Once in a Lifetime
at Oakton High School

Reviewed on November 11, 2016

Emma Rood
Herndon High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

Grab a Variety Magazine and crack open some Indian Nuts, because Oakton High School's production of "Once in a Lifetime" will take you back to the good old days of 1930's Hollywood. "Once in a Lifetime" charms audiences today just as it did in 1930, when it opened in the Music Box Theatre on Broadway as a play written by the duo Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman. Moss and Kaufman went on to write many more well-known shows together, but "Once in a Lifetime" was seen as their big break, going on to play for 406 performances when on Broadway.

The story follows a failing vaudeville act consisting of Jerry Hyland, May Daniels, and George Lewis on their journey to success in the movie industry right at the start of the "talking picture" era. Jerry independently sells the act, forcing the three of them to move West for better opportunities, where they get help from popular gossip columnist Helen Hobart to start an elocution school where actors can learn how to speak. As they make friends and enemies in the big industry of Hollywood, our three heroes fall in love, lose jobs, make movies, and eat Indian Nuts; lots and lots of Indian Nuts.

Anna Goodin positively shone in the role of the fearless heroine May Daniels, infusing the character with spunk and fire that defined and created a unique personality that was eye catching and mesmerizing. Alongside Goodin was Rob Warrick as Jerry Hyland who, playing the "straight man", was strong yet sleazy with his Hollywood businessman attitude. The relationship between the two characters was very realistic and mature, which gave the show a cutting edge to the show and reality. An audience favorite was Hunter Carrico as George Lewis, loveable yet not the brightest. Carrico's comedic timing was golden, but what was impressive was the fact that he wasn't all funny; George's character had emotion and grew throughout the show instead of just being there for the laughs. Other characters added color through the show in small details, and made even a slight walk-on a funny little bit. The supporting actors and ensemble were focused and dedicated to their characters, having strong personalities and character choices that kept the audience interested and delighted.

The show used the Hollywood theme in tech too; during set changes, the set transformed into a Hollywood movie location. Changes were smooth and precise and the set was vivid and interesting to look at. Costumes were also beautiful, as they were very realistic for the period. Adding a lot to the show were the props--be it a movie camera or Indian Nuts, it added flair.

Oakton High School's production of "Once in a Lifetime" is a unique and delightful show, giving a glimpse into the grittiness of the Hollywood scene. Freshly amusing and sometimes strikingly powerful, the young actors dug into their characters and techs brought out the best elements to make this show something one will only truly see once in a lifetime.

Sierra Carrillo
South Lakes High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

The stage lights of New York to Hollywood were shining bright on Oakton High School's production of "Once in a Lifetime." This fast-paced and hilarious play captures the fame-driven era of vaudeville and talking pictures. From the radiant characters to the elaborate props, this show exudes enthusiasm.

Written in 1929 by the newly formed team of Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman, this snapshot of the fame as Hollywood rolled into the 1930s continues to delight audiences today. The plot follows a failed vaudeville act featuring the trio of May Daniels, George Lewis and Jerry Hyland, played in this production by Anna Goodin, Hunter Carrico and Rob Warrick, respectively. At the advent of talking pictures, the trio packs its bags and sets off for Hollywood to make their fortunes – by any means necessary. Fast-talking their way into positions at the film studio, the trio jumps right into the world of glitz and glamor.

Capturing the era beautifully, Oakton High School's production sparkled with vibrant sets, authentic costumes and elaborate props. By seamlessly transitioning the scenes as if the audience was on a movie set, the stage crew succeeded in bringing old Hollywood to life. Complementing the detailed set, costumes fitted for the glamorous 20s and 30s graced both the male and female characters, transporting the audience once again. Also notable, the wide array of props used throughout the show stretching from real stage lights to Lewis' never ending Indian nuts.

Hunter Carrico shined bright, bringing a childish exuberance to the comical role of George Lewis through his subtle mannerisms and spot on physicality. Carrico uplifted the show with his impeccable comic timing and his range of innocent to passionate monologues. May Daniels, portrayed by Anna Goodin, kept Lewis grounded in their sibling-like relationship. Goodin demanded focus with strong character development and graceful stage presence. The last part of the trio Jerry Hyland, presented by Rob Warrick, slipped into the Hollywood lifestyle and convincingly embodied the dream of fame.

Highly enjoyable performances included those of Herman Glogauer, Lawrence Vail, and Susan Walker, played by Joe Walker, Max Torti, and Emma Macaluso. Walker provided a strong and passionate performance while persuasively portraying an intimidating businessman with Hollywood swagger; Torti displayed the impressive range of his character from an exasperated madman to a happy and accepting spectator; and Macaluso encapsulated the innocent, star-struck ingénue focused on her dreams of making it in the big city.

From Indian nuts to Hollywood premieres, Oakton High School presented a charming and delightful journey through fame, love, loss and unexpected twists and turns that left the audience feeling at home in Hollywood.

Evelyn Rice
Flint Hill School
Submitted for publication to FCPS Community News

Gorgeous costumes, talking pictures, and two thousand airplanes…what could this possibly be, you ask? Why, Oakton High School's production of Once in a Lifetime of course!

Once in a Lifetime was written in 1929 by Moss Hart, and would turn out to be the first of many successes for the playwright. The comedy opens on three struggling vaudevillian stars: Jerry Hyland, May Daniels, and George Lewis. They are doing just fine trying to "make it" on stage, until Jerry sells their act in a sudden declaration that the real money is in talking pictures. The three head out to Hollywood, where they set up a school on the art of elocution, leading them to meet the gossip columnist Helen Hobart, narcissistic film mogul Herman Glogauer, and ditzy aspiring actress and George's love interest Susan Walker. Through a series of misadventures and near failures, George shoots a movie with no lights, the wrong plot, and inaudible dialogue due to the sound of his cracking Indian nuts; yet he is declared a movie genius ushering in a new period of film.

The cast's unwavering energy and vitality, along with perfectly timed sarcastic lines, brought this show to life. Each character in the sometimes crazy play was eccentric but still able to maintain his originality. Hunter Carrico did an excellent job of portraying George's childish side, making a character that, despite his naivety, was somehow charming rather than ridiculous. His relationship with May Daniels, played by Anna Goodin, was almost that of a brother and sister. Goodin's portrayal of May as the alpha-female and voice of reason radiated within the theatre. Max Torti did a great job as Lawrence Vail, a character who experiences the most extreme change of all, from that of a fed-up, slightly mad playwright to a calm man comforting May on the train.

The elaborate, period-specific costumes were a great success--fitting the characters perfectly. The over-the-top glitz of Helen Hobart's sequined outfits, the transition from dowdy clothes to nice outfits for the three main cast, and the detailed cigarette girls' skirts helped the audience better understand the characters and were truly a joy to see. Though at times it was hard to see the actors due to a combination of turned backs and not being in the light, the overall energy of all the characters and expressive faces made up for it. The play had many sets, something that would be daunting for most high schools, but not for Oakton. The various scenes, including a train car, Hollywood hotel, and film studio, were anchored by their detailed sets. The meticulous use of props, such as an old fashioned phone and real Indian nuts, did not go unnoticed by the audience, and added tremendously to the overall production.

With the craziness of the many sets, costumes, and multiple characters speaking at once, Once in a Lifetime is a truly difficult production for a high school, but Oakton pulled it off effectively and with humor that resonated with the audience despite the fact that it was written nearly ninety years ago.

Cecily Wolfe
Flint Hill School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

Want to make it in the talking picture business? Simply hop on a train to California, fashion a career as an elocution expert, compulsively eat Indian nuts, and buy two thousand airplanes. After all, "the whole business is in the hands of incompetents," although Oakton High School's Once in a Lifetime cast was anything but incompetent. First seen on September 24, 1930 at the Music Box Theatre in New York City, Once in a Lifetime is a spirited comedy by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman that sweeps the audience up in the pitfalls of the first "talkies," or movies with sound, a booming but flawed industry in the early 1930s. With a slew of kooky characters, including ex-vaudevillians turned "elocution experts" Jerry Hyland, May Daniels, and George Lewis; slow-witted and mildly atrocious actress Susan Walker; wealthy filmmaker Herman Glogauer; nearly insane playwrights; and vocally-challenged movie stars, Oakton's production of Once in a Lifetime scrubbed away the cares of today with a fine sheen of sharp-witted, satirical remarks and hilarious antics.


The cast sped through the show in a lively fashion, spitting out words at an energetic pace, yet also taking the time for serious moments. May Daniels (played by Anna Goodin) served as the rock for the eccentric show, with her authoritative tone; no-nonsense pacing; and professional attitude. Both the brains and the mother of the group, Goodin contrasted sensibility with a reassuring hand and advice for George Lewis (Hunter Carrico) and sensitive, searching glances for her love interest, Jerry Hyland (Rob Warrick). Warrick's performance offered consistency and relatability with the Hollywood-dazzled Jerry. Carrico established himself as an enjoyable comedic presence, cracking Indian nuts, piping up in a child-like voice, and wandering in a dazed and curious manner. He easily flipped back and forth between tantrums and charmingly awkward interactions with his darling Susan Walker (Emma Macaluso), who portrayed the ignorant and appalling actress with vacant smiles and mechanical gestures.


Other cast members portrayed numerous satirical stock characters. Joe Walker (Herman Glogauer) embodied the constantly busy filmmaker, shouting commands gruffly and stalking in a controlled frenzy. Of course, Hollywood would not be complete without a struggling playwright and a director from Germany, known as Lawrence Vail (Max Torti) and Rudolph Kammerling (Sean Frankel), respectively. Torti exhibited versatility through violent, hysterical outbursts over the hollowness of films and rational, agreeable conversation, while Frankel's brusque German accent and abrupt directives were another welcome source of sardonic outrageousness.


The flurry of activity and constant chatter of the ensemble recreated a bustling set where actresses Phillis Fontaine (Emma Hopp) and Florabel Leigh (Anne Kutnya) cannot speak without squeaking or lisping; gossip columnist Helen Hobart (Mary Alison Carrico) floats about; secretary Miss Leighton (Kelly Billadeau) rushes around decisively; and actors, crew, and workers hurry from place to place with supposedly important agendas. Well-made, period costumes and props added to the charade of a 1930s studio, ranging from practical and sequined dresses to short trousers, plaid socks, and business suits, and a collapsible camera to an old-fashioned telephone.


In short, Oakton High School's Once in a Lifetime deftly constructed a tale of success in the most unlikely of ways, leaving the audience with hearts full of laughter and a wish that preposterous situations could always work out in such a wonderfully zany way.

Rylie Smedley
West Springfield High School
Submitted for publication to Connection

Follow the trail of Indian nuts to see Oakton High School's Once in a Lifetime! The play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart follows three characters as they try to profit from 1928 Hollywood's switch from silent film to talkies. The play has been done all over and was even made into a movie. A satire on the way Hollywood is run, Once in a Lifetime will have you laughing at all the character's antics.

Oakton's play was brought to life by a dedicated ensemble who was always in character throughout. It is hard to do a play with so many sets but all the sets were well done and realistic. The two leads were likeable and entertaining through their different challenges in the show.

One of the leads Anna Goodin fit the role of May Daniels like a glove. She truly shined in Act 3 in a scene opposite Lawrence Vail, played by Max Torti. George Lewis, also a lead portrayed by Hunter Carrico, was amusing and embarrassing because of the mistakes George makes throughout the show. Carrico did a great job with the character and his trail of nuts through Hollywood.

A series of interesting characters was used to support the world of Hollywood. Max Torti, depicting Lawrence Vail, well only having a few scenes in the play killed it. Torti worked incredibly well opposite Anna Goodin and Hunter Carrico and was able to play his character's opposite moods without a single mistake. Emma Macaluso as Susan Walker was endearing and farcical with her reciting of a poem, Boots. The ensemble did a fantastic job of making the show work. Their commitment no matter the scene made the play feel realistic and often brought along a laugh with them.

The sets, costumes, and props transported the audience back to 1928. The sets were all done nicely especially considering how many sets are in the play. Props, like old telephones or cameras, were used well in completing the image needed for the play. The costumes were all well done and seemed fitting to the time. The cigarette girl's costume, which used roller-skates and a clear skirt with cigarettes showing through, was incredibly creative and unique.

Oakton High School's Once in a Lifetime is not only fun and playful but, examines Hollywood and the rise to stardom, something that is still relevant even today.

Elizabeth Waldt
West Springfield High School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

Lights, Camera, Action! Once in a Lifetime tell the story of three best friends trying to make it in 1930's Hollywood.

A satirical comedy written in 1929, Once in a Lifetime opened on Broadway in 1930 and ran for a full 406 performances. This play, written by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman, was later adapted into a Universal Studios film starring Jack Oakie and Sidney Fox. A team of three best friends, George Lewis, May Daniels, and Jerry Hyland, decide to dump their failing vaudeville act and move out to California and start a voice school for new actors. Little did they know, they're in for a lot more than they bargained for.

Anna Goodin portrayed the brains of the trio, a young woman named May Daniels. Goodin commanded the stage with her strong, confident voice. She had incredibly realistic chemistry with her costars, Hunter Carrico (George Lewis) and Rob Warrick (Jerry Hyland), that made it seem as if they had been friends for years. Lewis entertained the crowd with his loud outbursts and obsession with eating "Indian nuts." Rob Warrick played perhaps the sternest character in this production. His down to Earth portrayal was a great contrast to the other quirky Hollywood figures and added a lot of dimension to the cast.

One of the greatest aspects of Oakton's performance was their committed ensemble of young and hungry actors. These rising Hollywood stars will do anything to get their big break. This includes waiting tables and (of course) mobbing celebrities, both of which this ensemble did without a hint of resistance. The cohesiveness of the rising stars helped to pull together all the different aspects of the show. Finlay Kuester, playing Weisskopf the German producer, had comedic timing that didn't miss a beat. He was not scared to make a big character choice, yelling in his consistent German accent throughout the production.

Since Once in a Lifetime is set in the 1930's, Oakton High School was challenged to find and create historically accurate costumes. Costume heads Mallory Hipp, Kiki Kraiger, and Jacquelyn Nanko did a fantastic job at portraying the period through clothes. Actresses flaunted long, flapper-style dresses on stage, while men went for dapper brown and black suits. Special effects like smoke and train whistles transported the audience into the world of the play. With the excellent technical work of the OHS crew, it was hard to feel as if you weren't in 1930!

Once in a Lifetime is a hilarious comedy making light of Hollywood in the earliest twentieth century. Oakton's cast and crew did an amazing job at portraying the glitz and glam of such an elusive business. Like they say in Hollywood- a little showbiz never hurt anyone!