Starlight Express
at West Potomac High School

Reviewed on May 7, 2016

Aline Dolinh
Oakton High School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Fairfax

Can a scrappy, rusty steam engine outrace his high-powered rivals – and win the heart of the gleaming first-class carriage of his dreams? In their hypnotic, high-octane production of Starlight Express, West Potomac High School showed us that anything is possible as long as you can keep the "light at the end of the tunnel" in sight.

The rock musical, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Richard Stilgoe, debuted on London's West End in 1984 and has become one of its longest-running productions. Since then, it has also gained international fame thanks to several worldwide tours and its unique concept – the enchanting plot follows the story of a child's model train set that springs to life at night and its cutthroat competition to earn the title of "fastest engine in the world," made even more remarkable by the fact that all actors perform on roller skates.

David Jarzen shined as the persistent and idealistic Rusty, with his earnest performance and full-bodied vocals particularly on display in the emotionally charged solo "Starlight Sequence." "I Do," his romantic duet with sparkling-new observation car Pearl (Emily Carbone), was also a highlight. Other standouts included Rusty's hopeful Poppa (Julian Worth), whose expressiveness remained prominent even in the largest ensemble numbers, and sassy Dinah the dining car (Frankie Mananzan), whose charm and spectacular vocals made her a regular scene-stealer. The latter was also part of the lively ensemble of Carriages, which also included buffet car Buffy (Delaney Claussen), sleeping car Duvey (Jade Schaub), and smoking car Ashley (Lizzy Rader) – who comprised a truly delightful quartet thanks to their harmonies and synchronization.

The sharply practiced skate choreography was a true tour de force, made magnificent by the performers' locomotive physicality and thorough knowledge of their counts. The second act in particular breathed new energy into the show thanks to animated group numbers such as the exultant "Light at the End of the Tunnel" and the finale's "Megamix."

The show was also a feast for the eyes, with its stunning aesthetics reflected in inventive costuming that included character-specific helmets, wearable LED, and even Heelys for the hip-hopping freighters. The well-constructed set also incorporated onstage ramps that were fully utilized by the dynamic race sequences. Special effects such as vibrant strobe lights and pitched Autotune for "engine of the future" Electra (John McFarlane) further enhanced the show's technological atmosphere. And despite the fact that sound could be muddied at times, the cast's strong voices were nevertheless capable of powering through.

Sturdy vocal talent and extraordinary attention to detail combined to create a show as spectacular as the titular Express itself. West Potomac High School's production of Starlight Express was certainly on the right track – in fact, it was absolutely electrifying.

Alexa Tucker
Westfield High School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Fairfax

"This is Control," a boy's voice booms. "Tonight is the most important night in the history of the world…. Take your seats for the World Championship railroad race!" With these promising words, West Potomac High School invited the audience on a thrilling ride through the vibrant world of Starlight Express.

With music by the famous Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Richard Stilgoe, Starlight Express delves into the imaginative mind of a young boy known only as "Control," whose toy trains compete to win the World Championship railroad race. Greaseball the diesel train and Electra the electric engine seem to be the favorites, but Rusty the steam engine is determined to win the title. When Rusty's partner, the beautiful observation car Pearl, eschews him in favor of the other trains, Rusty must seek the help and advice of the legendary Starlight Express to win the race. The unusual rock musical opened on the West End in 1984 and is now one of the longest running musicals in West End history.

West Potomac High School tackled what has been called the "double black diamond" of high school musicals in choosing to perform a show in which the performers exclusively wear roller skates. The actors spent countless hours perfecting both basic skating skills and more advanced tricks, such as skating backwards, jumps, and cartwheels. Every movement appeared graceful and effortless, attesting to the hard work and dedication of the skate captain, Delaney Claussen, and the entire cast.

David Jarzen portrayed the downtrodden underdog Rusty with hopeful energy as he yearned to prove himself to Pearl and the world. Jarzen blew the audience away with his stunning voice, hitting incredibly high notes in songs such as "Starlight Express" and "Starlight Sequence." Opposite Jarzen, Emily Carbone played Pearl with grace and poise, showing off impressive dance skill in "Make Up My Heart" as she agonized over her decision to partner with Electra instead of Rusty. Carbone and Jarzen's voices complemented each other perfectly, blending seamlessly in "I Do" as the couple adoringly declared their love for each other.

As Poppa, Rusty's aging father, Julian Worth immediately endeared himself to the audience with his kind and supportive demeanor. Worth impressed the audience with his vocal mastery in "Poppa's Blues" and "Light at The End of the Tunnel." Despite problems with volume and diction, many actors created memorable characters through distinct voices and mannerisms. Greaseball, played by Jonathan Barger, perfected an Elvis-style accent for his role, while John McFarlane's sharp movements and commanding presence embodied Electra's intimidatingly futuristic persona.

The set, designed by Elaina Phalen, Ella Moore, and Natalie Jurkowski, elicited the anticipatory mood of a sports arena and was designed with the needs of skaters in mind. A massive expansion of the stage allowed the actors enough room to show off their skating skills, building excitement as they raced along the outer tracks. Although the costume team (Jordan McCray, et. al) was forced to work around county requirements that all actors wear protective gear, they created astoundingly creative and professional-looking costumes. Each costume was unique to the character – Pearl's bedazzled helmet featured an elegant tiara, Electra's breastplate included LED lights, and Rusty's entire costume was decked out in hand-painted gears. The makeup team, led by Kaylie Kopicki, used vibrant colors in bold patterns to further individualize each character.

Although perhaps audience members had their doubts about seeing a show about trains, West Potomac High School's visually astounding production of Starlight Express proved that the most engrossing stories can come from the most unexpected places.

Syona Ayyankeril
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Red Apple 21 - FCPS

Racing, romance, and unrelenting determination! For a locomotive love story and an altogether electric theater-going experience, climb aboard West Potomac High School's riveting production of "The Starlight Express."

First premiering in 1984 with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Richard Stilgoe, "Starlight Express" unfolds around a child's set of toy trains, which magically come to life and compete against each other to claim the title of fastest engine in the world. Rusty, a spunky Steam Engine, dreams of overcoming all the odds to win the races as well as the love of a first class carriage named Pearl.

With its flashing lights, swirling bright colors, and exquisitely detailed costumes, West Potomac's production is a lavish feast for the eyes. The adept costume crew rose impeccably to the challenge of transforming teenagers into train cars, characterizing each cast member with distinct designs and individualized, hand-painted pieces. Some of the more impressive pieces even featured LED lights. In addition, the equally elaborate hair and makeup designs were bold and luminous, complementing the costumes perfectly.

The show was performed entirely on roller skates, and the cast exhibited great skill, cohesively executing intricate choreography, dynamic formations, and impressive tricks performed off of various ramps built into the set. In addition, the ensemble was a powerful vocal force, and its energy only improved throughout the show, peaking in an absolutely thrilling final sequence.

David Jarzen starred as Rusty, playing the unlikely hero with an endearing presence and stunning vocal skill. Shining in solo numbers such as "Starlight Sequence," Jarzen was able to create some of the strongest and most compelling moments of the show even while standing alone on stage. Alongside Jarzen, Emily Carbone stood out as Pearl, developing her character with perfectly polished stylized movements and grace. Jarzen and Carbone worked well together to create a charming chemistry that was especially highlighted in their sweet duet "I Do."

One particularly noteworthy member of the cast was Julian Worth, who played Rusty's mentor and fellow steam engine, Poppa. Worth displayed great authenticity in a genuinely engaging performance that was enhanced by a strong voice and an energy force that anchored the cast in larger numbers. Other standout vocal performances include Jonathan Barger as the charismatic three-time world champion, Greaseball; and Frankie Mananzan as Dinah, the dining car after his heart, who shone in numbers such as "U.N.C.O.U.P.L.E.D."

With both impressive tech and strong performances, the gifted cast and crew at West Potomac were able to achieve a captivating and memorable show. In addition to being a thoroughly fun and entertaining production, West Potomac's "Starlight Express" is at its core an uplifting underdog tale that emphasizes the importance of perseverance, reminding us all through difficult times that "at the end of the tunnel, there's a light."

Diana Witt
Westfield High School
Submitted for publication to FCPS Community News

"Leaping Locomotives!" proclaims a little boy, as he narrates the speedy races of his train set. The fast and daring life of his trains comes to life inside his imagination. This imaginative fantasy turns to reality for the audience in West Potomac High School's whimsical and awe-inspiring production of Starlight Express.

Starlight Express is a 1984 rock musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Richard Stilgoe. It is one of the longest running West End musicals, although it finished its Broadway run after only 761 performances. Performed entirely on roller-skates, Starlight Express takes the audience into the imagination of a little boy and his train set. His trains race to earn the title of "Fastest engine in the world." Underdog, Rusty, is only a steam train, but he hopes to beat the powerful electric trains in the race. With motivation from the legendary and infamous Starlight Express, Rusty follows his dreams of victory and finds his love.

In keeping with the tradition of the show, West Potomac's cast performed the entire show on roller-skates. This certainly was an impressive feat, as they quickly skated up and down ramps. The cast maintained neat formations and sharp choreography. Fancy spins and tricks are impressive in jazz shoes, but on roller-skates they were astounding. David Jarzen, as Rusty, skated straight into the hearts of the audience. Jarzen gave an all-around stellar performance, displaying impeccable acting and vocal skill. His solo song "Starlight Express" was one of the best numbers in the show as Jarzen ignited the fire of hope and imagination, while showcasing flawless vocal technique.

The carriage girl trains meshed together to create a cohesive ensemble, while each adding a unique flair to their diverse characters. Seamless harmonies and well-executed choreography made numbers like "He'll Whistle At Me" memorable. Leading the carriages was first-class coach and object of affection, Pearl, played by Emily Carbone. Carbone beautifully sang and acted alongside her male counterpart, Rusty, in many poignant songs. Their voices blended together smoothly leading to many lovely onstage moments. Another standout carriage was dinning car Dinah, played by Frankie Mananzan. Mananzan voiced Dinah with wit and sass and exhibited strong vocal experience in the hilarious song, "U.N.C.O.U.P.L.E.D." Other praiseworthy trains included Greaseball, played by Johnathan Barger and Poppa, played by Julian Worth. Barger embodied the rough and rugged Greaseball, adapting swift movements and harsh tone. In contrast, Worth depicted the sweet and sensitive Poppa. He presented stunning vocal talent and his song "Light at the End of the Tunnel" brought the show to new heights.

Dazzling technical aspects enriched the magic of the production. Vivid eccentric costumes were custom made and no two were the same. The electric trains' costumes even featured LED lights on the vests and shoulder pads. Makeup was crisp and color coordinated to each train's scheme. The set design was simple for the safety of the skaters, yet had many exciting features like a light up wall featuring 600 tiny bulbs. Lighting was also a high point of the show, as the light crew utilized many intelligent lights and colors for different effects. The movement, shapes, and colors of the lights sparked the wonderment of the audience in this sparkling production.

Swift skaters and vibrant pops of color in the lights and set sparked childlike magic in the hearts of the audience. West Potomac's Starlight Express was a thrilling composition of rock-and-roll, stunning tricks and talent, and a whole lot of fantasy.

Morgan Perigard
Westfield High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com - Ft Hunt/Kingstowne

"Starlight Express, you must confess, are you real, yes or no?," sings Rusty as he looks up into the sky with hope and promise. Though Rusty was doubtful, the legend was definitely real in West Potomac High School's uproarious and spirited production of Starlight Express.

Starlight Express, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Richard Stilgoe, opened on the West End in 1984, running for 7,406 performances. It also had a Broadway run, which ran for only 761 performances. The roller-skating rock musical is beloved in many countries, including Germany, where it has been running continuously since 1988. The plot follows a boy who imagines the lives of his toy trains as they compete to be the "fastest engine in the world." Rusty, a young and inexperienced train, does not seem to have a chance to win the race, until he is motivated by the great Starlight Express. Thus, Rusty sets off to win the race, as well as the heart of Pearl, the "first-class" carriage.

David Jarzen led the action as the underdog steam train, Rusty. Jarzen's stunning vocals and adorable nature perfectly led the audience in this The Little Engine that Could story. His commitment to his character was evident, consistently using his own physicality to represent the turning wheels of the train. Emily Carbone portrayed Pearl with a delightful sweetness. Carbone was a beautiful dancer and was never hindered by her roller skates, but let them make her performance even more pleasant to watch. Jarzen and Carbone had an adorable dynamic, specifically in their duet, "I Do."

A myriad of enjoyable supporting characters rounded out the show. The Carriages were energetic and spritely, especially in the song "Locomotion." Frankie Mananzan, as Dinah the Dining Car, was a stand out with her beautiful singing and dancing. Her song "U.N.C.O.U.P.L.E.D." was wonderfully endearing and a joy to watch. Jonathan Barger was hilarious as the fast and confident train Greaseball and Julian Worth played Poppa adorably, especially in his moments of fatherly love with Jarzen.

By far the standout aspects of the production were the seamless technical features. Though there were some issues with sound, the lighting design was absolutely pristine and perfectly timed with the music. The use of 39 intelligent lights and a disco ball provided a magnificent techno setting for the rock musical. The costume design was also incredible, with every piece intricately detailed and customized for each train. The design even included colorful and lively helmets that each train wore. Moreover, the makeup design was exquisite for every single character. Each train had their own makeup that showed the audience exactly who they were.

Roller skating is no easy feat, especially when coupled with a zany rock musical. Nevertheless, West Potomac High School's exuberant production of Starlight Express truly had a whole lotta locomotion.

Emily Swett
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Insidenova - Sun Gazette

Rusty is the little steam train that could. If only he would stand up to the oil and electric trains and proudly say "steam", he just might be able to win the race, and Pearl's whistle-loving heart. "Starlight Express" at West Potomac High School was an evening of competition, romance, and rejection - all on roller skates.

With lyrics by Richard Stilgoe and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, "Starlight Express" is a whimsical rock musical about a little boy's trains that come to life and compete to find the world's fastest train. Underdog Rusty must compete against Electra and Greaseball, receiving inspiration from his Poppa and from the mythic Starlight Express, and prove to Pearl that he does love her. One of the longest running musicals in West End history, "Starlight Express" is a classic, loved for it's innocent story and roller skating madness.

A stage lit with bright colors, decked with ramps for skating tricks and a hand painted train station, was enchanting and practical. Attention to detail was remarkable in costumes; each individual train car had specific distinguishing aspects to their costumes, while still appearing cohesive as an ensemble and unique in their respective teams. Brightly colored makeup enhanced this characterization, intricately demonstrating skill in student's designs and application. High quality technical elements combined to created a stunning foundation for this playful show.

Rusty's (David Jarzen) velvety tone resonated through the auditorium, and the audience. Most notably in "Starlight Sequence", in which Rusty begs for help from the deified Starlight Express, and sweetly laments the difficulties of being a steam train. Jarzen's charisma paired nicely with Pearl's (Emily Carbone) gentle naivete, and the two shared lovely harmonies in their duet "I Do".

An audience favorite, Poppa (Julian Worth) was a standout, his bluesy notes and folksy manner making him an endearing father and proud steam engine. Another great voice came from Greaseball (Jonathan Barger), a wonderfully egotistical oil engine, who utilized a deep smoky Elvis-esque twang with confidence.

Pearl and her four carriage friends were consistently exciting and pleasing to watch, adorably dancing together through their struggles with boy trains. Dinah (Frankie Mananzan), one of the carriages, was lively and showed off her voice in the song "U. N. C. O. U. P. L. E. D.". Despite moments of inconsistent energy, the ensemble was impressive and eye-catching, especially in their mastery of roller skates. Another carriage, Ashley (Lizzy Rader), displayed superb dancing and presence, charming the audience. The ending number "Light At The End Of The Tunnel" was particularly energetic, as the entire cast skated around in astounding formations with ease.

West Potomac High School's production of "Starlight Express" was fun, flashy, and had the audience cheering "steam" for a little engine that could.

Jack Posey
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Alexandria Times

Under a whirl of brightly colored lights, a parade of anthropomorphic trains glides across the stage in seamless formation, zooming up and down ramps and skillfully executing joyful dance moves as they exuberantly proclaim "There's a light at the end of the tunnel!" West Potomac High School's production of Andrew Lloyd Weber's Starlight Express was a feast for the eyes and an unforgettable musical experience.

Starlight Express premiered on the West End in 1984 before making its Broadway debut in 1987, with music by Andrew Lloyd Weber and lyrics by Richard Stilgoe. The musical follows a child's fantasy of his toy trains magically coming to life and competing against each other in a world championship race. The frontrunner trains, a macho American diesel engine named Greaseball and a vain, high-tech electrical train named Electra, find a new opponent in underdog steam engine Rusty, while first-class coach car Pearl finds herself torn between aiding Greaseball or Rusty in the competition as her affections grow for the latter.

The flawless roller skating of the ensemble of performers in this production was nothing short of astounding for a high school production. The actors were costumed in hand-painted spandex body-suits with stunning embellishments, ranging from vibrantly colored peplums and shoulder pads to light-up LED armor, as well as gorgeously ornamented helmets. Each sartorial ensemble created a distinctive character for any given performer within characteristic groups such as the engines, freight trucks, and coach cars. The wide array of high-impact, face-paint makeup designs heightened the mechanized look of the trains, with dark lines carving out hard edges and bold eye designs elevating the fantastical visuals. The set consisted of a wide center floor, with two ramps on the far left and right sides of the stage, tan platforms at the "Start" line far upstage, and three interconnected catwalks thrusting out from the stage. Though the lighting wash was occasionally uneven, leaving some performers in dim lighting on the catwalks and on the edge of the stage, strobing effects and punctuating swirls of colorful light were perfectly timed and exciting to behold.

As steam-engine Rusty, David Jarzen brought a strong vocal energy to the show's high-octane score with his smooth, clear high belt, while showing an endearing vulnerability in solo song "Starlight Express." Emily Carbone was captivating to watch as coach car Pearl, with fluid arm undulations and skating in numbers such as her touching duet with Rusty, "I Do." Frankie Mananzan lit up the stage as southern-belle dining car Dinah, with a bright pop belt and sassy charisma that made witty couplets in her country-tinged number "U.N.C.O.U.P.L.E.D" shine. Rounding out the ensemble of plucky carriage cars were Jade Schaub as Duvey, Lizzy Rader as Ashley, and Delaney Claussen as Buffy, all of whom worked in strong synchronicity to execute some of the show's most intricate song-and-dance sequences with aplomb. Julian Worth was a standout as father-figure Poppa, lending a rich blue-eyed-soul croon to "Poppa's Blues" and crafting a compelling sense of nurturing for other characters and warm, paternal stage presence.

A ticket to West Potomac High School's production of Starlight Express will give you a first-class seat on the fast-track train to enjoyment.

Angela Hou
The Madeira School
Submitted for publication to Connection

Starlight express, one of the most unique and fancy musical, was perfectly interpreted in West Potomac High school and vividly created the imaginary stories happened among trains.

The play chronicled a dreamy and compelling painting: Rusty, the American steam engine who longs to enter the race and win; His poppa, the retired American champion steam engine; Pearl, the newest 1st class observation coach who instantly catches Rusty's attention and eventually falls in love with him; Electra, the bossy guy who is always being competitive and mean to Rusty. "Insisting on your dreams" seems to be the theme in the play and develop the plot around Rusty. Dealing with the unconventional train figures was a challenge to the performers, but they interpreted the characters vividly and brought them into real life.

Rusty (David Jarzen) is a hard working and positive figure since people can see his growth and progress through the whole show. With an emotional, traumatized glance and beautiful voice, David revealed the kindness and efforts Rusty held with in his heart and the talent Rusty showed in the final race. Furthermore, when Rusty was bullied by Electra, he still insisted to stand up and showed his faithfulness to his dreams with a powerful song. The small detail indicated David's deep understanding of his character. In addition, he had a beautiful voice and amazed the audience every time when he sang.

Meanwhile, Pearl (Emily Carbone) was beautiful and kind and eventually became Rusty's lover, indicating her care to Rusty and her pretty dances. Emily interpreted Pearl's love to Rusty by her vivid body gestures and moving words. While talking with Rusty, Pearl's kindness created a romantic and dramatic atmosphere in the play. Furthermore, when Rusty is injured, Emily's acting made the audience see the development of their relationship and their deep love.

Through the show, music and dance played important roles and created the joyful and bright atmosphere in the imagery world. In addition, the fact that all of them are doing roller skating, impressed the audience with their professional roller skating skills. All the characters were portrayed with unique and strong personalities while the songs and dances pushed the plot forward fluently and rested the theme. The enthusiasm of the entire cast illumed the show and made the audience really into the plot.

In conclusion, Starlight express includes tech supports, such as lightning and live orchestra, and thoughtful interpretation, which brought a fantastic experience to all the audience.

Kelsey Loesch
Paul VI Catholic High School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

Have you ever wondered what it would be like if your toys came to life? If you're lucky, it would be something like Andrew Lloyd Webber's rock musical, Starlight Express. In the story, a child's trains come to life and race to become the fastest engine in the world. Actors take on the roles of the train cars and spend the entirety of the show on roller skates. The cast and crew of West Potomac High School's took to the challenge of bringing this unusual, albeit spectacular, musical to the stage in their production of Starlight Express.

Starlight Express originated in the West End in 1984 and ran for over 7,000 performances making it one of the West End's longest running musicals. The demanding show required all of the performers to sing, dance, and act on roller skates. All actors worked extremely well on the skates, demonstrating skill both as skaters and as dancers.

David Jarzen was brilliant in the role of Rusty, a steam engine who joins the race to win the affection of a first class car, Pearl. Jarzen showed off his impressive vocal range in the titular "Starlight Express" and in "I Do," the emotional duet with Pearl (Emily Carbone)

Rusty refuses to race again after he loses his first race and his Poppa (Julian Worth), an aging, Blues singing, steam engine, urges him to trust in the mythical Starlight Express. Rusty is reluctant to believe and Poppa decides to enter the race to prove him wrong. After winning his first race, Poppa realizes that he is too worn down to keep racing and Rusty agrees to race in his place. From beginning to end, Worth wowed as the elderly train. His devotion to his character was evident through his energetic numbers like "Poppa's Blues" and "Light at the End of the Tunnel".

Rusty's competition, Greaseball, was played by Jonathan Barger. Barger was a riot as the cocky American train. He showed off his Elvis Presley-esque voice and dance moves in both "Rolling Stock" and "Pumping Iron". Greaseball's love interest, Dinah the Dining Car, was played by Frankie Mananzan. Mananzan won over the audience's hearts as the sweet car especially in her heartbreaking song "U.N.C.O.U.P.L.E.D.," sung after she finds out Greaseball has chosen to race with another train.

The five carriages provided a fun dose of girlish energy into the show. The girls shined in the sassy numbers "Locomotion" and "Freight is Great."

The vibrant nature of Starlight Express allowed for expressive and unique makeup and costumes inspired by the colorful original West End production. The unbelievably detailed makeup and costumes were a visible feast for the eyes. The costume crew also incorporated the required helmets and kneepads into the costumes, decorating each actor's safety gear to correspond to their character.

West Potomac's cast and crew transported the audience to a world unlike anything they had ever seen before and had them all believing in the power of the Starlight Express.