Pygmalion
at Newport Harbor

Reviewed on November 19, 2015

Samantha Pietenpol
El Dorado
Submitted for publication to OC Register

Newport Harbor's "Pygmalion" is an enchanting retelling of a classic tale

"Pygmalion" tells the story of a common girl, Eliza Doolittle, who is molded into a proper lady by Professor Henry Higgins and his colleague Colonel Pickering. Newport Harbor's heartfelt, energetic production shows the importance of loving oneself despite other people's opinions.

Sabrina Von Bogenberg uses an abrasive Cockney dialect and awkward, clumsy posture to embody the poor flower girl Eliza Doolittle. As her character learns to be a lady, Von Bogenberg changes her physicality and dialect to a more proper style, but still shows her stubborn independence with her quick wit and sharp tongue. While Von Bogenberg uses her mastery of both dialects to her advantage, she is completely in character even when she isn't speaking. Her facial expressions show all of Eliza's thoughts and reactions.

Another standout is Chris Surridge as Henry Higgins. Surridge uses erratic gestures and a disdainful tone to show his childlike arrogance. Colonel Pickering, portrayed by Steele Burnand, provides a balance to Higgins's wild personality. Burnand is always involved in the scene, and there to support Von Bogenberg's character with reassuring looks and quiet charm.

Alfred Doolittle, played by Vita Muccia, provides a touch of comedy in otherwise serious scenes. Muccia's enegetic, masculine movements showcase her acting capabilities, even when playing a role of the opposite gender. The dynamic Muccia also appears as a gifted opera singer at the ball, revealing her stunning vocals.

Sound design by Mckennah Blue adds to the realism of the play. In the opening scene, Blue layers many sounds to set the scene of a crowded street in the rain. Gavin Lattimer, light designer, uses blues and purples in the same scene to show the weather and mood. Later, Lattimer uses lights to show the passage of time during scenes. Scene changes, overseen by stage managers Caroline Wilkes and Sam Wertheimer, are smooth and silent, despite the large, complex sets that require many changes. During these changes, Keishaun Burroughs skillfully provides beautiful violin music, creating a haunting motif.

Newport Harbor High School's actors use their deep connections to their characters to deliver a relevant message in their production of "Pygmalion," that happiness and social success come from respecting oneself.

Samantha Pietenpol
El Dorado
Submitted for publication to OC Register

Newport Harbor's "Pygmalion" is an enchanting retelling of a classic tale

"Pygmalion" tells the story of a common girl, Eliza Doolittle, who is molded into a proper lady by Professor Henry Higgins and his colleague Colonel Pickering. Newport Harbor's heartfelt, energetic production shows the importance of loving oneself despite other people's opinions.

Sabrina Von Bogenberg uses an abrasive Cockney dialect and awkward, clumsy posture to embody the poor flower girl Eliza Doolittle. As her character learns to be a lady, Von Bogenberg changes her physicality and dialect to a more proper style, but still shows her stubborn independence with her quick wit and sharp tongue. While Von Bogenberg uses her mastery of both dialects to her advantage, she is completely in character even when she isn't speaking. Her facial expressions show all of Eliza's thoughts and reactions.

Another standout is Chris Surridge as Henry Higgins. Surridge uses erratic gestures and a disdainful tone to show his childlike arrogance. Colonel Pickering, portrayed by Steele Burnand, provides a balance to Higgins's wild personality. Burnand is always involved in the scene, and there to support Von Bogenberg's character with reassuring looks and quiet charm.

Alfred Doolittle, played by Vita Muccia, provides a touch of comedy in otherwise serious scenes. Muccia's enegetic, masculine movements showcase her acting capabilities, even when playing a role of the opposite gender. The dynamic Muccia also appears as a gifted opera singer at the ball, revealing her stunning vocals.

Sound design by Mckennah Blue adds to the realism of the play. In the opening scene, Blue layers many sounds to set the scene of a crowded street in the rain. Gavin Lattimer, light designer, uses blues and purples in the same scene to show the weather and mood. Later, Lattimer uses lights to show the passage of time during scenes. Scene changes, overseen by stage managers Caroline Wilkes and Sam Wertheimer, are smooth and silent, despite the large, complex sets that require many changes. During these changes, Keishaun Burroughs skillfully provides beautiful violin music, creating a haunting motif.

Newport Harbor High School's actors use their deep connections to their characters to deliver a relevant message in their production of "Pygmalion," that happiness and social success come from respecting oneself.

Rachel Gray
El Dorado
Submitted for publication to OC Register

Newport Harbor's "Pygmalion" is blooming


Time travel is certainly tackled at Newport Harbor High School, as they transform their auditorium into the midst of British social hierarchy- 1917, in "Pygmalion." This thought provoking tale creates a looking glass into the world of two high-class men with a respected obsession for phonetics as they take on their biggest challenge yet: Eliza Doolittle.

Sabrina Von Bogenberg's portrayal of Eliza brilliantly captures the essence of a low-class woman with her solid cockney British accent and unstable posture. Her constant shifting and eye catching facial expressions command the stage and make for a sharp contrast as she transitions into a poised lady, equivalent to a royal duchess. As her dialect and physicality take a drastic turn, she makes sure to carry Eliza's pure disposition throughout.

Chris Surridge as Henry Higgins and Steele Burnand as Colonel Pickering, are quite the dynamic duo as they both embody the craving and passion for Eliza's transformation. With a felicitous accent and purposeful movements, Surridge radiantly portrays the "purely experimental" side of the duo, yet is still able to showcase various emotional levels as he reveals his true feelings. In contrast, Burnand is splendidly able to portray the side that always saw and treated Eliza as a real lady, with his emotionally invested facial expressions and voice.

Serafina Busa as Mrs. Higgins and Delaney McCulloch as Miss Pierce each auspiciously embody the different sources of influence on the character of Henry. Busa hysterically epitomizes the distinct relationship between mother and son with her critical facial expressions and posture as an obvious "hint" towards her mischievous son in the act of his wrongs; While McCulloch gracefully portrays the refined and grounded reminder to Henry.

Morgan Mathers' visual design, publicly showcased on playbills, shirts and posters, metaphorically captures the essence of Henry's "experiments." Depicting Eliza as a flower that is being "watered" by Henry is a brilliant interpretation of Eliza's reluctance to Henry's treatment of her. The metaphor of Eliza as the flower further contributes to this, as he only and always saw her as just the "flower girl," rather than a lady.

Exploring the power of influence and treatment of one another, Newport Harbor High School's "Pygmalion" serves as an extraordinary eye opener.

Rachel Gray
El Dorado
Submitted for publication to OC Register

Newport Harbor's "Pygmalion" is blooming


Time travel is certainly tackled at Newport Harbor High School, as they transform their auditorium into the midst of British social hierarchy- 1917, in "Pygmalion." This thought provoking tale creates a looking glass into the world of two high-class men with a respected obsession for phonetics as they take on their biggest challenge yet: Eliza Doolittle.

Sabrina Von Bogenberg's portrayal of Eliza brilliantly captures the essence of a low-class woman with her solid cockney British accent and unstable posture. Her constant shifting and eye catching facial expressions command the stage and make for a sharp contrast as she transitions into a poised lady, equivalent to a royal duchess. As her dialect and physicality take a drastic turn, she makes sure to carry Eliza's pure disposition throughout.

Chris Surridge as Henry Higgins and Steele Burnand as Colonel Pickering, are quite the dynamic duo as they both embody the craving and passion for Eliza's transformation. With a felicitous accent and purposeful movements, Surridge radiantly portrays the "purely experimental" side of the duo, yet is still able to showcase various emotional levels as he reveals his true feelings. In contrast, Burnand is splendidly able to portray the side that always saw and treated Eliza as a real lady, with his emotionally invested facial expressions and voice.

Serafina Busa as Mrs. Higgins and Delaney McCulloch as Miss Pierce each auspiciously embody the different sources of influence on the character of Henry. Busa hysterically epitomizes the distinct relationship between mother and son with her critical facial expressions and posture as an obvious "hint" towards her mischievous son in the act of his wrongs; While McCulloch gracefully portrays the refined and grounded reminder to Henry.

Morgan Mathers' visual design, publicly showcased on playbills, shirts and posters, metaphorically captures the essence of Henry's "experiments." Depicting Eliza as a flower that is being "watered" by Henry is a brilliant interpretation of Eliza's reluctance to Henry's treatment of her. The metaphor of Eliza as the flower further contributes to this, as he only and always saw her as just the "flower girl," rather than a lady.

Exploring the power of influence and treatment of one another, Newport Harbor High School's "Pygmalion" serves as an extraordinary eye opener.

Joyce Lee
Northwood
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Newport Harbor delights with a striking ‘Pygmalion'

Diving into the social constructs of 20th century Britain, Newport Harbor High School's production of "Pygmalion" artfully blends comedy with a tender tale of finding self-worth.

Eliza Doolittle, a lowly flower girl, finds her life upended when phonetics professor Henry Higgins bets that he can pass her off as a duchess by altering the way she talks. As she struggles in Higgins's harsh teachings, Eliza begins to wonder if the worth of a lady truly lies in social class.

Sabrina Von Bogenberg strides across the stage as the feisty Liza, her Cockney accent, constant slouch and flailing arms emphasizing her proud, yet naive attitude. After she learns court etiquette, however, her sudden exclamations and rough behavior are replaced by a picture of ladylike perfection: clasped hands, an upright posture and a lower, smoother voice.

Through erratic movements and incessant fidgeting, Chris Surridge cuts a distinctive figure as Higgins, his hunched posture and rapid speech characterizing him as an arrogant intellectual. Steele Burnand as Colonel Pickering counters him as a quiet man with a gentle demeanor and a surefooted dignity in his gait.

Vita Muccia as Alfred Doolittle, Liza's father, is blustering bravado at its best. With swaggering walk despite his low economic status, Muccia highlights Doolittle's roguish nature, offering Liza to the colonel and professor for five pounds, playfully prodding them in the shoulder and holding out her hands defensively as she does so.

Overall, the entire cast keeps consistent accents throughout the show, displaying a clear differentiation between the upper class "proper" accent and the lower class Cockney accent.

Lighting design by Gavin Lattimer accurately reflects each setting, swathing the stage in shades of blue and purple during a light rain, warm yellows within Higgins's house, and bright white at the ambassador's ball.

Considering the complexity and detail of the sets, scene changes are exceptionally swift and quiet. Particularly difficult scene changes are creatively executed by assorted cast members dancing off the stage with set pieces, accompanied by snippets of the song "The Blue Danube Waltz," played by violinist Keishaun Burroughs. Cues called by the stage management duo, Caroline Wilkes and Sam Wertheimer, are equally fluid.

Utilizing authentic accents and a cast of intriguing characters, Newport Harbor's interpretation of this enduring classic delights with a story of rising in the ranks and combating expectations, all with a dose of British sensibility.

Joyce Lee
Northwood
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Newport Harbor delights with a striking ‘Pygmalion'

Diving into the social constructs of 20th century Britain, Newport Harbor High School's production of "Pygmalion" artfully blends comedy with a tender tale of finding self-worth.

Eliza Doolittle, a lowly flower girl, finds her life upended when phonetics professor Henry Higgins bets that he can pass her off as a duchess by altering the way she talks. As she struggles in Higgins's harsh teachings, Eliza begins to wonder if the worth of a lady truly lies in social class.

Sabrina Von Bogenberg strides across the stage as the feisty Liza, her Cockney accent, constant slouch and flailing arms emphasizing her proud, yet naive attitude. After she learns court etiquette, however, her sudden exclamations and rough behavior are replaced by a picture of ladylike perfection: clasped hands, an upright posture and a lower, smoother voice.

Through erratic movements and incessant fidgeting, Chris Surridge cuts a distinctive figure as Higgins, his hunched posture and rapid speech characterizing him as an arrogant intellectual. Steele Burnand as Colonel Pickering counters him as a quiet man with a gentle demeanor and a surefooted dignity in his gait.

Vita Muccia as Alfred Doolittle, Liza's father, is blustering bravado at its best. With swaggering walk despite his low economic status, Muccia highlights Doolittle's roguish nature, offering Liza to the colonel and professor for five pounds, playfully prodding them in the shoulder and holding out her hands defensively as she does so.

Overall, the entire cast keeps consistent accents throughout the show, displaying a clear differentiation between the upper class "proper" accent and the lower class Cockney accent.

Lighting design by Gavin Lattimer accurately reflects each setting, swathing the stage in shades of blue and purple during a light rain, warm yellows within Higgins's house, and bright white at the ambassador's ball.

Considering the complexity and detail of the sets, scene changes are exceptionally swift and quiet. Particularly difficult scene changes are creatively executed by assorted cast members dancing off the stage with set pieces, accompanied by snippets of the song "The Blue Danube Waltz," played by violinist Keishaun Burroughs. Cues called by the stage management duo, Caroline Wilkes and Sam Wertheimer, are equally fluid.

Utilizing authentic accents and a cast of intriguing characters, Newport Harbor's interpretation of this enduring classic delights with a story of rising in the ranks and combating expectations, all with a dose of British sensibility.