Dark of the Moon
at Washington Lee High School

Reviewed on April 29, 2016

Olivia Hunt
Langley High School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Alex/Arl

In a small town, everybody talks. But when your boyfriend's a witch, you're pregnant with his supernatural child, and the whole town is convinced you're damned to hell, it is a whole lot easier to be the subject of local gossip.

With electricity and fervor, Washington Lee High School took on "Dark of the Moon," a typically risky show that was executed with a unique flare. This haunting play, written by Howard Richardson and William Berney, was inspired by a centuries-old European folk song titled "The Ballad of Barbara Allen," and made its ten month-long Broadway debut in 1945.

This mystical story revolves around John, a witch boy who has fallen hopelessly in love with, (gasp) a human. In bartering with Conjur Woman to transform him into a human so that he can live a mortal life on earth with his southern belle Barbara Allen, he receives much more than he had bargained for. Marked by lurking witches, country jives, and inevitable heartbreak, "Dark of the Moon" is a whirlwind of emotions from start to finish.

As a central character, Sam Burris as John lead the show with his impassioned demeanor and physical presence. He transitioned beautifully from a lovesick, admirable hero into an eventual heartless and apathetic creature. Equally notable was Maddie Petroskey as Barbara Allen, who exhibited heart wrenching emotions and boasted angelic vocals. Although the show was not a musical, music became fundamental to the plot and tone of the story. Numerous cast members played banjos, guitars, ukuleles, and fiddle, contributing to the aura of a small town in the Appalachian mountains, while rhythmic solo singers within the ensemble especially shined.

Another bright spot was Apollo Yong as the eccentric, flamboyant Preacher Haggler, who riled up his congregation preaching the wrath of God through "fire and brimstone."

Without the use of microphones, cast members successfully carried their voices across stage and in turn, created a greater level of intimacy with the audience. This feat must have been even more difficult since most actors spoke in southern accents. Although the set design was minimal, its simplicity proved versatile and allowed the juxtaposition of costumes between the dark, seductive witches and conservative, earthy tones of the townspeople to be even more dramatic.

Even with the intensity and high drama of the show, the cast still achieved much-needed bursts of laughter from the audience, especially through characters such as the sarcastic Uncle Smelicue, (Will LeHardy) and the young, feisty Edna Summey (Maddy Holladay).

This chilling play was a bold choice for Washington Lee, as it is now undertaken by far less high schools compared to previous decades. The choice definitely paid off, as the talented cast provided a distinct style to this provocative play.

Lily Habenstreit
Albert Einstein High School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Alex/Arl

Stories of forbidden love are some of the most classic tales seen throughout literature and drama of all eras. But when that love takes a magical twist and gets mixed up in religion, its themes become all the more complex and haunting, creating messages about isolation and tolerance relevant to all society. With deep character development and commitment, the company at Washington-Lee High School tackled such heavy themes excellently in their production of Dark of the Moon.

Dark of the Moon, written by Howard Richardson and William Berney, opened on Broadway in 1945 and has since created controversy in amateur settings due to its blatant address of mature material. Based on the folk song "The Ballad of Barbara Allen", the drama follows the story of a witch boy who wishes to become human after falling in love with a girl in a small Appalachian town. As the lovers fight against the disparaging community, they must learn to stay true, despite facing intolerance, in order to prevent dire consequences.

Leading the cast was Sam Burris as John, the witch boy. Burris' remarkable physicality and vocal shifts in transforming from a witch to a man instantly drew the audience into the fantastical world of the play. His development of the convoluted character was sympathetic, sincere, and captivating, creating a near-professional quality performance and driving the show's most essential, complex themes. Burris fostered stellar chemistry with Maddie Petroskey, who portrayed John's love interest, Barbara Allen, and the convincing romantic connection illustrated the true power of love in the face of adversity.

The leads were supported by a large, cohesive ensemble that established the quintessential small-town spirit and paralleling exclusionary, judgmental tone. Veronica Sirotic, in the role of Barbara's mother, was an especially strong force, staying devoted to her character and continuing difficult emotional investment throughout the show. As town leader Preacher Haggler, Apollo Yong helped the ensemble maintain high energy and carried them through the difficult show. The stand-outs of the cast were the Witches, who haunted John as he worked to become a human. The Witches used excellent physicality to develop their magical eeriness, and their incredible unity as an ensemble highlighted their force as a group. Their unwavering dedication to their frightening characters was crucial in maintaining the show's intrigue. As a whole, the cast developed the rural atmosphere through the performance of well-integrated folk songs, interesting additions that highlighted the shifting tones throughout the dramatic play.

The technical elements of the show all helped to further the creation of the play's dark, magical world. The costumes and lighting created a clear contrast between the town and the witches' home, establishing the disparity between them that lay the groundwork for the plot. The minimalist set and props were used creatively and effectively, and the innovative use of household objects in creating live sound effects contributed well to the show's aesthetic.

Through notable dramatic commitment, exceptional character development, and unique technical tactics, the company at Washington-Lee High School created an entrancing and impact filled production of the mature drama, Dark of the Moon.

Syona Ayyankeril
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com - ARL/MC/Mont/DC

"And so a witch and human gal, had conquered death eternal, and 'neath the darkness of the moon, their love's entwined forever." Both beautiful and haunting, these old mountain folk song lyrics detail a tragic tale of star-crossed lovers doomed by social barriers and otherworldly forces. Such is the premise of Washington Lee High School's riveting production of "Dark of the Moon."

Based on the folk song "The Ballad of Barbara Allen", "Dark of the Moon" was written by William Berney and George Richardson in 1942. It is set in the Appalachian Mountains and follows the story of John, a witch boy who falls in love with a human girl named Barbara. The Conjur Woman transforms John into a human, but only on the condition that he make Barbara his wife and that she be faithful to him for a year. Barbara and John are married, but their love ends in tragedy due to opposition from her entire hometown and a coven of witches determined to bring John back to the darkness.

Sam Burris led the production as John, demonstrating both physical and emotional versatility as he transformed effortlessly from soulless witch to love-struck human and back again. As a witch, he moved at sharp angles, added an eerie and unnatural air to his character's presence. His ability to quickly shift from aggressive and proud to vulnerable with fear created a wonderfully contrasting and sympathetic human quality that helped him to develop a crystal clear character arc. Opposite Burris, Maddie Petroskey shone as the lovely but lustful Barbara Allen, displaying great energy and emotional depth, as well as impressive vocal talent in a melancholy ballad detailing her ill-fated love affair. The honest and tender chemistry between the two actors was captivating and compelling, absolutely lighting up the stage and commanding attention.

The show was grounded by an ensemble of quirky and endearing personalities that never left the stage, but rather remained present and active in creating the environment of each scene. Standouts include Will LeHardy, who provided refreshing moments of comedic relief as Uncle Smelicue. As preacher Haggler, Apollo Yong was a driving force of energy, especially in large ensemble scenes such as the church revival. Also notable was the connected and dynamic ensemble of witches, working together perfectly to establish an air of enticing mystery and supernatural foreboding.

A unique feature of the show was the sound crew's use of on-stage sound effects, which enhanced the plot and created the mountain atmosphere. Each ensemble member was integrated, either playing a musical instrument or providing sound effects through the use of every day objects that fit into the world of the show, including an umbrella, which created the illusion of flapping wings.

With charismatic performances and purposeful, cohesive technical elements, "Dark of the Moon" was a thought-provoking production that raised questions about intolerance in our society and served as a powerful reminder that it is not only the "witches" of the world that have the capacity to be wicked.

Gillian Wright
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Insidenova - Sun Gazette

The story of two young lovers overcoming insurmountable boundaries to be together is oft-told and always touching. But when the boundaries have been crossed and underlying societal differences persist, relentlessly bent on driving the couple apart, how is a marriage to survive? Washington-Lee High School's profoundly riveting production of "Dark of the Moon" explored the intersection of love and prejudice in an intensely religious community.

The play, written by Howard Richardson and William Berney and published in 1945, takes place in a small town settled deep in Appalachia. When John, a witch-boy, falls in love with Barbara Allen, a human, he must enter a delicate compromise to rid himself of his occult background and pursue her. Meanwhile, Barbara faces acute social sanctioning when she becomes pregnant out of wedlock, and she is forced to seek immediate marriage. John's refusal to participate in a Christian wedding, however, strikes the townspeople as downright inhuman, initiating prolonged persecution of the couple. The play is based on the classic folk song "The Ballad of Barbara Allen," and Washington-Lee's production also incorporated several other originally composed, Appalachian-style tunes.

Leading the show as John, Sam Burris conveyed longing and ardor with incredible skill. Burris excellently reflected his character's transition from witch to human in his accentuated physicality; initially, his authoritative agility commanded awe and respect, but as he entered a foreign society, his stride became tentative and uncertain. The love between Burris and Barbara (Maddie Petroskey) was entirely genuine, developing palpable passion during their many shared moments. Petroskey masterfully portrayed a wide range of emotions, encompassing infatuation, joy, grief, and remorse; most memorable of all, though, was her enchanting voice, which was showcased when she sang "The Ballad of Barbara Allen."

Preacher Haggler (Apollo Yong) set the tone for the town in his instructions and empathetic encouragement. Yong's energetic performance enlivened the entire ensemble, which reflected his enthusiasm in their singing and animated interactions. A devout follower of Haggler, Mrs. Allen (Veronica Sirotic) performed compellingly as she struggled to support her daughter's marriage while protecting the family's faith.

Each member of the ensemble conveyed an individualized personality; yet during scenes featuring the entire cast, the actors morphed into a cohesive unit, establishing uniform levels of jubilance, religious fervency, or condemnation. Uncle Smelicue (Will LeHardy) was especially notable for his comedic disposition, while Edna Summey (Maddy Holladay) was remarkable in her portrayal of an insolent teenager. A troupe of seductive witches employed rhythmic movement and enchanting demeanor as they tempted John back to sorcery.

A minimalist set consisting of stairs and platforms of several heights spread the action across the stage, though unfortunately the outer edges of the stage were too dimly lit for interactions there to be appreciated. Authentic props impressively enhanced the performance, many of which were used to produce creative sound effects. Congruous costumes and brilliant hair and makeup designs distinguished between drab townspeople and entrancing witches.

When seeking a play concerning a love story in a gossipy village with a thought-provoking conclusion, many schools turn to the classic "Our Town." Washington-Lee defied precedent by producing an equally poignant show with bolder subject matter and a more distinctive setting, but "Dark Side of the Moon" was an indelible success, thanks to wondrous folk music, mystical movements, and compelling acting.