Treasure Island
at Potomac Senior High School

Reviewed on April 25, 2015

Gavin Moore
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Prince William

In every child, there is a yearning for adventure and excitement, nourished by the incredible imagination of youth; no tale captures the nostalgic whimsy of childhood fable and fantasy like Treasure Island. In an enchanting production of Treasure Island, bolstered by commendable characterizations and buccaneering spirit, the talented cast and crew of Potomac Senior High School swept the audience away to embark on the treasure hunt of a lifetime.

Based on Robert Louis Stevenson's beloved novel and adapted by acclaimed playwright Ken Ludwig, Treasure Island follows the enthralling tale of Jim Hawkins, a fourteen-year-old boy who finds himself swept away into a world of pirates and parrots, treachery and treasure. The iconic coming-of-age story has enjoyed many adaptations, including numerous films and television series. The familiar fantasy follows Jim as he embarks on a journey with the infamous Long John Silver and an ensemble of swashbuckling pirates. On an epic adventure to find gold and treasure, Jim learns to question the blurred lines between good and evil, be wary of the duplicity of human nature, and gain knowledge and understanding of his own self.

Grace Gyamfi assumed the role of Jim Hawkins with commitment and zeal, using vocalizations and charming physicality to imbue her portrayal of the boy with a youthful and boisterous energy. Phillip Gregg portrayed the duplicitous, peg legged buccaneer Long John Silver with excellent energy and admirable characterization, magnificently meeting the challenge of depicting one of literature's most infamous pirates. Gregg was able to embody the pirate through commanding stage presence and a consistent Scottish accent, and marvelously explored the moral balance of his hero-villain character. Through his masterful use of a fake peg leg and crutch, Gregg successfully led the audience to believe that he was actually missing a leg. Gyamfi and Gregg showcased superb chemistry during their scenes together, believably portraying the relationship between the nefarious rogue and a young lad longing for adventure.

In addition to strong leads, several unique supporting actors stood out from the cast. Emmanuel Kikomi distinctively portrayed a jovial Squire Trelawney, a nobleman who arranges the voyage to the mysterious island. Kikomi's excellent comedic timing and antics on stage never failed to elicit laughter from the audience. The thuggish pirate, Black Dog, was played by Muhammad Taqi, whose gruff portrayal and strong character choices made his interactions with other characters a joy to watch. The show also featured a lot of skullduggery and a host of swashbuckling characters, adding to the rough and roguish ensemble nature of the show. These unscrupulous pirates remained committed not only to their characters, but to their relationships with each other, always working together as a seamless and cohesive unit.

The production was assisted by a number of well-executed technical aspects. The appearance of the many pirates in the show was enhanced by exquisitely designed and thoughtfully applied make-up. Scene changes were always swift and never broke the all-important flow of the story, and were skillfully executed by a dedicated stage crew. Lighting for the performance was kept simple, never detracting from the actions and adventures onstage, and despite minor hiccups in sound cues, there were few issues with the numerous mics employed during the show.

Strengthened by delightful performances, infectious energy and quality technical aspects, the cast and crew of Potomac Senior High School triumphantly delivered a fantastic production of treasure, romance and magic, encouraging audience members to climb aboard to relive the whimsy of youth and embark on a fantastical quest on the tropical seas.

Kristen Popham
Chantilly High School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Prince William

A quintessential pirate story is comprised of several imperative elements: passionate combat, unfaltering ambition, ruthless betrayal, and glorious treasure. With the unique additive of a heartwarming relationship between young boy and experienced marauder of the seas, Potomac Senior High School's "Treasure Island" delivered the authenticity of such pirate tales, and so much more.

"Treasure Island," adapted by Ken Ludwig from Robert Louis Stevenson's renowned 1883 novel of the same name, is a genuine coming-of-age story about a 14-year-old boy, Jim Hawkins, whose juvenescent drive for adventure, supplemented by the possession of a treasure map, prompts an exploration of a lifetime. His encounter with pirate, Long John Silver, allows for the development of a risky escapade that explores such themes as ambiguous morality, the controversial necessity of wealth, and the importance of loyalty.

Potomac Senior High School's production was charming, with a jovial ensemble and committed leads who brought life to a complex story. Whether portraying pirates falling into the metaphorical depths of the sea or getting unusually angered over a game of cards, the actors displayed a genuine sense of fun whilst performing.

Grace Gyamfi, depicting Jim Hawkins, brought a sincere, youthful charisma and a commendable presence to her performance. While some actors struggled with diction, she generally maintained both articulation and energy. Also noteworthy was her ability to portray a male without unnecessary or stereotypical additions, producing a more candid and relatable characterization. Her chemistry with Phillip Gregg's Long John Silver was especially memorable, as both actors remained devoted to their stories and balanced comedy with sincerity during their interactions. Phillip Gregg's portrayal stood alone, however, as his sustaining of a challenging accent and complicated one-legged physicality displayed an admirable embodiment of his role.

Also notable for their contributions were Emmanuel Kikoni as Squire Trelawney and Muhammad Taqi as Black Dog. Their unfailing dedication to their characters allowed them to enliven and mobilize their counterparts in all scenes. Kikoni's personification of sassiness and Taqi's perpetual attempt at leadership were on display throughout the production.

The technical aspects of the show provided an adventurous and story-like feel, but did not overshadow the actors' contributions. One of the most important set pieces was a well-constructed ship interior, which was simplistic, yet attractive and utilized fully by the cast. The costumes and makeup embodied the setting appropriately, and allowed for a familiar illustration of The Pirate, recognized by audiences everywhere.

In "Treasure Island," Jim Hawkins's innately trusting personality seems a weakness, but is ultimately what makes his relationship with Long John Silver so authentic and touching. Perhaps all audiences can learn from Hawkins's youthful confidence in others, dauntless hunger for exploration, and the lessons he gleaned from his adventures: sometimes the antagonists are not easy to spot, and the bad guys may not be so bad after all.

Joey Ledonio
Bishop Ireton High School
Submitted for publication to Prince William Times

What pirate's tale is complete without one-legged mariners, treasure maps, and the Jolly Roger? Skullduggery and gold-digging on the high seas come alive in Potomac Senior High School's daring rendition of Treasure Island.

Treasure Island is based on the classic 1883 adventure novel of the same name by the Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson. Following the coming-of-age adventure of a young Jim Hawkins, Treasure Island focuses on the themes of morality and maturity against the backdrop of maritime escapades. Additionally, the impact of Stevenson's novel on the modern perception of pirates is unparalleled; almost every classic element of the pirate narrative can be traced back to this tale of buccaneers and buried gold. In Ken Ludwig's theatrical adaptation of this well-loved story, Stevenson's novel is reimagined to explore the characters and their relationships in a visceral and relatable way.

In a case of gender-blind casting, Grace Gyamfi tackled the role of Jim Hawkins with charismatic ease. With a clear voice and youthful energy, Gyamfi served as both protagonist and narrator to admirable effect. Her biting line delivery and steadfast assuredness allowed her to convincingly portray a brave boy on a voyage across the seven seas. Phillip Gregg also provided a solid performance as Captain Long John Silver, a salty sea dog with dubious morals. Gregg's definitive cadence never once lost its bouncy appeal. Gregg anchored this production with his dedicated physicality as he donned a classic pirate's peg leg, sauntering about the stage with the confident air of a skilled pirate. Both Gyamfi and Gregg shared an exciting and committed chemistry, allowing their stirring synergy to propel this production forward.

Although some lines were lost due to spotty diction or heavy accents, Emmanuel Kikoni as Squire Trelawney never failed to be heard. Whether he was crooning a jaunty tune or delivering a sassy line, Kikoni stood at the top of the supporting ensemble. Colorful characters also bolstered this production, though at times their energy seemed to drop. Jonathan Ferreira, however, never once faltered in his portrayal of Ben Gunn, a marooned sailer with an obsessional craving for cheese. To this otherwise serious tale, Ferreira provided a campy humor that had the audience giggling.

Finally, this nautical world of deceit and intrigue was shaped by nicely crafted technical aspects. Various floor and body mics were used to successfully amplify most of the actors' swashbuckling speech while carefully timed gun shots and pirate-themed music provided a seafaring ambience. Make-up was used effectively to produce five o'clock shadow on most of the greedy pirates, transforming many female performers into fearsome seamen. A large spotlight representing the moon and brightly lit areas of the stage rounded out the effective tech on display on Saturday night.

From its explosive beginning to its satisfying end, this tale of a boy's journey to maturity successfully entertained the audience in attendance at Potomac Senior High School's Treasure Island.

Abby Giuseppe
Bishop Ireton High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com - PWC/FQ

The swashbuckling adventures of a young boy and a band of dastardly pirates in search of a hidden treasure are brought to exciting life in Potomac Senior High School's enthusiastic production of Treasure Island.

Based on the classic novel by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson, this thrilling stage adaptation by Ken Ludwig focuses on the heart of the original story and brings the touching emotions of the tale to the surface. The story itself focuses on the exploits of a young boy, Jim Hawkins, as he sets out with a pirate crew to seek the treasure of a lifetime and possibly discover more about the disappearance of his father and the notorious Captain Flint.

Grace Gyamfi brought new life to the role of Jim with incredible energy and commitment to her character. Although she was a female playing a traditionally male role, she stepped into the part of a young boy with seamless grace and brought a young and exuberant nature to Jim, acting with a feisty personality and a blunt charm. Another notable performance was that of Phillip Gregg as Long John Silver. His accent throughout the entire show was consistent and believable while his nonchalant attitude suited his role well. Additionally, his peg leg didn't impede his physicality, but actually brought further realism to his movements onstage.

Emmanuel Kikoni as Squire Trelawney was another delightful presence onstage. His commitment to character even in small moments was delightful and his sass and comedic wit cut through some of the more dramatic moments of the show. Additionally, his bursts of singing and lively dancing left the audience laughing and made him a favorite from the moment the curtain opened.

Although at times the cast's diction was a bit muffled, their energy was present throughout and kept the audience engaged. The ensemble of pirates worked as a cohesive unit that provided vitality to every scene they were in and added spirit to the action onstage. The lighting in the show was bright and kept the actors visible in every moment, making it a noteworthy aspect of the technical side of the show. The set was also quite nice, especially the pirate ship that gave the cast more space for performing and allowed for fluid mobility in each scene.

With an energetic and committed cast, a humorous and intriguing story, and admirable technical elements, Potomac Senior High School's production of Treasure Island left the audience thoroughly entertained and provided a night of adventure and swashbuckling fun.

Angelica Miguel
Bishop Ireton High School
Submitted for publication to The Roar

Thirsty for action, adventure and the journey of a lifetime? Walk the plank over to Potomac Senior High School's Production of Ken Ludwig's Treasure Island!

Adapted for the stage from the original novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, the tale follows a young fourteen year old boy by the name of Jim Hawkins. Hawkins stumbles upon the coveted map that leads to the Isle of Treasure. Hawkins, along with Dr. Livesy, Squire Trelawney, Long John Silver and his crew, embarks on an incredible quest. Filled with drama, action, and a little bit of laughter, Potomac Senior's production fully encapsulated the audacious spirit of this beloved tale.

The production was highly entertaining because of the actors' strong commitment to their characters, the cohesiveness of the ensemble, and the polish of the tactical fighting sequences. The role of Jim Hawkins was played by Grace Gyamfi. Gyamfi embodied the physicality of a fourteen year old boy splendidly. Leading the show, Gyamfi's commitment to her role was evidenced by the memorization of her long monologues, her exuberant physicality, and the accuracy of her British accent.

Another notable character was Long John Silver, played by Phillip Gregg. Gregg was cast perfectly as Long John Silver and portrayed the infamous pirate excellently, with his ragged tone and flawless handling of his peg leg. Gregg and Gyamfi had great chemistry, and their characters' connections to each other were consistent throughout the entire play.

Two audience favorites were Squire Trelawney (Emmanuel Kikoni) and Ben Gunn (Jonathan Ferreira). Kikoni charmed the audience with deft line deliveries and a positive spirit of adventure. Ferreira portrayed his character as a hilarious, kooky old man with an affinity for cheese, which kept the audience giggling every time he hopped onstage.

Another notable aspect of the show was the makeup: each pirate had a unique characteristic: their various beards and the rugged dirtiness on their faces which added depth to each ensemble member.

Overall, the cast and crew of Treasure Island successfully conveyed the daring, adventurous spirit of what it means to be a pirate and to be true to oneself no matter what!

Natasha Shukla
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Submitted for publication to The Roar

The promise of pearls the size of ostrich eggs and rubies as red as blood sounds almost too good to be true, but that's exactly what you'll find at Treasure Island—along with pirates, swordfights, and shipwrecked sailors. It's all hands on deck for Potomac Senior High School's production of Treasure Island!

The swash-buckling story of Treasure Island began as a novel written by Robert Louis Stevenson in 1883, but that was only the beginning of its voyage. It was then adapted into various different mediums including film, television, music, theatre, and even a video game. In 2002 Disney hopped aboard the Treasure Island ship with an animated film adaptation set in space, titled Treasure Planet. Throughout the years, Treasure Island has continued to be enjoyed by children and adults alike.

The story follows the adventures of young Jim Hawkins as he sets sail for Treasure Island, along with Captain Smollett and Squire Trelawney, who funded the expedition. Tagging along with them is a rag-tag band of sailors who make up the ship's crew, led by an elderly peg-legged pirate named Long John Silver. Silver and the crew grow restless and plan to take over the ship, steal the treasure map from Hawkins, and find the treasure for themselves. When the ship docks on the island, it's every man for himself.

Grace Gyamfi was exceptional as Jim Hawkins. Her stage presence was a mixture of naïvete and command, which contributed to the play's coming-of-age theme. Gyamfi's performance with Jonathan Ferreira, who played the marooned ex-sailor Ben Gunn, effortlessly captured the audience's attention with its abundant energy.

Jon Diaz's portrayal of the drunken sailor Billy Bones was absolutely magnetic, starting the show off with a powerful burst of energy. Emmanuel Kikoni's ability to play the comic relief was highlighted through his portrayal of Squire Trelawney. Phillip Gregg dived into the role of Long John Silver, maintaining his elderly persona throughout the show. The pirate Black Dog, played by Muhammad Taqi, brought rich anger and life to his scenes as a bitter follower of Silver.

The ensemble of pirates gave each scene an added level of dimension as well as energy. Members of the ensemble were always in character interacting with one another in a way that helped bring the show to life. Although some members of the cast were double- or triple-cast, they brought in new elements and traits to differentiate each new character they portrayed. However, some actors were not quite in touch with their characters, making it difficult for the audience to drop entirely into the world of Treasure Island.

The technical aspects of this show enhanced the performance by reinforcing the setting. Creative lighting displays signaled the time of day while well-built set pieces helped maintain the onstage atmosphere. Scene changes were quiet yet tastefully comical as members of the stage crew rearranged set pieces without being seen, seemingly bringing the scenery to life. At times there were some sound issues where the music or microphones were too loud and interfered with the flow of the performance, but the cast and crew handled it well. Overall, Potomac Senior High School's production of Treasure Island was an exciting taste of adventure for landlubbers like the rest of us.

Beka Eyob
Chantilly High School
Submitted for publication to The Roar

Potomac Senior High School's performance of Treasure Island was a rousing and compelling adventure tale that did a commendable job in living up to the title's legacy. The high energy and fast pace of the storytelling in general was heightened by skilled stage combat. An abundance of unique characters intertwined with each other to create an interesting, funny and enthralling rendition of the well-known play.

Treasure Island was originally an adventure novel written by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson, and was published in 1883. The novel was turned into a play by Ken Ludwig, making its world debut in 2007 at the Alley Theatre. The story follows a young boy by the name of Jim Hawkins as he sails on a ship in search of treasure. The themes of good vs. evil prevail throughout, and backstabbing pirates add an aura of imminent danger to the wholesome tale.

In this particular performance, Potomac Senior High School's director made the decision to give the role of Jim, a typically male role, to a female by the name of Grace Gymafi. Despite the non-traditional casting, Gymafi did an admirable job with the role, not overpowering the role with "pseudo-maleness", but creating an almost neutral behavior, which de-emphasized her gender and fit with her character's fourteen years. That, coupled with expert delivery of her lengthy monologues, created an enjoyable on-stage persona.

A shining light upon the stage was Emmanuel Kikoni, who played Squire Trelawney, the man who funded the voyage. Kikoni had great comedic timing and good dedication to the role. He stayed consistently in character, even when the audience's focus was not on him. He also served as much needed comedic relief in some of the more serious moments--a crowd favorite the whole way through.

Overall, Potomac Senior High School's performance of Treasure Island was a fun, enjoyable evening with compelling characters and a lively plot.

Ellie Milewski
Robert E. Lee High School
Submitted for publication to The Roar

On Saturday night, pirates paraded through the aisles of the auditorium at Potomac Senior High School during their production of Treasure Island. Originally a book by Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island follows the story of an adventurous young lad who finds himself chasing after treasure amdist a group of boisterous pirates. Potomac Senior High School took the audience on a fun journey and brought this beloved story to life through entertaining relationships, commendable acting, and fantastic commitment.

Grace Gyamfi performed the role of Jim Hawkins, the young boy who embarks on a voyage with the pirates. This role, traditionally played by a male, is extremely demanding and Gyamfi was able to execute this challenging part and bring energy to every scene she was in. She pulled off the role of playing a young boy well and impressively delivered countless long monologues with liveliness and ease. Gyamfi's co-lead, Phillip Gregg, portrayed the role of Long John Silver. Gregg was a highlight of the show; with strong character choices and consistent accent, he brought life to every scene he was in. Together, Gyamfi and Gregg created a dynamic and believable relationship, as interesting to watch as it was endearing.

A highlight of the show was Emmanuel Kikoni, who played the role of Squire Trelawney. From the moment he first stepped onto the stage, Kikoni's timing, physicality, and facial expressions drew chuckles from the crowd. Whenever he was on stage, Kikoni garnered attention with his engaging and lovable energy.

Though the show as a whole lacked energy during certain scenes, every actor on stage committed entirely to the role he or she was playing. The pirates were constantly running up and down the stage and auditorium yelling and grunting, emphasizing their rowdy characters. At other moments, characters would be frozen on stage while Gyamfi delivered a monologue, remaining still as a statue. As a whole, the actors all dedicated themselves to the performance of the show, making it thoroughly enjoyable to watch. The theater department at Potomac Senior High School should be very pleased because they gave a "wonderarrrrrful" performance.