Rumors
at Capistrano Valley High School
Reviewed on November 3, 2016
| Name | School | Publication/Broadcasts |
Cassidy McCleary | San Clemente High School | OC Varsity Arts |
Cassidy McCleary | San Clemente High School | OC Varsity Arts |
Taylor Plett | Dana Hills High School (SOCSA) | OC Varsity Arts |
Taylor Plett | Dana Hills High School (SOCSA) | OC Varsity Arts |
Tyler Ashman | St. Margaret’s Episcopal School | OC Cappies Facebook Page |
Tyler Ashman | St. Margaret’s Episcopal School | OC Cappies Facebook Page |
Cassidy McCleary
San Clemente High School
Submitted for publication to OC Varsity Arts
Capo's Farcical Fun is No Rumor
by Cassidy McCleary,a senior at San Clemente High School
for OC Varisity Arts
Rumor has it, Capistrano Valley High school has put on a stunning production of Neil Simon's "Rumors". Capo's captivating comedy features the hilarious hijinks of four upper class couples forced to craft tales to cover up the trouble brewing at a party destined for disaster.
Holding down the fort at the ill-fated fete are Nico Zani and Sara Neal as Ken and Chris Gorman, the first guests to arrive. As the tension mounts between the guests and the law enforcement, both air out their stress with precisely timed comedic outbursts. Whether conveyed with ramrod straight posture and stuttering, stilted outbursts from Chris or deafening shouts from Ken stemming from an accidental case of impaired hearing, the Gormans' nervous energy buoys the frantic dynamism of the get-together.
Garrett Vallejo shines as Leonard Ganz, the slightly irritable, yet largely likeable invitee and confidant of Ken Gorman. His acting prowess shows, as he impersonates his missing host, Charlie. He perfectly embodies the completely fabricated persona of his absent friend, as he seemingly spontaneously weaves a ludicrous tale from thin air with purposeful gestures and strides that add to his convincing saga.
Bringing a zany gaiety to the affair are Madison Cole and Jordan Wanger, playing Cookie and Ernie Cusack. They provide hilarity with subtle changes in inflection juxtaposed with broad physical gestures; a chronic paralyzing back spasm or scalded hands pair with a flippant comment to bring realism to larger than life characters.
The production is tied together by expertly crafted technical elements. Henry Dittrich, Sarah Grulikowski, and Corbin Morrow create the effect of a car pulling up to the house with strategically placed lights that filter through the auditorium as if through a window. Each prop, designed by Emily Meledy and crew, resembles its real-life counterpart; various juices are perfectly color-matched to alcoholic beverages to magnify the naturalistic adult atmosphere of the anniversary party.
The set, constructed by Spencer Price and the stagecraft class, provides a beautiful backdrop to the action on stage. As the actors slam the doors or tromp up the stairs, the impeccably built façade stands strong and amplifies the luxury in the lives of the affluent invitees.
Capo's "Rumors" is an uproarious and heartwarming reminder of the ties of friendship that bind through all of life's ups and downs, no matter how crazy a story they seem.
Cassidy McCleary
San Clemente High School
Submitted for publication to OC Varsity Arts
Capo's Farcical Fun is No Rumor
by Cassidy McCleary,a senior at San Clemente High School
for OC Varisity Arts
Rumor has it, Capistrano Valley High school has put on a stunning production of Neil Simon's "Rumors". Capo's captivating comedy features the hilarious hijinks of four upper class couples forced to craft tales to cover up the trouble brewing at a party destined for disaster.
Holding down the fort at the ill-fated fete are Nico Zani and Sara Neal as Ken and Chris Gorman, the first guests to arrive. As the tension mounts between the guests and the law enforcement, both air out their stress with precisely timed comedic outbursts. Whether conveyed with ramrod straight posture and stuttering, stilted outbursts from Chris or deafening shouts from Ken stemming from an accidental case of impaired hearing, the Gormans' nervous energy buoys the frantic dynamism of the get-together.
Garrett Vallejo shines as Leonard Ganz, the slightly irritable, yet largely likeable invitee and confidant of Ken Gorman. His acting prowess shows, as he impersonates his missing host, Charlie. He perfectly embodies the completely fabricated persona of his absent friend, as he seemingly spontaneously weaves a ludicrous tale from thin air with purposeful gestures and strides that add to his convincing saga.
Bringing a zany gaiety to the affair are Madison Cole and Jordan Wanger, playing Cookie and Ernie Cusack. They provide hilarity with subtle changes in inflection juxtaposed with broad physical gestures; a chronic paralyzing back spasm or scalded hands pair with a flippant comment to bring realism to larger than life characters.
The production is tied together by expertly crafted technical elements. Henry Dittrich, Sarah Grulikowski, and Corbin Morrow create the effect of a car pulling up to the house with strategically placed lights that filter through the auditorium as if through a window. Each prop, designed by Emily Meledy and crew, resembles its real-life counterpart; various juices are perfectly color-matched to alcoholic beverages to magnify the naturalistic adult atmosphere of the anniversary party.
The set, constructed by Spencer Price and the stagecraft class, provides a beautiful backdrop to the action on stage. As the actors slam the doors or tromp up the stairs, the impeccably built façade stands strong and amplifies the luxury in the lives of the affluent invitees.
Capo's "Rumors" is an uproarious and heartwarming reminder of the ties of friendship that bind through all of life's ups and downs, no matter how crazy a story they seem.
Taylor Plett
Dana Hills High School (SOCSA)
Submitted for publication to OC Varsity Arts
Mystery lurks behind closed doors at Capistrano Valley
by Taylor Plett,a senior at Dana Hills High School(SOCSA)
for OC Varisty Arts
In a haphazard haze of secrets and mayhem, a long night tests how far one will go to avoid scandal when a reputation is at stake.
Brimming with slapstick humor and rollicking fun, Capistrano Valley's "Rumors" presents the Neil Simon farce as a madcap romp, complete with slamming doors and a slew of eccentric individuals.
When a couple arrives at a dinner party to find their host bleeding from a gunshot wound and the hostess and servants nowhere to be seen, their struggle to hide the mysterious situation from the other guests leaves rumors flying and people puzzling.
As the first guests to arrive, Chris and Ken Gorman (Sara Neal and Nico Zani) shift seamlessly from hysterics, volleying shouts of confusion from opposite ends of the house, to calm composure, speech even and smiles tight when other guests turn up. As the night spirals out of control, Neal remains the voice of reason amid the anxious partygoers -- until her own seams begin to unravel, her voice wavering and arms flailing as she joins in the accusations.
Claire and Leonard Ganz (Olivia Wolff and Garrett Vallejo) reveal the nutty inner workings of the elite, Vallejo tossing his limbs and wailing petulantly about his crashed BMW while Wolff pokes fun in a saucy taunt, arms crossed haughtily. As the scandal is revealed, Vallejo must pose as host to keep the secret from the police, enacting the night's events in an animated monologue that leaves him huffing from exertion and the audience's sides splitting.
Still, it's Cookie and Ernie Cusack (Madison Cole and Jordan Wanger) who steal the show as the resident oddballs among oddballs; Cole squirms in spasms across the floor and sprawls, panting across couches in dramatic demonstrations of her back pain, while Wanger poses as the soft-spoken optimist until police presence unlocks his fretful delirium, eyes wild and body jouncing at every sound.
Praise is due to Henry Dittrich, Sarah Grulikowski and Corbin Morrow for innovative light design; car headlights herald the arrival of each guest (and the added mayhem each brings with them), while a crystal chandelier enhances the backdrop of polished elegance that magnifies the guests' absurdity by contrast.
Capistrano Valley's "Rumors" presents the riddling romp with ardor, proving that the key to unlocking a mystery may be as near as the other side of a closed door.
Taylor Plett
Dana Hills High School (SOCSA)
Submitted for publication to OC Varsity Arts
Mystery lurks behind closed doors at Capistrano Valley
by Taylor Plett,a senior at Dana Hills High School(SOCSA)
for OC Varisty Arts
In a haphazard haze of secrets and mayhem, a long night tests how far one will go to avoid scandal when a reputation is at stake.
Brimming with slapstick humor and rollicking fun, Capistrano Valley's "Rumors" presents the Neil Simon farce as a madcap romp, complete with slamming doors and a slew of eccentric individuals.
When a couple arrives at a dinner party to find their host bleeding from a gunshot wound and the hostess and servants nowhere to be seen, their struggle to hide the mysterious situation from the other guests leaves rumors flying and people puzzling.
As the first guests to arrive, Chris and Ken Gorman (Sara Neal and Nico Zani) shift seamlessly from hysterics, volleying shouts of confusion from opposite ends of the house, to calm composure, speech even and smiles tight when other guests turn up. As the night spirals out of control, Neal remains the voice of reason amid the anxious partygoers -- until her own seams begin to unravel, her voice wavering and arms flailing as she joins in the accusations.
Claire and Leonard Ganz (Olivia Wolff and Garrett Vallejo) reveal the nutty inner workings of the elite, Vallejo tossing his limbs and wailing petulantly about his crashed BMW while Wolff pokes fun in a saucy taunt, arms crossed haughtily. As the scandal is revealed, Vallejo must pose as host to keep the secret from the police, enacting the night's events in an animated monologue that leaves him huffing from exertion and the audience's sides splitting.
Still, it's Cookie and Ernie Cusack (Madison Cole and Jordan Wanger) who steal the show as the resident oddballs among oddballs; Cole squirms in spasms across the floor and sprawls, panting across couches in dramatic demonstrations of her back pain, while Wanger poses as the soft-spoken optimist until police presence unlocks his fretful delirium, eyes wild and body jouncing at every sound.
Praise is due to Henry Dittrich, Sarah Grulikowski and Corbin Morrow for innovative light design; car headlights herald the arrival of each guest (and the added mayhem each brings with them), while a crystal chandelier enhances the backdrop of polished elegance that magnifies the guests' absurdity by contrast.
Capistrano Valley's "Rumors" presents the riddling romp with ardor, proving that the key to unlocking a mystery may be as near as the other side of a closed door.
Tyler Ashman
St. Margaret’s Episcopal School
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook Page
Capo's Rumors is a Rollicking Good Time
by Tyler Ashman,a senior at St. Margaret's Episcopal School
for OC Cappies Facebook
What happens when you mix a bunch of high-strung lawyers, socialites, celebrity chefs, and politicians and present them with a man who tries to commit suicide? Naturally, you scream, fight, and—most important of all—create as many elaborate lies as possible. This comprises the bulk of Capistrano Valley High School's production of "Rumors," the story of eight people covering up for their friend Charlie's attempted suicide. Their absurd, comedic antics bring them into conflict with one another, the police, and themselves.
Leading the cast is Sara Neal as Chris Gorman. Neal complements the high-strung intensity of the entire production (and especially characters like her husband, Ken Gorman [Nico Zani]) with her drunk persona. Though she opens at the same tempo as everyone else, she devolves into looseness as she staggers across the stage and slurs her words.
As a foil to Neal's character, Garrett Vallejo impresses as Leonard Ganz. He enters, screaming in agony, clutching his neck, as he complains about the car accident that destroyed his brand new BMW. He transforms from being simply a stock character, however, as he delivers an impressive five-minute monologue at the end of the show, making up an explanation for the murder as he impersonates Charlie.
Of all the odd couples, the most eccentric and entertaining is made up of Madison Cole and Jordan Wanger as Cookie and Ernie Cusack, respectively. Cole lights up the stage from the start, exhibiting her chronic back pain by pulling herself along the floor, grunting in pain. Wanger, on the other hand, maintains a slight affect to his voice accompanied by a subdued physicality in juxtaposition. However, as he becomes more and more frantic, he gesticulates more wildly as his voice rises to a fever pitch.
Equally as impressive as the performances are the student designed technical elements. The costumes, designed by Jasmine Kint and Alyssa Cook, effectively capture the essence of the characters. For example, Cookie's orange-and-green plaid dress reflects her eccentricity. Furthermore, the props, designed by Emilie Meledy, demonstrate an incredible attention to detail. From detailed gift boxes (filled with broken glass) to alcohol bottles with different colored juices to mimic the different drinks, they serve their function while adding great aesthetic appeal.
With superb storytelling, hysterical performances, and effective tech, the cast and crew of Capo's "Rumors" doesn't fail to entertain from start to finish.
Tyler Ashman
St. Margaret’s Episcopal School
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook Page
Capo's Rumors is a Rollicking Good Time
by Tyler Ashman,a senior at St. Margaret's Episcopal School
for OC Cappies Facebook
What happens when you mix a bunch of high-strung lawyers, socialites, celebrity chefs, and politicians and present them with a man who tries to commit suicide? Naturally, you scream, fight, and—most important of all—create as many elaborate lies as possible. This comprises the bulk of Capistrano Valley High School's production of "Rumors," the story of eight people covering up for their friend Charlie's attempted suicide. Their absurd, comedic antics bring them into conflict with one another, the police, and themselves.
Leading the cast is Sara Neal as Chris Gorman. Neal complements the high-strung intensity of the entire production (and especially characters like her husband, Ken Gorman [Nico Zani]) with her drunk persona. Though she opens at the same tempo as everyone else, she devolves into looseness as she staggers across the stage and slurs her words.
As a foil to Neal's character, Garrett Vallejo impresses as Leonard Ganz. He enters, screaming in agony, clutching his neck, as he complains about the car accident that destroyed his brand new BMW. He transforms from being simply a stock character, however, as he delivers an impressive five-minute monologue at the end of the show, making up an explanation for the murder as he impersonates Charlie.
Of all the odd couples, the most eccentric and entertaining is made up of Madison Cole and Jordan Wanger as Cookie and Ernie Cusack, respectively. Cole lights up the stage from the start, exhibiting her chronic back pain by pulling herself along the floor, grunting in pain. Wanger, on the other hand, maintains a slight affect to his voice accompanied by a subdued physicality in juxtaposition. However, as he becomes more and more frantic, he gesticulates more wildly as his voice rises to a fever pitch.
Equally as impressive as the performances are the student designed technical elements. The costumes, designed by Jasmine Kint and Alyssa Cook, effectively capture the essence of the characters. For example, Cookie's orange-and-green plaid dress reflects her eccentricity. Furthermore, the props, designed by Emilie Meledy, demonstrate an incredible attention to detail. From detailed gift boxes (filled with broken glass) to alcohol bottles with different colored juices to mimic the different drinks, they serve their function while adding great aesthetic appeal.
With superb storytelling, hysterical performances, and effective tech, the cast and crew of Capo's "Rumors" doesn't fail to entertain from start to finish.