Loves Labors Lost
at Mission Viejo High School

Reviewed on December 6, 2013

Yamini Nambimadom
University High School
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Cappies review: "Loves Labors Lost"

Mission's "Love's Labour's Lost" Lights the Stage

By YAMINI NAMBIMDOM
For the Orange County Register

Yamini Nambimadom is a Sophomore at University High School in Irvine.



When four scholars' studies are interrupted by the visit of the Princess of France and her ladies, they embark on a short-lived but unforgettable adventure. Tackling the Shakespearean comedy in sweater vests and ponchos, Mission Viejo High School puts a 1960's spin on "Love's Labour's Lost."

One of Shakespeare's lesser known works, the play tells of King Ferdinand and his three lords, who swear to study while staying away from the luxuries of food, sleep, and women. This proves a problem when the Princess of France and her ladies arrive, who with their charm and persuasion, tempt the men to break their oath.

Mission's adaptation addresses themes of love and death, all while keeping the audience laughing. The live band's jazz beats set the tone for each scene. The set captures New Orleans's essence. Each character, with their own distinct charisma, brings liveliness to the production.

Clad in a letterman cardigan, King Ferdinand's (Sebastien Kulmer-Firer) proud stature exudes authority. He smoothly transitions from humorous to serious, approaching his character with honesty. Kulmer-Firer's impressive southern accent is one of the few that remains consistent throughout. His second-in-command, Berowne (Nic Parsons), excellently executes romantic monologues with a powerful voice. Ferdinand and his men complement one another; their precise timing and ability to play off each other make for memorable comedic moments. The Princess of France (Courtney Mauss) is a powerhouse opposite them, dynamically transitioning from captivating tease to sensitive, mournful daughter.

Adriano de Armado (Jason Marrs), a mustachioed Spaniard, provides comedic relief, cleverly responding to his fellow actors and the audience. Marrs accentuates Armado's outrageous personality with bold gestures, frequently flailing his arms and throwing himself on Jaquenetta. Costard (Joseph Cowdrey), the village idiot, stumbles onstage with crass mannerisms and expressions. Cowdrey's remarkable commitment to the character produces a notable performance. The princess's advisor, Boyet (Jeremy Sanchez), joyfully bounces on stage with appropriate flamboyance. His singsongy voice restores spirit to otherwise low-energy scenes.

The set construction is beautifully executed. The metallic overlay and textured trees provide depth, and the vine-covered trellis and rope swing give the set a romantic feel, reminiscent of a 1960's plantation. The props (Megan Cunningham, Meghen Van Doleweerd), particularly the signs and letters, accentuate the actors' performance.

Mission Viejo High School's production of Love's Labour's Lost puts a modern spin on a hilarious Shakespearean tale, capturing his poetry with the soul of the sixties.

David Shadman
Tesoro
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Cappies review: "Loves Labors Lost"
Laughter is Found at Mission Viejo's "Love's Labor's Lost"

By DAVID SHADMAN
For the Orange County Register

David Shadman is a Senior at Tesoro High School in Las Flores.


Presenting deep Southern accents, a live band, and a fiery Spaniard is Mission Viejo High School's production of "Love's Labor's Lost" by William Shakespeare. Set in a plantation in New Orleans during the swinging sixties, Mission Viejo brings a lively twist to the classic tale with injected moments of singing and dancing with a three-man band upstage playing music from the era.

The story follows King Ferdinand (Sebastien Kulmer-Firer) and his three companions as they vow to devote themselves three years of study on a plantation, but more importantly, to not come near the company of any women. However, after the Princess of France (Courtney Mauss) and her ladies arrive, all of the men disregard their oath and slowly begin to fall in love one-by-one.

Sneering at the King and his far-fetched rules, Nic Parsons portrays the role of Berowne with a geek-like charm. At first chastising the men for falling in love with bitter teasing and a thick southern accent, Parsons displays an excellent dynamic to Berowne as he eventually finds himself stammering through his words to win the heart of Rosaline (Rachel Umana). Parsons' character shines the brightest as he leads the other men in professing their love to the ladies in the song "Fever", as he sings with a light, tenor voice, and dances in silhouetted darkness.

Courtney Mauss, playing the Princess of France, captures the noble elegance of the role as she speaks to the King with a formal politeness. Leading the other girls in a prank on the boys, Mauss displays the complexity of her role as she exhibits both the noble and loving aspects of the character. This is shown when she immediately transitions from a light-hearted girl falling in love, to a morally conflicted and mature princess when she receives tragic news at the end of the show.

Marching onto the stage with loud Spanish music being played by the band, Jason Marrs sweeps the audience's attention with a great physicality as Adriano de Armado, the proud yet insecure Spaniard. Stroking his mustache and outrageously laughing at the other characters on the stage, Marrs splits the sides of the audience as prances across the stage with a romantic flair.

Although it takes "labor", Mission Viejo proves that love is the greatest enhancer of life, and helps us find our true selves.

Dalton Young
Tesoro
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Cappies review: "Loves Labors Lost"
Love Labors on at Mission Viejo High School

By DALTON YOUNG
For Cappies Facebook

Dalton Young is a Senior at Tesoro High School in Las Flores.


Mission Viejo puts a twist on a Shakespeare classic, Love's Labor's Lost, with erratically comedic characters combined with live music that has the audience dancing in their seats.

Set on a plantation in 1960's New Orleans, the story follows a King and his companions as they take an oath to see no women while studying for three years. As the Princess of France arrives with her ladies, their oath falls through and they all secretly fall in love. When they each reveal their affection, they must decide for themselves if education is more important than this new found love.

The live band (Daniel Martz, Tristan Forseth, Trent Hughes) adds a delightful variation to the production with well-integrated and executed contemporary music that keeps the show upbeat and lighthearted.

The first to act upon his love is Berowne, played by Nic Parsons. With his southern accent, Parsons's dynamic character carries the show whether he is leading everyone on stage in the twist, hiding from his friends pretending to be a tree, or eating his love letter written to Rosaline (Rachel Umana). He balances the comedy and earnest feeling of the show perfectly in an outstanding performance.

Courtney Mauss leads the ladies throughout the show as the Princess of France. Walking with bold gait and head held high, Mauss emanates confidence as she teases the King (Sebastian Kulmer-Firer) and his friends. Her spirit stays strong as she pesters Boyet (Jeremy Sanchez) about the letters from the boys and even when she hears news of her fathers' death.

Providing excellent comedic timing is the Spaniard Adriano de Armado (Jason Marrs). Performing effectively with the band, Marrs' bold entrances paired with music heighten the humor of the show. He laughs with gusto as he flails around the stage proclaiming his love for Jaquenetta (Hailey Donahoe). His puffy shirt and even more puffed out chest along with his spanish accent add to his character, especially when fighting with Costard (Joseph Cowdrey) over his love or as a gladiator during their play within the play.

Musical numbers and choreography (Shannon Laude, Meghen Van Doleweerd) incorporated between the dialogue create a lively ambience among the scenes and get everyone on stage and in the audience singing and dancing along.

Mission Viejo High School's production recounts the crazy endeavors that accompany true love in an engaging and enjoyable tale.