates the ages of each character, being soft and light on the young Hypatia while vivid and dark on the older Mrs. Tarleton, even spreading to her wrinkled hands.

Whether it be the jolly presence of all involved, the striking individuality of characters, or the thinly veiled subtext, Laguna Hill's production of "Misalliance" lands safely in success.