White Christmas
at Cypress High School

Reviewed on December 13, 2014

Madison Roush
San Juan Hills High School
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Audiences Feel the Joy of the Season in Cypress's White Christmas

Cypress High School brings in the holiday spirit with their stage production of this iconic film. The show follows the friendship of Bob Wallace (Alex Ruiz) and Phil Davis (Aaron Ament) and their experiences during the Christmas of both 1944 and 1954. As show business partners, Wallace and Davis go to see the sisters of an old army pal perform and unexpectedly they all end up on a train to Pine Tree, Vermont for the holidays.

Ruiz brings the warmth of the home and family to the young soldiers during the song "White Christmas," through the tone of his voice. In contrast, the duo Rita and Rhoda (Tori Lentini and Melissa Hernandez) portray the obnoxious best friends through their balance of comedic timing and high-pitched vocalization. Similarly Martha Watson (Noah Sanders) gives a sassy and snappy performance through her comedic glances and gestures. In the song, "Let Me Sing, I'm Happy" Sanders reveals her inner diva with her brassy voice and confident strides. Susan Waverly (Rebecca Overturf) gives a stellar performance through her prance-like walk and sweet-sounding voice. The ensemble brings similar energy through their eager faces and quick movements throughout the show.

Tiffany Norris brings the music to life through her choreography in both "Blue Skies" and "I Love a Piano." In both numbers her tap choreography gives the big band and Broadway style of the 1950s and 1940s. Her excellent tapping as Misty gives the audience a picture of a true old-fashioned chorus girl. Also Norris's costume design for both numbers tie in the theme of the song with subtlety and style through the hem of the dresses lined with piano keys and the other dresses in shades of blue. Grace Franco's use of bright colors in her make-up design for Rita and Rhoda emphasize the strong personalities of the duo as well as the time period. Franco also uses hues of baby pink and freckles to create a youthful look for Susan Waverly while emphasizing the character's sweetness. For set design and production, Sam Young creates a wintry feel for the song "Snow" through the blue of the train seats and the swirls of snow individually painted on each one.

Through the efforts and talent of both the cast and the crew, audiences both feel and see the joy of Christmas time in this heart-warming production.

Madison Roush
San Juan Hills High School
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Audiences Feel the Joy of the Season in Cypress's White Christmas

Cypress High School brings in the holiday spirit with their stage production of this iconic film. The show follows the friendship of Bob Wallace (Alex Ruiz) and Phil Davis (Aaron Ament) and their experiences during the Christmas of both 1944 and 1954. As show business partners, Wallace and Davis go to see the sisters of an old army pal perform and unexpectedly they all end up on a train to Pine Tree, Vermont for the holidays.

Ruiz brings the warmth of the home and family to the young soldiers during the song "White Christmas," through the tone of his voice. In contrast, the duo Rita and Rhoda (Tori Lentini and Melissa Hernandez) portray the obnoxious best friends through their balance of comedic timing and high-pitched vocalization. Similarly Martha Watson (Noah Sanders) gives a sassy and snappy performance through her comedic glances and gestures. In the song, "Let Me Sing, I'm Happy" Sanders reveals her inner diva with her brassy voice and confident strides. Susan Waverly (Rebecca Overturf) gives a stellar performance through her prance-like walk and sweet-sounding voice. The ensemble brings similar energy through their eager faces and quick movements throughout the show.

Tiffany Norris brings the music to life through her choreography in both "Blue Skies" and "I Love a Piano." In both numbers her tap choreography gives the big band and Broadway style of the 1950s and 1940s. Her excellent tapping as Misty gives the audience a picture of a true old-fashioned chorus girl. Also Norris's costume design for both numbers tie in the theme of the song with subtlety and style through the hem of the dresses lined with piano keys and the other dresses in shades of blue. Grace Franco's use of bright colors in her make-up design for Rita and Rhoda emphasize the strong personalities of the duo as well as the time period. Franco also uses hues of baby pink and freckles to create a youthful look for Susan Waverly while emphasizing the character's sweetness. For set design and production, Sam Young creates a wintry feel for the song "Snow" through the blue of the train seats and the swirls of snow individually painted on each one.

Through the efforts and talent of both the cast and the crew, audiences both feel and see the joy of Christmas time in this heart-warming production.

Katya Beener
Fullerton Union
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Cypress High School Brings a White Christmas to Southern California

In a cheery story of love and charity, Cypress High School gives life to a familiar holiday musical. The show opens with two successful World War II veterans, Bob Wallace and Phil Davis, performing a jolly musical number. Soon after, Phil convinces Bob to go watch two women performing at a night club. As the show progresses, characters fall in love, hearts are broken, plans are miscommunicated, and one major surprise at the end conveys the best attitude to have during the holiday season.

Alex Ruiz as Bob Wallace and Aaron Ament as Phil Davis fill the stage with their strong harmonies and peppy dance moves. Ruiz reveals the tenderness of his character in "White Christmas," with his powerful, yet smooth voice. Using his great range and intonation, Ament matches Ruiz's strength in "I Love a Piano." The two men provide great character foils, as Bob is conservative and reserved and Phil is outgoing and confident. Ruiz and Ament do a phenomenal job of communicating this relationship and these traits to the audience.

Tori Lentini as Rita and Melissa Hernandez as Rhoda demand the audience's attention with their screechy voices and over the top gestures. These two create a dynamic duo and add humorous moments. From the moment Mahmood Jeewa storms on stage as Mike, yelling and screaming at the top of his lungs, he also captivates the audience and provides comedic relief.

Some other standouts include Noah Sanders as Martha and Tiffany Norris as Mitsy. Sanders provides incredible stage presence and commitment to her character. She becomes one of the strongest vocalists and also creates an extremely natural, compelling persona. Although not taking a speaking role, Norris is still able to shine on stage through her flawless execution of complicated choreography and ecstatic facial expressions.

The ensemble as a whole exhibits fantastic energy and characterization. Even when not being the center of attention, every member stays in character and relates to others on stage. Although occasionally their stage business becomes distracting, the ensemble fills their space and even makes up for minor technical difficulties.

The hair and makeup, designed by Grace Franco remains accurate to the time period and aids in establishing setting and age of characters.

The cast and crew of Cypress High school captures hearts and leaves the audience counting their blessings with this truly remarkable production.

Katya Beener
Fullerton Union
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Cypress High School Brings a White Christmas to Southern California

In a cheery story of love and charity, Cypress High School gives life to a familiar holiday musical. The show opens with two successful World War II veterans, Bob Wallace and Phil Davis, performing a jolly musical number. Soon after, Phil convinces Bob to go watch two women performing at a night club. As the show progresses, characters fall in love, hearts are broken, plans are miscommunicated, and one major surprise at the end conveys the best attitude to have during the holiday season.

Alex Ruiz as Bob Wallace and Aaron Ament as Phil Davis fill the stage with their strong harmonies and peppy dance moves. Ruiz reveals the tenderness of his character in "White Christmas," with his powerful, yet smooth voice. Using his great range and intonation, Ament matches Ruiz's strength in "I Love a Piano." The two men provide great character foils, as Bob is conservative and reserved and Phil is outgoing and confident. Ruiz and Ament do a phenomenal job of communicating this relationship and these traits to the audience.

Tori Lentini as Rita and Melissa Hernandez as Rhoda demand the audience's attention with their screechy voices and over the top gestures. These two create a dynamic duo and add humorous moments. From the moment Mahmood Jeewa storms on stage as Mike, yelling and screaming at the top of his lungs, he also captivates the audience and provides comedic relief.

Some other standouts include Noah Sanders as Martha and Tiffany Norris as Mitsy. Sanders provides incredible stage presence and commitment to her character. She becomes one of the strongest vocalists and also creates an extremely natural, compelling persona. Although not taking a speaking role, Norris is still able to shine on stage through her flawless execution of complicated choreography and ecstatic facial expressions.

The ensemble as a whole exhibits fantastic energy and characterization. Even when not being the center of attention, every member stays in character and relates to others on stage. Although occasionally their stage business becomes distracting, the ensemble fills their space and even makes up for minor technical difficulties.

The hair and makeup, designed by Grace Franco remains accurate to the time period and aids in establishing setting and age of characters.

The cast and crew of Cypress High school captures hearts and leaves the audience counting their blessings with this truly remarkable production.

Megan McCarthy
University High School
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Cypress Wishes All Happy Holidays with "White Christmas"

Christmas time: family, love, cheer, good will, and, of course, snowfall. Cypress High School's production of "White Christmas" celebrates the spirit of the holiday and teaches all that togetherness at Christmas time is what that truly matters.

Alex Ruiz (Bob Wallace) and Aaron Ament (Phil Davis) sing the first tune of the show, "Happy Holidays", to the troops in blended harmony with open vowels and forward lively tones, highlighting their characters' excitement for the holidays and experience in show business. Ruiz follows the upbeat number with a strong ringing tone in the "White Christmas", matching mood of the soldiers, pondering their memories and looking longingly for home.

Tiffany Norris' costumes for Ruiz and Ament involve gray and tan suits, respectively, effectively representing the era of the time period and the men's dapper styles. The men's love interests' outfits, Amanda Jenkins (Betty Haynes) in a soft pink dress and Sam Young (Judy Haynes) in a light green dress, are era appropriate. With conservative necklines and hemlines at the calf, their dresses represent the sophistication and maturity of the 1950s but the shades of the dresses add a pop of color onstage.

Tori Lentini (Rita) and Melissa Hernandez (Rhoda) juxtapose the love interests after a long dance number when they rush up to Phil, swaying their hips and draping their arms around him in a flirtatious manner, while chattering nasally and high-pitched in the ditzy obnoxious manner of their characters. Mahmood Jeewa's (Mike) loud strained yelling and frantic running as the crazed, stressed stage manager foils with Simon Hanna's (Ezekiel Foster) slow moving saunter and dragging calm speech when the show has only moments before it is to start.

Tiffany Norris' tap dance during "I Love A Piano" energizes the stage with her strong lines, sharply executed movements, and bright smiling, showing her enthusiasm for the number that the chorus performs in. Her choreography in the same number simply yet clearly fits with the lyrics. As the ensemble members pretend to plunk the keys of the instruments with shining smiles, they exuberate an excitement that fits with the high–spirited song.

Cypress High School's company comes together in both their acting and technical elements with an excitement for their production as they all wish: "May your days be merry and bright, and may all your Christmases be white."

Megan McCarthy
University High School
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Cypress Wishes All Happy Holidays with "White Christmas"

Christmas time: family, love, cheer, good will, and, of course, snowfall. Cypress High School's production of "White Christmas" celebrates the spirit of the holiday and teaches all that togetherness at Christmas time is what that truly matters.

Alex Ruiz (Bob Wallace) and Aaron Ament (Phil Davis) sing the first tune of the show, "Happy Holidays", to the troops in blended harmony with open vowels and forward lively tones, highlighting their characters' excitement for the holidays and experience in show business. Ruiz follows the upbeat number with a strong ringing tone in the "White Christmas", matching mood of the soldiers, pondering their memories and looking longingly for home.

Tiffany Norris' costumes for Ruiz and Ament involve gray and tan suits, respectively, effectively representing the era of the time period and the men's dapper styles. The men's love interests' outfits, Amanda Jenkins (Betty Haynes) in a soft pink dress and Sam Young (Judy Haynes) in a light green dress, are era appropriate. With conservative necklines and hemlines at the calf, their dresses represent the sophistication and maturity of the 1950s but the shades of the dresses add a pop of color onstage.

Tori Lentini (Rita) and Melissa Hernandez (Rhoda) juxtapose the love interests after a long dance number when they rush up to Phil, swaying their hips and draping their arms around him in a flirtatious manner, while chattering nasally and high-pitched in the ditzy obnoxious manner of their characters. Mahmood Jeewa's (Mike) loud strained yelling and frantic running as the crazed, stressed stage manager foils with Simon Hanna's (Ezekiel Foster) slow moving saunter and dragging calm speech when the show has only moments before it is to start.

Tiffany Norris' tap dance during "I Love A Piano" energizes the stage with her strong lines, sharply executed movements, and bright smiling, showing her enthusiasm for the number that the chorus performs in. Her choreography in the same number simply yet clearly fits with the lyrics. As the ensemble members pretend to plunk the keys of the instruments with shining smiles, they exuberate an excitement that fits with the high–spirited song.

Cypress High School's company comes together in both their acting and technical elements with an excitement for their production as they all wish: "May your days be merry and bright, and may all your Christmases be white."