Get Smart
at J.E.B. Stuart High School

Reviewed on November 20, 2015

Hailey Scherer
Flint Hill School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Fairfax

Since the 1960s Maxwell Smart has vanquished villainy in his endearingly and hilariously maladroit manner, and did so once again on JEB Stuart High School's stage in their rendition of Get Smart. Watching the well-balanced cast and effective delivery of the satirical, comedic lines, the cast left the audience chuckling at the bumbling agents and cheering for the side of good after every scene.

Christopher Sergel wrote the play version of Get Smart in 1967, adapted from the pilot episode of the 1965 TV show written by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry. The play features the often-awkward-but-well-intentioned Agent 86, Maxwell Smart, and his cool-headed partner, Agent 99. They are members of CONTROL, a US intelligence agency, and fight various evils, often those of KAOS, the international organization of evil, led by Mr. Big. The play is principally a satire of the secret agent genre.

Sam Wirth (Maxwell Smart) delivered every line with near-perfect timing, inflection, tone, and accompanying flailing, karate-chopping, jumping, flexing, tripping, bumbling, and rolling that every overly enthusiastic superspy needs. Wirth set a lofty bar in terms of energy even in the first scene, and remarkably maintained and even increased his energy levels throughout the entire show. Wirth kept the stage alive and won laugh after laugh from the delighted audience, and, as a bonus, showed impressive dexterity when removing and replacing the famed shoe-phone from and on his foot.

Echo Celani Arnold (Agent 99) balanced Wirth's presence on stage excellently with a cool yet still quirky demeanor, driving the plot forward. She and Wirth interacted in a way that increased the dynamism of the scene, but the rapport between them was such that they created many "aww"-inspiring moments.

John Lesko (Chief) maintained a dependably strong presence in the show. With clear articulation and an overall, appropriately commanding demeanor, he attracted eyes anytime he was on stage. The fact that his tie became looser any time his character became more stressed in a scene is a great example of the level of detail achieved.

Elijah Williams (Mr. Big) has the silky voice and booming evil laugh belonging to the best of villains. Three of his cronies, the "Wongs"—Amy Andrade (Mary Wong), Natasha Oster (Shirley Wong), and Margie Greer (Betsy Wong)—demonstrated impressive and consistent athleticism, kicking and flipping and somersaulting around the stage while investigating high-risk situations. Angela Leersnyder (Miss Finch), while playing the secretary with the bugged bug pin, seemed more comfortable and natural in her role than is usually seen in high school students.

The stage crew efficiently and entertainingly changed scene to scene: they wore headlamps or carried flashlights and whirled them around in the dark while changing the set, giving the effect of roving searchlights. This, when coupled with the theme song music from the original TV show, infused the spy-themed mood even into the scene changes.

Maxwell Smart reminds us to show resilience in the face of failure and that the outcome can still be successful, even if there are some blunders along the way. The actors both portrayed these lessons very nicely through the storyline and seemed to embody these lessons themselves, when they persevered through unexpected technical difficulties and widespread difficulties with diction and volume. It was to the audience's great amusement and delight that Maxwell Smart saved the day just in time once again-- this time on the stage of JEB Stuart High School.

Cecily Wolfe
Flint Hill School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Fairfax

When one thinks of a secret agent, one usually thinks of someone skilled, clever, and in control. It was not so for the players at J.E.B. Stuart High School, who choose to tell the story of somewhat awkward and hilariously determined secret agent Maxwell Smart, hero of the play version of Get Smart.

Based on the 1960's television show written by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry, and adapted for the stage by Christopher Sergel, Get Smart begins with the group KAOS wreaking havoc, kidnapping blonds and stealing lethal inventions. In response, clumsy secret Agent 86, Maxwell Smart, must rely on the help of Chief, the charming Agent 99, and good luck in order to save the day.

J.E.B. Stuart High School's production of Get Smart adeptly brought the bumbling and over-exaggerated humor of Maxwell Smart and his crew to life, as actors and actresses rolled across the stage, tripped on their feet, or stiltedly (purposefully, of course) bluffed their way through life and death situations. Sam Wirth led the cast as the blundering Maxwell Smart, falling flat on his face, confidently shouting his ridiculous ideas, and shiftily, and quite obviously, creeping, strolling, or slouching his way across stage. Wirth sustained his energy and brought enthusiasm to his misguided but lovable role, whether he was flapping his arms wildly, staring openly at pretty women, or hiding in a trashcan. His subtle romance with Agent 99 (played by Echo Celani Arnold) was awkwardly endearing, what with them sharing a few uncertain yet flirtatious glances, touches on the arm, or glances throughout the show. Arnold's fresh interpretation of the Agent 99 created a somewhat excitable young woman whose worried pacing and high-pitched laughter showed both the emotional and comedic sides to her character, offering little clues that betrayed her often no-nonsense attitude and put-together appearance.

In addition, other actors and actresses served as both foils and complements to these lead roles. For example, John Lesko (Chief) served well as the serious contrast to the crazy Wirth; his furrowed brow and stern, commanding tone embodied the businesslike demeanor of a seasoned leader. On the other hand, Jackson Dillard (Agent 44) and Elijah Williams (Mr. Big, leader of KAOS) offered their different brands of comedy, with Dillard whining, moping, and shuffling across stage and Williams' employed suave, Elvis-like body language, repeatedly smoothing his "big" hair and sauntering across stage. Angela Leersnyder (Miss Finch), too, provided realism and intrigue through switches in her facial expression and stature from pretended boredom and shock, to surreptitious eavesdropping and excitement, to unconcealed outrage.

Just as the actors and actresses worked together to highlight comedic moments, so did aspects such as the lighting, sets, props, makeup, and sound highlight the cast as a whole. The lighting and sets were both largely minimalistic, but vibrant colors provided an effective background for rolling boxes that easily served as an office, a train station, hotel rooms, and a restaurant. The props were creative and well-made, in particular Maxwell's iconic shoe phone, and the makeup demonstrated a variety of ages and period styles, ranging from light and natural to almost neon shades of lipstick. Finally, sound effects, primarily ringing telephones, were on time and matched the actors' cues, allowing the show to run smoothly.

The cast and crew of J.E.B. Stuart High School truly came together to create an evening of laughter and mystery, as they slunk and somersaulted their way through their rendition of Get Smart.

Ward LeHardy
Washington Lee High School
Submitted for publication to FCPS Community News

Those who are old enough might remember sitting in front of a boxy TV set, giggling along to the amusing mishaps of Maxwell Smart from the iconic spy series Get Smart. At J.E.B. Stuart High School, this timeless television show is rejuvenated in their production of Get Smart.

Originally a television series created by famous comedy writer Mel Brooks and Oscar nominated Buck Henry, the show was a satirical secret agent comedy that couldn't keep audience members in their seats. It was adapted for the stage by Christopher Sergel, which in turn has the same effect. The play follows Maxwell Smart, a savvy yet waggish secret agent working for CONTROL, a top-secret organization within the US government. Their main target: KAOS, an international organization of evil.

Taking on such an iconic character as Maxwell Smart is no simple task, yet Sam Wirth played a great homage to the original. With cartoony reactions and bold comedic stunts, Wirth pushed the boundaries of what a high school production could be, going as far as ripping his pants off, putting the audience in hysterics. Likewise, Agent 99's character, as played by Echo Celani Arnold, bounces off Wirth's witty jabs with superb reactions and arguably wittier remarks, adding a quirky chemistry to the already dynamic duo. Other funny moments came from the trio of the Wong sisters, played by Amy Andrade, Natasha Oster, and Margie Greer. Though they played malicious characters, the audience couldn't stop laughing as the girls slid, tiptoed, and rolled their way on and off the stage.

The production's technical elements were a feat that far exceeded a typical high school setting. The set consisted of a few rotating columns, which were vital in driving the pace of the play between scenes. The lighting design, headed by Noah Taylor with help from Dixon Auch, beautifully filled the stage, giving the play both excitement and character. The use of a scrim in the background illuminated the set and enacted a mood that was dynamic and different for each scene. To accompany the witty dialogue, the sound design had to be punctual with just as much stress on comedic timing. Under the wings of Chris Wittkowski and Amber Yaqoob, the sound was weaved in between the dialogue beautifully, with the response of the audience's laughter trailing behind.

Get Smart had the audience chuckling until the very last blackout. An enduring catchphrase from the original TV series was that Maxwell Smart always "Missed it by THAT much." And J.E.B. Stuart's production did not at all miss, but hit the bull's eye with a humorous, clever, and "smart" performance.

Raquel Sequeira
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Submitted for publication to Patch.com - Fairfax

Shoe-phones, giant lasers, maniacally laughing villains, and a fight-scene climax of pants falling to the ground; this is the range of extremes that comprise Get Smart. JEB Stuart's production of the show let the audience allow themselves to be swept up into the humor and caricatures, as the cast grounded their performance in skillful timing and consistent energy.

The well-known characters and catch phrases of Get Smart first appeared as a comedy television series created by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry. The series put an exaggerated, satirical spin on the classic secret agent style. The success of the show led to its adaptation as four different films, as well as a play in 1967 based on the pilot episode of the show.

JEB Stuart's production of Get Smart brought out this much-loved style and comedy genre with commitment and spirit. This energy pervaded the entire cast, but especially emanated from Sam Wirth in the role of the title character, Maxwell Smart—undercover as Agent 86. From his first moments on stage, his expansive but controlled physical comedy filled the stage with life and laughter. His clear instinct for timing and movements made the character's iconic clumsy bravado feel natural. Whether ripping off his shoe to reveal it as a nifty shoe-phone (even from inside of a trash bin) or wielding a chair to defeat the bad guys, he used his space and props to excellent effect, never dropping his physical or emotional energy.

The rest of the ensemble also carried this vivacity, each bringing a unique character with their own personality, physicality, and a distinct humorous style. John Lesko as the Chief maintained an impressive authoritative fervor in his role, infusing all of his scenes with an added level of intensity and interest. Supporting cast members such as Jackson Dillard as the "whimpering" Agent 44, confined to security duty in a trash can; Daytona Kassy as the slightly befuddled Scandinavian Princess Ingrid (with a consistent and humorous accent throughout); and the trio of Amy Andrade, Natasha Oster, and Margie Greer as the ninja-warrior-acrobat Wong sisters all stood out in their individual commitment to their roles and in their support of the overall tone and quality of the show.

The technical elements of the production contributed greatly to the comedy and lighthearted tone. The use of a row of multi-sided columns was visually pleasing and perfectly suited to the purpose. They allowed quick transitions—a rotation of the columns to transport the set from the headquarters of CONTROL to the Fortune Cookie Club rather than changing an entire solid backdrop from scene to scene. A secret agent show is in great part defined by its gadgets, and the plethora of props truly added to the action and fit the style well. They included impressive hand-made contraptions such as the threatening weapon of mass destruction, the "inthermo," and a fully functioning shoe-phone that survived an entire show's worth of slapstick action. Subtle but expert lighting decisions and execution added an extra layer to the visual quality of the show, and even contributed to the satire. A clearly dedicated and efficient crew made the many gears of the production turn smoothly and unnoticeably, even adding a touch of humor, with the stage crew using their headlamps to imitate search lights as they changed the set between scenes.

Amidst the often awkward and complex humor of today's situational comedies, the easy slapstick and one-shot lines in JEB Stuart's Get Smart brought a smile to every face—as evidenced by the constant giggles bursting from the youngest audience members throughout the show.

Claire Briggs
Flint Hill School
Submitted for publication to Falls Church News Press

Not even an angry boss, missing princess, sassy co-agent, or the threat of KAOS can discourage the efforts of Maxwell Smart- the bumbling spy known as Agent 86. On Friday, November 20th, at J.E.B. Stuart High School, J.E.B. Stuart Theatre performed a hilarious rendition of the play Get Smart. The play was adapted by Christopher Sergel from the popular series of the same name created by the great comedic duo Mel Brooks and Buck Henry. The television show was a satire exploiting the world's fascination with Inspector Clouseau and James Bond.

In the play, Maxwell Smart (played by Sam Wirth), with the help of the loyal and feisty Agent 99 (Echo Celani Arnold), must prevent the evil efforts of the organization KAOS to kidnap the Scandinavian Princess Ingrid (Daytona Kassy) and get a hold of a destructive invention called the Inthermo. Through any challenge, Smart has an unwavering sense of confidence. Clumsy, naive, and goofy as he may be, one cannot help rooting for him in his good-intentioned efforts to save the world.

Sam Wirth did a brilliant job as Smart, playing the audience well and maintaining his awkward yet confident character. He managed to make his movements simultaneously clumsy and athletic, especially during a very memorable fight scene in his underwear, which induced many laughs from the audience. Wirth's physicality, which he often used to elicit laughs, added to his character in a way that didn't take away from the action of the scene and allowed him to show Smart's thoughts without saying a word. Wirth had the highest energy performance of any actor in the show and great diction.

Other noteworthy performances were those of Smart's boss, the Chief (John Lesko), Agent 99 (Echo Celani Arnold), Princess Ingrid (Daytona Kassy), and the leader of KAOS, Mr. Big (Elijah Williams). John Lesko was a great contrast to Smart as the Chief, and was always easily understood, even when yelling (which was frequently). Like Wirth (Smart), he kept up his energy throughout the show and had clear diction, strong character, and nicely timed reactions. Echo Celani Arnold had a consistently amusing performance as Agent 99 and was a nice balance to Wirth. She was able to confidently play a somewhat more polished character and show the subtext of her lines while also reacting with the audience to Smart's antics. Daytona Kassy had a hilarious, adorable Scandinavian accent as Princess Ingrid, at one point bringing the audience into hysterical laughter. Another consistently funny performance was that of Elijah Williams as the villainous, suave, cool, and collected Mr. Big. His voice alone brought many chuckles, but his evil-laugh and smooth, Elvis-like movements brought even more laughs. Williams was very expressive, and the audience seemed to anticipate the hilarity as soon as he walked onstage.

The props, lighting, stage crew, sets, and sound effects of the show should also be praised. The detail put into the props, such as the shoe-phone used by Smart, added character to the play. The lighting seemed to match the scenes at hand very well, while the sets were simple without being boring. The sound was perfectly timed with the actions going on, and the stage crew moved efficiently and quietly.

The cast and crew of J.E.B. Stuart High School's Get Smart put on a fabulously smart performance, with the cast being incredibly high-energy and fun to watch, while the crew maintained perfect timing in their effects and movements. This was a highly enjoyable performance, that should be commended on a job well done.

Zeal An
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Submitted for publication to Connection

The excitement of secret agents with dossiers, intense missions, and secret gadgets, a genre capable of transporting us out of our ho-hum lives and into a world of high-stakes espionage led by ultra-skilled spies. Now replace the hero with a clumsy, incompetent agent, and you have Get Smart. Though the agent may have been graceless, J.E.B Stuart High School's skilled cast and crew elegantly brought the iconic show onto their stage.

Get Smart is based on a hit 1965 television show by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry and adapted for the stage by Christopher Sergel. A satire of secret agent dramas, the play follows Maxwell Smart, a bumbling, yet successful, agent at CONTROL, a United States government spy agency. Rival agency KAOS kidnaps a Scandinavian princess and threatens to blow up the Statue of Liberty, and Smart is tasked with stopping them, beginning a fast-paced, intense chase.

Leading the show as CONTROL's best agent, Sam Wirth's portrayal of Maxwell Smart was fittingly cartoon-like and goofy. Wirth landed his character's many jokes with a naive sincerity that perfectly suited the clumsy Smart. Accompanying him was Agent 99, played by Echo Celani Arnold. Her performance, more serious than Wirth's, still exuded pluck and warmth in her loyalty to Smart. The two artfully portrayed the tension between themselves, creating an awkward, yet lovable, team.

Accompanying the leads were a diverse cast of supporting actors. Some minor characters had issues with diction. However, all actors maintained committed to their characters, even when exiting the stage, keeping the audience immersed in the play. Highlights included CONTROL's Chief, played by John Lesko. His performance, rife with harried mannerisms and accented with a cross voice, gave a welcome urgency to an otherwise lighthearted play. As Mr. Big, the head of KAOS, Elijah Williams' exaggerated performance perfectly depicted the ultimate villain, complete with a rousing evil laugh. The kidnapped Princess Ingrid was played by Daytona Kassy, whose sassy, aloof portrayal and Scandinavian accent never failed to entertain.

The play's simple, practical set was moved deftly, with the stage crew carrying flashlights onto the darkened stage for a humorous and captivating touch. Lighting was simple, yet effective, and included the occasional flashy effect, like strobing red lights when the Inthermo machine was activated. Though no actors wore body mics, the play used voiceovers for a dramatic feel. Though the voiceovers failed to be relayed through the speakers in the first act, the actors made sure to project from off-stage to ensure they could be heard, and all issues were fixed by the second act.

Get Smart, in its heyday, captivated a generation of television watchers and remains one of the sixties' most successful shows. To live up to such a well-loved series is a difficult task, but J.E.B. Stuart's production certainly did it justice.

Debi Das
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

To be a spy, one must utilize all of his best characteristics: cunning, speed, charm, grace. Take out the cunning, speed, and grace, throw in some klutziness, and you've got Maxwell Smart. Code name: 86. Although he wasn't one to think intelligently in the situations typical of the world – action packed with sneaky espionage and secret gadgets – J.E.B Stuart High School's performance showed how he was able to Get Smart.

Get Smart began as a hit 1965 television series, created by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry. Christopher Sergel adapted it for a stage format. It follows one of many stories of Maxwell Smart, the top agent, despite his many humorous mistakes and assumptions at CONTROL, a government agency dealing with the inner workings of spies. When KAOS, a rival and more sinister agency, kidnaps Ingrid, a Scandinavian princess, and threatens to blow up the Statue of Liberty unless a hefty fine is paid, it's up to 86 and the help of his fellow agents, and a few dramatic flourishes of his shoe phone, to save the day.

Leading the cast of quirky yet lovable characters was Sam Wirth, playing Maxwell Smart. His charismatic voice and over-exaggerated gesticulations gave Smart a somewhat silly but sincere and kind-hearted personality that perfectly suited the eager agent. By his side was Echo Celani Arnold, assuming the role of Agent 99. Her more serious demeanor and steadfast loyalty to 86 gave him an unwavering support system to lean on. Together, they made an awkward but charming team, taking names and promptly losing them wherever they went.

In addition to the eccentric leads, the supporting characters did a marvelous job of keeping the audience engaged in the story as well. While there were some issues with projection and diction, they made up for it by staying committed to the scenes, even while exiting the stage. Standouts included the Chief of CONTROL, portrayed by John Lesko. The driving force of every mission, he always seemed ready to blow his top, giving the show the controlling edge it lacked. Even with his harsh motions and angry voice, he has a soft spot for his tropical fish, which provides a comical aspect to his demeanor. Another highlight was Mr. Big or the leader of KAOS, given the name by his hairdresser and played by Elijah Williams. His booming evil laughter followed him on and off the stage, emphasizing his villainous personality. In terms of his hair, nobody said one couldn't look good while doing bad.

The technical aspects, while simple, aided the production well. The set was practical and able to be rotated, for various usage. The humorous deck crew wore flashlights on their heads that added a strobe-light effect to the scene changes. Lighting was also used for more obvious effect, such as flashing red lights during the activation of the Inthermo machine and the lights dimming during the climactic fight scene. The actors used no body mics, but through stage mics and projection, most were heard clearly. Though the voice-overs from the side were hard to hear at times, the technical issues were fixed by the second act.

Not what one would imagine when thinking of a spy show, Get Smart was beloved for a reason, with its amusing lines and lovable cast. While following that level of success could be difficult, J.E.B. Stuart was up for the task.