Storied
at El Dorado

Reviewed on November 14, 2015

Joyce Lee
Northwood
Submitted for publication to OC Register

El Dorado's ‘Storied' provokes thought

Exploring the possibilities of imagination, El Dorado's "Storied" intrigues with the revelations of a teenage trio trapped in a magical dimension.

A simple trip to the bathroom pulls Becky, Tatum and Kevin into a strange world where all fictional characters live together as Good or Bad Ideas. When the trio embarks on a quest to defeat the Bad Ideas, they find themselves wondering if they, too, are simply characters playing a part in a story.

With dark lipstick and a typical teenager's slouch, Krista Eliot as Tatum personifies apathy, her abrasive tone and quick, deliberate steps highlighting her assertive nature.

Directly opposing Tatum's cynical authority is Matt Guttilla as Kevin, whose equally indifferent personality often clashing with Tatum's, the pair intensely locking gazes as they stand mere inches apart. After Tatum's death, however, Guttilla's callous shell cracks, revealing vulnerability through incessant pacing, his voice trembling as he monologues about his underprivileged background and his fears of death.

Geri Henderson endears as Becky, a timid, yet friendly girl whose high-pitched voice and constant fidgeting convincingly portray her as the youngest of the three. Paralleling Guttilla, Henderson undergoes significant character development after Tatum's death, using slower speech and a bolder stance to show her transition from uncertainty to conviction.

Although there were instances of incoherency and forced emotion, the cast overcomes with original twists on classic characters, such as the witch from "Hansel and Gretel" and the Evil Stepmother from "Snow White," named Brittany (Haylee Couron) and Colleen (Katarina Blagojevic), respectively. They slink across the stage, their languid movements and screeching laughs contradicting their claims of being formerly evil.

One unforgettable character is Toilet, voiced by Jenna Young, an animate, vindictive toilet with an Eastern European accent. Set designers McKayla McCune and Hunter Nelson exceed expectations by constructing a large, realistic toilet to embody this unexpected villain.

The stage crew, headed by Hannah Dorf, executes scene changes efficiently, moving set pieces like the gingerbread house and the Toilet on and off with relative speed. The main set—a raised platform with two stairs—is ingenious in its simplicity, allowing the audience to project their imagination onto the black structure without taking too much attention away from the scene.

Through a mix of quirky characters, minimalist designs and a dose of existentialism, El Dorado's production of this little-known play presents a fresh perspective on the power of storytelling.

Joyce Lee
Northwood
Submitted for publication to OC Register

El Dorado's ‘Storied' provokes thought

Exploring the possibilities of imagination, El Dorado's "Storied" intrigues with the revelations of a teenage trio trapped in a magical dimension.

A simple trip to the bathroom pulls Becky, Tatum and Kevin into a strange world where all fictional characters live together as Good or Bad Ideas. When the trio embarks on a quest to defeat the Bad Ideas, they find themselves wondering if they, too, are simply characters playing a part in a story.

With dark lipstick and a typical teenager's slouch, Krista Eliot as Tatum personifies apathy, her abrasive tone and quick, deliberate steps highlighting her assertive nature.

Directly opposing Tatum's cynical authority is Matt Guttilla as Kevin, whose equally indifferent personality often clashing with Tatum's, the pair intensely locking gazes as they stand mere inches apart. After Tatum's death, however, Guttilla's callous shell cracks, revealing vulnerability through incessant pacing, his voice trembling as he monologues about his underprivileged background and his fears of death.

Geri Henderson endears as Becky, a timid, yet friendly girl whose high-pitched voice and constant fidgeting convincingly portray her as the youngest of the three. Paralleling Guttilla, Henderson undergoes significant character development after Tatum's death, using slower speech and a bolder stance to show her transition from uncertainty to conviction.

Although there were instances of incoherency and forced emotion, the cast overcomes with original twists on classic characters, such as the witch from "Hansel and Gretel" and the Evil Stepmother from "Snow White," named Brittany (Haylee Couron) and Colleen (Katarina Blagojevic), respectively. They slink across the stage, their languid movements and screeching laughs contradicting their claims of being formerly evil.

One unforgettable character is Toilet, voiced by Jenna Young, an animate, vindictive toilet with an Eastern European accent. Set designers McKayla McCune and Hunter Nelson exceed expectations by constructing a large, realistic toilet to embody this unexpected villain.

The stage crew, headed by Hannah Dorf, executes scene changes efficiently, moving set pieces like the gingerbread house and the Toilet on and off with relative speed. The main set—a raised platform with two stairs—is ingenious in its simplicity, allowing the audience to project their imagination onto the black structure without taking too much attention away from the scene.

Through a mix of quirky characters, minimalist designs and a dose of existentialism, El Dorado's production of this little-known play presents a fresh perspective on the power of storytelling.

Julia Gordon
San Juan Hills
Submitted for publication to OC Register

El Dorado presents a splendid ‘Storied'

For most people, adolescence is a period of self-discovery and exploration when one realizes their true identity. As for the teenage trio of "Storied," their discovery is a bit more momentous than the typical youngster's.

El Dorado High School's thought-provoking production of "Storied" follows the philosophical journey of Tatum, Becky, and Kevin—three teens who were sucked from the mall bathroom into the fantastical world where all story characters throughout history reside. They embark on a quest to defeat the bad ideas that plague this realm, and along the way, they realize that they too belong to this world of fictional characters.

Playing the role of Tatum, Krista Eliot embodies the stereotypical angsty teenager. She sulks with arms crossed, hip cocked, and lip curled—creating an air of apathy and aloofness. Eliot dominates with a booming voice and menacing scowl until fatally shot by the Sniper (Amy Leonard). Her scowl falls as her eyes grow wide with shock, and she slowly collapses with arms reaching out and mouth agape.

Portraying Tatum's foil, Geri Henderson as Becky is the play's fearful ingénue. When agitated, Henderson wrings her hands and chews on her lip, and she flings her arms in spastic, tantrum-like gesticulations when provoked by Tatum. Henderson expertly develops Becky's emotional arc as her timid, self-hugging posture blossoms in to a wide, determined stance.

Kevin, played by Matt Guttilla, is snarky and indignant as he rolls his eyes and stomps across stage. After Tatum's death, Guttilla's voice softens and eyes fall, and he reveals an emotional, vulnerable side to Kevin.

Alien (Jenna Young) amuses with her Yoda impersonation—her hunched posture, wise voice, and scuttling a playful parody of the beloved character.

Elise Anderson's makeup design expertly showcases each character's personality. Tatum, rebellious and impudent, wears dark lipstick while her innocent counterpart Becky is fresh-faced and natural. Big Metal Thing's metallic makeup and Alien's green makeup help create convincing, immersive characters.

McKayla McCune and Hunter Nelson's set design is clever and well-constructed. Toilet's set piece—a giant toilet—adds humor with its flapping lid and massive size. The hanging background pieces allude to the various characters and stories featured throughout the play, contributing to the mystical atmosphere.

Packed with moments of humor and self-reflection, El Dorado's whimsical rendition of "Storied" enchants audiences with an endearing cast and superb technical elements.

Julia Gordon
San Juan Hills
Submitted for publication to OC Register

El Dorado presents a splendid ‘Storied'

For most people, adolescence is a period of self-discovery and exploration when one realizes their true identity. As for the teenage trio of "Storied," their discovery is a bit more momentous than the typical youngster's.

El Dorado High School's thought-provoking production of "Storied" follows the philosophical journey of Tatum, Becky, and Kevin—three teens who were sucked from the mall bathroom into the fantastical world where all story characters throughout history reside. They embark on a quest to defeat the bad ideas that plague this realm, and along the way, they realize that they too belong to this world of fictional characters.

Playing the role of Tatum, Krista Eliot embodies the stereotypical angsty teenager. She sulks with arms crossed, hip cocked, and lip curled—creating an air of apathy and aloofness. Eliot dominates with a booming voice and menacing scowl until fatally shot by the Sniper (Amy Leonard). Her scowl falls as her eyes grow wide with shock, and she slowly collapses with arms reaching out and mouth agape.

Portraying Tatum's foil, Geri Henderson as Becky is the play's fearful ingénue. When agitated, Henderson wrings her hands and chews on her lip, and she flings her arms in spastic, tantrum-like gesticulations when provoked by Tatum. Henderson expertly develops Becky's emotional arc as her timid, self-hugging posture blossoms in to a wide, determined stance.

Kevin, played by Matt Guttilla, is snarky and indignant as he rolls his eyes and stomps across stage. After Tatum's death, Guttilla's voice softens and eyes fall, and he reveals an emotional, vulnerable side to Kevin.

Alien (Jenna Young) amuses with her Yoda impersonation—her hunched posture, wise voice, and scuttling a playful parody of the beloved character.

Elise Anderson's makeup design expertly showcases each character's personality. Tatum, rebellious and impudent, wears dark lipstick while her innocent counterpart Becky is fresh-faced and natural. Big Metal Thing's metallic makeup and Alien's green makeup help create convincing, immersive characters.

McKayla McCune and Hunter Nelson's set design is clever and well-constructed. Toilet's set piece—a giant toilet—adds humor with its flapping lid and massive size. The hanging background pieces allude to the various characters and stories featured throughout the play, contributing to the mystical atmosphere.

Packed with moments of humor and self-reflection, El Dorado's whimsical rendition of "Storied" enchants audiences with an endearing cast and superb technical elements.

Judith Clayton
Santa Margarita Catholic
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

El Dorado's "Storied" Creates a Magical Performance

From Alice in Wonderland and Santa Clause to Sniper in a Tutu and Toilet: Destroyer of Worlds, El Dorado's "Storied" is filled with larger than life characters at every twist and turn.

The story begins with three teenagers who wander into a mall bathroom and end up finding themselves in a strange, magical world where ideas and stories come to life. While the world is filled with good ideas, the bad ideas threaten their existence and the three teens must try to stop the bad ideas before it's too late. The show is filled with humor but also asks serious existential questions of the world around them.

The one who stands out as the leader of the group, Tatum played by Krista Eliot, embodies a sense of teenage angst and determination to find a way out of the world they've found themselves in. Eliot gives off a sassy and confident attitude with her hands on hips and head held high, bossing around the other two. Geri Henderson plays Tatum's friend's little sister, Becky, high strung and nervous, conveying her innocence through her high, squeaky voice and frantic movements. Henderson is able to transform from follower to leader by growing in her bravery and confidence. The last of the three teenagers is Kevin (Matt Guttilla), who also transforms from an angry, frustrated boy to a more mature and thoughtful person. Guttilla and Eliot are able to heighten the tension between their characters through their biting words and clenched fists. The three seem to be complete opposites yet work off each other well in their performances.

Other characters that help bring the story to life are the two witches, Brittany (Haylee Couron) and Colleen (Katrina Blagojevic), who bring the teenagers into their world and lure them into their trap, playing coy at first and then revealing their true intentions of keeping them there.

Immediately, the set design by McKayla McCune and Hunter Nelson transforms the stage into another world with a different hanging symbol for every story surrounding a swirling vortex centerpiece. The makeup (designed by Elise Anderson) gives each character a unique identity from Tatum's dark lipstick and black eyeliner that show off her rebelliousness, to the Alien covered in very green, detailed makeup.

The actors are able to transform into unique characters that come together to create a very magical performance.

Judith Clayton
Santa Margarita Catholic
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

El Dorado's "Storied" Creates a Magical Performance

From Alice in Wonderland and Santa Clause to Sniper in a Tutu and Toilet: Destroyer of Worlds, El Dorado's "Storied" is filled with larger than life characters at every twist and turn.

The story begins with three teenagers who wander into a mall bathroom and end up finding themselves in a strange, magical world where ideas and stories come to life. While the world is filled with good ideas, the bad ideas threaten their existence and the three teens must try to stop the bad ideas before it's too late. The show is filled with humor but also asks serious existential questions of the world around them.

The one who stands out as the leader of the group, Tatum played by Krista Eliot, embodies a sense of teenage angst and determination to find a way out of the world they've found themselves in. Eliot gives off a sassy and confident attitude with her hands on hips and head held high, bossing around the other two. Geri Henderson plays Tatum's friend's little sister, Becky, high strung and nervous, conveying her innocence through her high, squeaky voice and frantic movements. Henderson is able to transform from follower to leader by growing in her bravery and confidence. The last of the three teenagers is Kevin (Matt Guttilla), who also transforms from an angry, frustrated boy to a more mature and thoughtful person. Guttilla and Eliot are able to heighten the tension between their characters through their biting words and clenched fists. The three seem to be complete opposites yet work off each other well in their performances.

Other characters that help bring the story to life are the two witches, Brittany (Haylee Couron) and Colleen (Katrina Blagojevic), who bring the teenagers into their world and lure them into their trap, playing coy at first and then revealing their true intentions of keeping them there.

Immediately, the set design by McKayla McCune and Hunter Nelson transforms the stage into another world with a different hanging symbol for every story surrounding a swirling vortex centerpiece. The makeup (designed by Elise Anderson) gives each character a unique identity from Tatum's dark lipstick and black eyeliner that show off her rebelliousness, to the Alien covered in very green, detailed makeup.

The actors are able to transform into unique characters that come together to create a very magical performance.