Anatomy of Gray
at Los Alamitos High School

Reviewed on November 17, 2016

Leslie Arellano
Anaheim High School
Submitted for publication to OC Varsity Arts

"Anatomy of Gray" unfolds at Los Alamitos
written by Leslie Arellano, a junior at Anaheim High School

The haunting reality of a suspicious looking mark, high fever and a bloody cough are all symptoms that took the lives of the helpless townspeople of Gray, Indiana. People start questioning their beliefs and try to look for quick solutions to get out of this horrendous situation. Grab your soda pop's and join Los Alamitos High School as they show the true horrors of an unknown illness through the production of "Anatomy of Gray".

In a cozy little town of Gray, Indiana, June Muldoon narrates the story of the struggles the townspeople go through. June has just lost her father; she prays for a healer so no one will ever suffer again. While flying in a hot air balloon during a storm, a doctor crashes and lands in the town of Gray. As the peculiar illness spreads through the town, the townspeople begin to blame to doctor claiming he is marking everyone he touches.

Melanie Tanaka is the eager June Muldoon, a fifteen-year-old girl that wants nothing more than to relive happiness. Melanie's ability to switch from one emotion to another without disturbing the naturalness of June's character gives her strong control of her character. With some immature words spoken about Dr. Galen Gray, Melanie exhibits growth of maturity to her character over the course of the show. Brooke Harris as Rebekah Muldoon, easily conveys the emotion felt by her character when she pays a visit to her husband in the graveyard and mourns over her loss. She proclaims her motherly figure when she harshly raises her voice towards Jude and notices she has been affected. As the highly analytical, level minded Dr. Galen Gray, Zakk Hurt evokes every emotion through both body language and speech as his patients slip through his fingertips.

With different shades of color used, the time of day and season are easily recognized. The red lighting adds to the emotion of the loss of a fellow towns person. The transitions through each scene and shifts goes by smoothly over the course of the show.

Los Alamitos High School delivers a strong performance of the production "Anatomy of Grey". It covers many serious topics through which the cast remarkably demonstrates.

Leslie Arellano
Anaheim High School
Submitted for publication to OC Varsity Arts

"Anatomy of Gray" unfolds at Los Alamitos
written by Leslie Arellano, a junior at Anaheim High School

The haunting reality of a suspicious looking mark, high fever and a bloody cough are all symptoms that took the lives of the helpless townspeople of Gray, Indiana. People start questioning their beliefs and try to look for quick solutions to get out of this horrendous situation. Grab your soda pop's and join Los Alamitos High School as they show the true horrors of an unknown illness through the production of "Anatomy of Gray".

In a cozy little town of Gray, Indiana, June Muldoon narrates the story of the struggles the townspeople go through. June has just lost her father; she prays for a healer so no one will ever suffer again. While flying in a hot air balloon during a storm, a doctor crashes and lands in the town of Gray. As the peculiar illness spreads through the town, the townspeople begin to blame to doctor claiming he is marking everyone he touches.

Melanie Tanaka is the eager June Muldoon, a fifteen-year-old girl that wants nothing more than to relive happiness. Melanie's ability to switch from one emotion to another without disturbing the naturalness of June's character gives her strong control of her character. With some immature words spoken about Dr. Galen Gray, Melanie exhibits growth of maturity to her character over the course of the show. Brooke Harris as Rebekah Muldoon, easily conveys the emotion felt by her character when she pays a visit to her husband in the graveyard and mourns over her loss. She proclaims her motherly figure when she harshly raises her voice towards Jude and notices she has been affected. As the highly analytical, level minded Dr. Galen Gray, Zakk Hurt evokes every emotion through both body language and speech as his patients slip through his fingertips.

With different shades of color used, the time of day and season are easily recognized. The red lighting adds to the emotion of the loss of a fellow towns person. The transitions through each scene and shifts goes by smoothly over the course of the show.

Los Alamitos High School delivers a strong performance of the production "Anatomy of Grey". It covers many serious topics through which the cast remarkably demonstrates.

Josiah Haugen
Fullerton Union High School
Submitted for publication to OC Varsity Arts

Los Alamitos Heals with its Performance of Anatomy of Gray


With reflections to the AIDS crisis in America during the late 80's and early 90's, Anatomy of Gray follows a small Indiana town seeking to determine a sickness ravaging their homes. As the town's only doctor—Dr. Galen P. Gray—struggles to discover what might be causing the sickness, the townspeople begin to question the sanctity of Gray's work and the overall goodness of God. With themes such as grief and fate playing a leading role in the show, the play poses questions to the likes of "can one truly understand why things happen the way they do?" or "how might one react in times when no answer emerges?".

Leading the show as Dr. Gray, sophomore Zakk Hurt displays not only an understanding of his character, but also contains a persistent energy that carries from his first entrance to his final exit. Hurt consistently paces himself throughout the show, exhibiting great control while also pouring energy into areas of high intensity or significance.

Cambryelle Getter emerges as one of the show's standout performers complete with a strong, consistent dialect and a demanding presence. Playing the role of the pastor's sister, Tiny Wingfield, Getter grasps the audience's attention guiding them through a series of dramatic monologues and ending with the heart-wrenching death of her beloved character.

Though not playing an integral part in the show, Louie Gallagher shines as the lovable, young Homer. Gallagher portrays his character's crush on June Muldoon through a shrinking physicality whenever near June as well as an immovable focus ascribing to his overall charm and knowledge of his character.

Overall, the ensemble of the show possesses a strong focus on character driving every action. Told in the style of a memory play, actors seamlessly transition between their individual characters and narration, allowing the show to effortlessly stream on. During scenes when all actors were onstage, the ensemble adds to the overall mood of the scene through sincere reactions.

Technically, the show excels. Technical elements such as set headed by Cameron Alavrez and Gabriel Prunty, costumes by Alexis Turner, and props by Reese Lotts join together in order to aid the ensemble in the telling of the story. Though many designs are simple, the simplicity allows for an emphasis on the story itself instead of a dependency on its technical elements. Lighting design by Joe Rios perfectly complements the actions taking place on the stage through the use of dramatic colors and textures on the cyclorama while also holding a practical use by hinting to the time of day.

Through sickness and in health, Anatomy of Gray stands not only as a testament to human mortality but also to the love that perseveres through suffering.

Josiah Haugen
Fullerton Union High School
Submitted for publication to OC Varsity Arts

Los Alamitos Heals with its Performance of Anatomy of Gray


With reflections to the AIDS crisis in America during the late 80's and early 90's, Anatomy of Gray follows a small Indiana town seeking to determine a sickness ravaging their homes. As the town's only doctor—Dr. Galen P. Gray—struggles to discover what might be causing the sickness, the townspeople begin to question the sanctity of Gray's work and the overall goodness of God. With themes such as grief and fate playing a leading role in the show, the play poses questions to the likes of "can one truly understand why things happen the way they do?" or "how might one react in times when no answer emerges?".

Leading the show as Dr. Gray, sophomore Zakk Hurt displays not only an understanding of his character, but also contains a persistent energy that carries from his first entrance to his final exit. Hurt consistently paces himself throughout the show, exhibiting great control while also pouring energy into areas of high intensity or significance.

Cambryelle Getter emerges as one of the show's standout performers complete with a strong, consistent dialect and a demanding presence. Playing the role of the pastor's sister, Tiny Wingfield, Getter grasps the audience's attention guiding them through a series of dramatic monologues and ending with the heart-wrenching death of her beloved character.

Though not playing an integral part in the show, Louie Gallagher shines as the lovable, young Homer. Gallagher portrays his character's crush on June Muldoon through a shrinking physicality whenever near June as well as an immovable focus ascribing to his overall charm and knowledge of his character.

Overall, the ensemble of the show possesses a strong focus on character driving every action. Told in the style of a memory play, actors seamlessly transition between their individual characters and narration, allowing the show to effortlessly stream on. During scenes when all actors were onstage, the ensemble adds to the overall mood of the scene through sincere reactions.

Technically, the show excels. Technical elements such as set headed by Cameron Alavrez and Gabriel Prunty, costumes by Alexis Turner, and props by Reese Lotts join together in order to aid the ensemble in the telling of the story. Though many designs are simple, the simplicity allows for an emphasis on the story itself instead of a dependency on its technical elements. Lighting design by Joe Rios perfectly complements the actions taking place on the stage through the use of dramatic colors and textures on the cyclorama while also holding a practical use by hinting to the time of day.

Through sickness and in health, Anatomy of Gray stands not only as a testament to human mortality but also to the love that perseveres through suffering.

Lauren Jones
Mater Dei High School
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook Page

Marked by Los Alamitos High School

A tale of disease and confusion, Los Alamitos high school brilliantly shows their telling of Anatomy of Gray. This underrated show takes place in a very small town in the American south. Nothing interesting happens there until one day a mysterious doctor appears from the sky and starts caring for the townspeople. This care isn't well received when the people start blaming this doctor from heir diseases.

Played by Zakk Hurt, doctor Galen Gray is this miracle man that falls from the sky to save the town. Hurt perfectly encompasses his lovable yet firm character. He has amazing chemistry with everyone on stage whether it be a grumpy preacher or a love sick child, the character of gray is always comfortable with his scene partner, giving the play a more authentic feel. Another character who brings this authenticity to the stage is June Muldoon, portrayed by Melanie Tanaka. Tanaka shows a true understanding for her character and her emotions throughout the show. She has amazing comedic timing which brings laughter to this dark performance. Both Hurt and Tanaka are perfectly complemented by a small ensemble of townspeople. These people go above and beyond with their individualism and genuine reactions. Each person is their own character and has their own individual stories to tell rather than just playing along with the other members. This and every actor makes the show feel real and honest in every scene.

The actor's performance is strengthened by a beautiful yet minimalistic set. The players make perfect use of this small structure in stage which adds layers and levels to this show to make it truly come to life. Another amazing yet often overlooked element is the lighting design. Whether it be a genuine setting sun projected on the wall behind the stage or red lights everywhere to symbolize the incoming death, the lighting design perfectly adds to the mood without over shadowing what's happening on stage. The costumes on the actors themselves were also a brilliant accessory to the overall realism to the show. Each character is in a time period piece that exemplifies their personality and how people really would have dressed in that time.

Over all this performance is memorable and shows amazing understanding of the stage being used and of the play itself. With a combination of perfectly minimalistic set designs and a cast of talented actors who truly fit their part, this show is unforgettable.

Lauren Jones
Mater Dei High School
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook Page

Marked by Los Alamitos High School

A tale of disease and confusion, Los Alamitos high school brilliantly shows their telling of Anatomy of Gray. This underrated show takes place in a very small town in the American south. Nothing interesting happens there until one day a mysterious doctor appears from the sky and starts caring for the townspeople. This care isn't well received when the people start blaming this doctor from heir diseases.

Played by Zakk Hurt, doctor Galen Gray is this miracle man that falls from the sky to save the town. Hurt perfectly encompasses his lovable yet firm character. He has amazing chemistry with everyone on stage whether it be a grumpy preacher or a love sick child, the character of gray is always comfortable with his scene partner, giving the play a more authentic feel. Another character who brings this authenticity to the stage is June Muldoon, portrayed by Melanie Tanaka. Tanaka shows a true understanding for her character and her emotions throughout the show. She has amazing comedic timing which brings laughter to this dark performance. Both Hurt and Tanaka are perfectly complemented by a small ensemble of townspeople. These people go above and beyond with their individualism and genuine reactions. Each person is their own character and has their own individual stories to tell rather than just playing along with the other members. This and every actor makes the show feel real and honest in every scene.

The actor's performance is strengthened by a beautiful yet minimalistic set. The players make perfect use of this small structure in stage which adds layers and levels to this show to make it truly come to life. Another amazing yet often overlooked element is the lighting design. Whether it be a genuine setting sun projected on the wall behind the stage or red lights everywhere to symbolize the incoming death, the lighting design perfectly adds to the mood without over shadowing what's happening on stage. The costumes on the actors themselves were also a brilliant accessory to the overall realism to the show. Each character is in a time period piece that exemplifies their personality and how people really would have dressed in that time.

Over all this performance is memorable and shows amazing understanding of the stage being used and of the play itself. With a combination of perfectly minimalistic set designs and a cast of talented actors who truly fit their part, this show is unforgettable.