Dogfight
at West Potomac High School

Reviewed on November 4, 2017

John Stamper
Westfield High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

"Semper fi, do or die!" is the war cry that resonated with everyone witnessing the gut-wrenching battle in the West Potomac theater. Dogfight powerfully portrayed the bravado, cruelty and dehumanizing effects of war. The superb lighting, booming sound, and impressive musical harmonies immersed the audience in a theatrical experience demonstrating the importance of love and humility in overcoming hate and violence.

Set in the heat of the Vietnam War in November 1963, the plot focuses on three Marines named Eddie Birdlace, Bernstein, and Borland. These men are close as brothers and set out for a wild night of adventure in San Francisco the night before they deploy. The men participate in a "dogfight" to see who can bring the ugliest date to a party. Despite the humiliating nature of the dance, Eddie falls in love with the gentle, modest Rose Fenny only to ship out the next day. He soon experiences the abominations of warfare: bullets whizzing by, bombs dropping from the sky, and friends dying in front of him. He is utterly transformed and when, ultimately reunited with Rose, they mourn for the loss of friends and their true humanity.

Dogfight is anchored on strong chemistry between castmates, high energy, and spectacular lighting and sound. The jarheads illustrate raunchy banter through vulgarity, all of which is built on inappropriate behavior. The cast delivered on the challenge of a multitude of physically and vocally taxing songs with vigor and excitement, which displays the breadth of the cast's musical talent. In addition, the precise and quick lighting changes in the entire production constructed diverse moods, thus complementing the diversity of emotions on stage.

Once Eddie returns from war, he is a fundamentally transformed man. Josh Stein displayed this change effectively, accurately depicting PTSD and its atrocious symptoms. Stein wowed the audience with an impressive upper range and falsetto in multiple songs. Sophia Farino (Rose Fenny) also shows off her talent by playing the guitar live on stage along with astonishing vocals.

The band of brothers were a pivtotal ensemble, with Tony Lemus playing tough guy Boland and Julian Worth portraying perverted, yet reluctant Bernstein. Lemus created a southern accent for his character and displayed powerful vocals. Worth brought high energy to the stage, particularly in the dance numbers. The men were bonded by their shared experiences on and off the battlefield.

The technicalities in Dogfight were like a cherry on top of a perfect sundae. The clear-cut light and sound cues augmented the musical's intriguing mood. All of the technical aspects were formulated completely by students and took an astonishing 13 hours to assemble. The attention to detail with an extensive 110 microphone cues and 102 sound effects made the action on stage seem realistic.

Dogfight was a powerful demonstration of the significant physical and emotional effects of war. Soldiers made tremendous sacrifices for their country and were faced with difficult choices. The audience was drawn to their vulnerability and rooted for them to prevail even with understanding the sociopolitical climate of the time. This powerful musical proved that there is not a happy ending to every story, but it is a worthy goal to seek compassion and love.

Gabriella Mancusi
South County High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

The Marine with the ugliest date wins the pot! As a rowdy group of Marines prepare for deployment, the men of the Beyond the Page Theatre Company take to the streets of San Francisco for their last night of freedom in West Potomac's production of "Dogfight".

Based on the 1991 film of the same name starring River Phoenix and Lili Taylor, the musical "Dogfight", which featured music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul and was directed by Joe Mantello, opened Off-Broadway in 2012. The musical centers around a band of Marines in 1963 who organize an event known as the Dogfight the night before being shipped to Vietnam. Each Marine bet fifty dollars and attempts to find the ugliest date and win the pot. Eddie Birdlace woos a young, naive, and socially awkward woman named Rose Fenny for his shot at the money, but quickly begins to question his participation. As the night proceeds, Eddie becomes torn between his devotion to his brotherly pals and his guilt and developing feelings for the innocent and sweet Rose.

Josh Stein leads the show as Eddie Birdlace with masterful emotional depth. He seems strong and guarded around his Marine buddies, but begins to show a sincerity and softness throughout the night with Rose. Additionally, his transformation from tough and hopeful before battle to the broken, grief-ridden, and dejected soldier returning from war is heartbreakingly believable. His chemistry with Sophia Farino as Rose Fenny is adorably awkward. Despite their seeming incompatibility at the beginning, Rose and Eddie's attraction and trust in each other somehow becomes believable and the two actors' voices blended effortlessly and beautifully.

A clear standout performer is Tony Lemus as Boland. At first glance he seems harsh and unfeeling, but Lemus brings a sense of depth to his character. As he reprimands Bernstein for not acting like a man, he alludes more fear than cruelty. Another standout is Lorna Ryan as Marcy. With strong vocals, a consistent, clear accent, and effortless comedic timing, she expertly portrays the hardened and self-pitying character.

At the center of the show is a trio of Marines who call themselves the Three Bees. They include Birdlace, Boland, and Bernstein played by Julian Worth. The three actors have great chemistry complete with playful rowdiness and brotherly teasing. The Three Bees and the other Marines work well as an ensemble with their execution of complex choreography and their authentic militaristic physicality that makes the show believable. Even though the men make some morally questionable choices, the audience can still sympathize with them and understand the difficulty of their situation.

Almost every tech crew stands out with their attention to detail and commitment to historical accuracy. With limited space, the set crew allowed for many creative directorial elements with a two-story stage representing the golden gate bridge and a thrust stage which immerses the audience into the story. Although the crews work well on their own, their true talent is in their collaborative efforts. The battle scene in the second act is a clear example of this. Complete with surround sound bomb effects, strobe lighting, and smoke vents on the stage, the audience is immersed in the action.

West Potomac's production of "Dogfight" is a poignant account of the Vietnam War Era. Talented individuals as actors and tech members help to tell this touching story of love and devotion while revealing the horrors of war and returning to a home that has turned its back. They collaborate well and leave the audience laughing, crying, and wanting more.

Aubrey Winger
Loudoun Valley High School
Submitted for publication to FCPS Community News

The reverberations of an acoustic guitar filled the space as the audience filed into the West Potomac High School Theatre. Soldiers stood twiddling their thumbs, shooting cheesy pickup lines and flirtatious smiles while directing the crowd to their seats. As the lights dimmed and a Marine barked over the loudspeaker, the anticipation was almost tangible. The audience was ready to see a Dogfight.

Dogfight is an adaption of the 1991 movie of the same name, with music and lyrics written by the Oscar and Tony award-winning duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. Although it never made a Broadway debut, this show is widely known for addressing the underlying social issues of Vietnam Era America. It follows young Rose Fenny, who is invited to a party by a handsome Marine only to realize that it was a ruse to cover up the "Dogfight": a contest between the young jarheads to see who could bring the ugliest girl.

Sophia Farino used her sweet, alluring voice to create the meek waitress Rose Fenny. After discovering the horrendous nature of the Dogfight, she came into her own, defending her honor and showing that love and compassion can make a difference to even the most damaged. Her sly sense of humor and wide-eyed facial expressions set her apart from the sleazy Marcy (Lorna Ryan), who sauntered about the stage. Apart from her broken teeth she was a true temptress.

Eddie Birdlace (Josh Stein) showed remarkable dexterity, transitioning from a brash, womanizing soldier with no concern for the future to a broken veteran, tortured by the memories of his fallen friends. His devastating final number "Come Back" overflowed with raw emotion, leaving the entire audience in shock. Him and his buddies, otherwise known as "The Three Bees", may have seemed like brothers roughhousing on the stage, but their personalities could not have been more distinct. Boland (Tony Lemus) coupled his aggressive sense of superiority with a thick Southern drawl, while Bernstein (Julian Worth) truly represented the immaturity and youth of the soldiers with his utter lack of sexual experience.

With a cast of only twelve actors, each individual performance was absolutely stunning. However, the camaraderie between the soldier ensemble and the electric chemistry between Eddie and Rose made every moment unforgettable. The soldiers' vivacity and surprising dexterity with chairs in "Some Kind of Time" was a perfect contrast to the ensemble's soft, heart-wrenching renditions of "Take Me Back". Every piece of choreography, whether it be military movement or dance, was flawless.

The cataclysmic battle scene seemed like something straight out of a Broadway production. Smoke piped through grates strategically placed on the floor of the stage mimicked explosions, while the intense strobe and sound effects made it feel as if the audience was fighting for their lives alongside the actors.

Dogfight's tech crew fully immersed the audience in the 1960's. Every element, from handmade period dresses to meticulously designed hair and makeup was completely authentic. The abundance of quick changes, especially the addition of a tattoo onto Eddie's arm during the battle sequences, showed the adaptability of the actors and the prowess of the tech crew. The unique decision to add an additional thrust segment to the stage gave the entire production an incomparable level of intimacy, while the second story addition of "the Golden Gate Bridge" was easily incorporated into a variety of scenes, culminating with Rose and Eddie watching the fog roll into the bay, illuminated by a backdrop of twinkling stars.

West Potomac High School made the audience wish that this was not Dogfight's "Last Date" but its "First Date".

Hunter Slingbaum
James Madison High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

A five-piece band, a trio of marines, and an awkward girl with her guitar? Sounds like some kinda time! Anyone in the audience of West Potomac High School's production of Dogfight can attest that it wasn't "just a party", but a spectacular performance that rivals the professionals, leaving nearly every audience member in tears.

Dogfight was composed by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, also composers of Edges and Dear Evan Hansen, with a book written by Peter Duchan. Critically acclaimed, yet highly underrated, Dogfight is musical that debuted off-Broadway in 2012, following the story of a Vietnam-bound marine's last night in the United States. The plot centers around the dogfight, a dance where marines try to get the ugliest girl to be their date, in order to win a cash prize. Focused on three marines in particular, known as the "Three Bees", one of them stumbles upon a little diner, where works a wacky, not-so-pretty waitress named Rose.

Stunning the crowd with their impassioned performances, Eddie Birdlace (Josh Stein) and Rose Fenny (Sophia Farino) lit up the stage with their growing chemistry. Stein displayed considerable maturation throughout the show, gradually distancing himself from his Three Bees up until the last moment, causing his following actions to be that much more painful. His flash of complete physical and mental breakdown during the war sequence was immensely harrowing, forcing waterworks from those in the crowd. Farino brought an innocent charm to the part of Rose, pouring her heart into every song. Though not as technically precise, her vocals heavily incorporated acting elements, making Rose feel exceptionally realistic. Together, they were a charming duo, particularly in the dinner scene, when Rose is told that Eddie can't pay for his own meal. The silent communication between the two during that scene spoke louder than any line could, drawing us further into their world.

The supporting cast also had no shortage of talent. Boland (Tony Lemus) maintained a powerful aura throughout the show, capturing that demeanor of a jock turned marine. His date to the dogfight, Marcy (Lorna Ryan), also outstandingly took on her role. Her vocal ability stunned the audience, and her demeanor was as sleazy as could be. Both Lemus and Ryan consistently managed difficult accents, while also remaining clear enough to be understood. Another impressive performance came out of Bernstein (Julian Worth), who is the last member of the Three Bees. Dependably displaying his dancing ability, Worth was always sharp and energetic in his movements, fully exemplifying the nervously excited and naïve character that he played.

Though the leads were all stunning in their own right, it would be criminal to not mention the performance of the ensemble of the Jarheads. Including, but not limited to, the Three Bees, the marines blew the audience out of the water with powerful harmonization and explosive energy. Every moment it felt like they could jump right into the audience, yet every action was performed with the control to avoid that possible mishap.

Technical elements of the show were not lacking either. A minimalistic, yet highly detailed set (Elaine Phalen, Logan Claussen, Max Schooler), remarkably precise and multipurpose props (Alanna Belmont, Sophia Plaushin, Tessa Madar), and stunning lights with special effects displays (Jessica Steadman, Kayla Claussen) created an immersive experience for those lucky enough to attend. There truly wasn't a lacking technical element throughout the performance.

So, while you may not want to be invited to a real-life dogfight, it's always a joy to join West Potomac's production of Dogfight. With immersive tech and fiery performances, the show left all in attendance permanently moved.

Alannah Rivera
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to FCPS Student Voice

Three Bees, two lovers, and one unforgettable night. In West Potomac High School's production of Dogfight, the high-energy, immersive experience was most certainly "some kinda time," as the cast and crew expertly produced an extremely well-done production, similar to that of a professional theatre company.

Based on a 1991 film of the same name, Dogfight premiered Off-Broadway in 2012, but had an extremely limited run, never making it to Broadway. The show won two Lucille Lortel Awards, including Outstanding Musical. The story, set in San Francisco during the Vietnam War, follows a raucous group of U.S. Marines on their last night before they ship out to war. The Marines have a game called a dogfight, where each Marine puts in money, and whoever takes the ugliest girl on a date wins the pot. However, Private Eddie Birdlace ends up falling for his date, and as the night goes on, changing opinions cause Birdlace great emotional turmoil.

As Eddie Birdlace, the lead Marine, Josh Stein stunned the audience with his clear vocals and charismatic personality. Birdlace goes through an extreme emotional arc throughout the show, and Stein did a fantastic job with clearly developing Birdlace's different persona in every scene. Opposite Stein, Sophia Farino shone in the role of Rose Fenny, a waitress with big dreams and a big heart. Farino's sweet and airy voice fit the role perfectly, namely in the song "Pretty Funny," and her physicality and inflection perfectly embodied her shy and awkward character. Birdlace's bellicose nature and Rose's pacifist energy may seem to collide, but both Stein and Farino's voices and personalities blended together perfectly, and the development of their relationship onstage seemed genuine, not forced.

Alongside Birdlace stand Boland (Tony Lemus) and Bernstein (Julian Worth), and together, these three bees embodied the immature, yet strong fraternal bond that many soldiers share with one another, right up until the very end. A standout, Lorna Ryan as Marcy, wowed with her powerhouse belting vocals during the song "It's a Dogfight," and her vixen-like attitude carried through both her voice and physicality, inspiring Rose to stand up for herself against the sexism she faced from Birdlace.

Every single technical element of the show worked very well together, creating a seemingly simplistic yet impactful and effective mood and setting. The set, reminiscent of the Golden Gate Bridge, was beautifully constructed with great attention to detail, right down to the painting of each individual bolt. Additionally, the construction of a thrust stage greatly added to the immersive experience, allowing for more dimension and intimacy in scenes. The costuming was superb, perfectly capturing the classicality of the ‘60s, as each costume was authentic to the time. Despite the occasional microphone difficulty, the sound quality was impeccable, and every level was balanced very well considering the locations of where the sound was supposed to be coming from.

Dogfight provides commentary on numerous sociocultural issues such as the objectification of women, but the company handled them very maturely, and even held talks about said issues after the shows to spread awareness, enforcing the need to end sexism in today's society. All in all, Dogfight was positively a show that was "nothing short of wonderful"!

Julia Tucker
Westfield High School
Submitted for publication to Insidenova - Sun Gazette

The low rumble of a bus carries a broken marine back to San Francisco after four years of fighting in Vietnam. Haunted by his experiences, he remembers his last night before leaving. He recounts this life-changing night, recalling the dogfight, the three bees, and… Rose. This past weekend West Potomac High School exhibited morals, values, love, and forgiveness in their marvelous production of Dogfight.

Dogfight was originally made as a movie in 1991 before being converted to an off-Broadway musical in 2012. In 2013, it won two Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Choreographer and Outstanding Musical. Set during the Vietnam War, Dogfight opens with a group of marines who have one night left before being sent overseas. They decide that on their last night, they will have a Dogfight; a cruel, disgusting bet where each marine competes to find the most unattractive girl and whoever wins gets the dough. Eddie Birdlace participates in this event, finding a sweet girl named Rose who is oblivious to the fact she is being judged as an object. Eddie realizes he is in the wrong, but doesn't know if there's any way to correct his mistake

Beginning as a hotheaded marine, then becoming a broken, hollowed out shell of a person is no easy feat to accomplish, but Josh Stein as Eddie Birdlace triumphed in the role. His brash and overzealous demeanor at the start of the musical is shown in his foul use of language with sharp facial expressions to accompany his words. He exhibited outstanding vocal skill in songs such as "Some Kinda Time" and the heartbreaking "Take Me Back". The shy but bold Rose was played by Sophia Farino. Stein and Farino showed marvelous synergy in their beautiful harmonic singing, shown in "First Date, Last Date".

Eddie's rash marine friend Boland was played by Tony Lemus. Lemus used a light accent which provided depth to his character and showed the effort he contributed to developing his role. Boland's confident and self-assured Dogfight date Marcy was portrayed by Lorna Ryan. She displayed impeccable comedic timing with her well-developed physicality. Her voice was extremely impressive, and she exuded confidence in using it. Her strong voice stole the spotlight in "Dogfight" leaving the audience in awe.

The jarhead ensemble all shaved their heads and had a training session with an actual marine, which made their performance more authentic and believable. In the war sequence, the marines all worked together to create a powerful and heart-breaking depiction of combat. The end of the sequence left the audience in tears for the lost marines they had come to love.

The stage was equipped with a simple yet complex set that functioned nicely to its purposes. All the scene changes were efficient and seamless. The costumes were all period accurate and beautifully designed. The lights were professional quality, using multiple colors and effects to create different moods. The war sequence strobe lighting was marvelous and added a sense of urgency to the scene.

West Potomac's production of Dogfight closes with the damaged marine walking off the bus, greeted by being spat on. Lost and confused, he returns to the diner and is greeted by Rose. The lights dim as they embrace, a solemn ending to a beautiful show.

Kaili Fox
Westfield High School
Submitted for publication to Alexandria Times

An enchanting song on an acoustic guitar starts to play. A man on a bus in his military uniform somberly returns home from war. West Potomac's production of Dogfight invites the audience into the aftermath of the Vietnam war, and years before it came to be.

Premiering in 2012, Dogfight began as an Off-Broadway production, based off of the film by the same title. It opened on July 16, 2012 for a limited run at the Second Stage Theatre and closed on August 19 that same year.

Dogfight tells the story of three young marines, fresh out of training. The three friends known as Boland, Bernstein, and Eddie are staying in San Francisco before they are deployed for war. For a few laughs and a fun time before they leave, the three pals throw a Dogfight; a party in which they are meant to invite the ugliest girl they can find, and the man with the ugliest girl wins a large sum of money. Eddie, without any luck for a date to the Dogfight, invites a diner waitress named Rose. Eddie learns how step out of the crude lifestyle of his fellow marines, and to open up his softer side to Rose all while knowing he will be fighting in a great war soon to come.

Josh Stein's performance as Eddie Birdlace showed true growth as the show progressed. From his immaturity with his friends, to his romantic side with Rose, Stein showed a wide range of emotion that helped further his coming-of-age character. His vocals in the heavyhearted ballad "Come Back" showed an honest and impressive array of emotion, and a powerful look at a soldier with PTSD that served as both realistic and grievous. Sophia Farino played the young and innocent Rose in which Eddie falls in love with. Her character showed a fair amount of intelligence as well as strength. Farino's beautiful soprano voice started off the show on a beautiful note in the show's prelude, all while strumming on a guitar by herself. While Stein and Farino's chemistry started off slow, it grew naturally as the show progressed. By the second act the couple's chemistry could be felt even in moments of pure silence.

Boland and Bernstein, played by Tony Lemus and Julian Worth, showed true dedication to their characters as the tough marines they play. Their performance in "Some Kinda Time" with Josh Stein and the other soldiers kicked off the show on a highly energetic exposition. Every scene with the soldiers showed consistent energy and synchronization with stunning harmonies and sensational choreography. Lorna Ryan gave an excellent performance in the role of Marcy, the winner of the Dogfight. Ryan's comedic timing and consistent accent made her character a delightful role to keep an eye on.

The show took place on a thrust stage with the orchestra on top. The space was used well by the cast with their blocking and tableaus. The lights and sound truly shined through during the war sequence with a realistic yet theatrical approach. The attention to detail with the cast's hair and makeup added a nice touch with shaved heads, historically accurate hairstyles, as well as faux tattoos.

Dogfight is a thrilling look into the cultural phenomenons of the 1960's and 70's before and after the Vietnam war. With raw emotion, energetic performances, and honest character growth, West Potomac's production of Dogfight leaves the audience in shock and awe at all times.

Nicholas Hall
South County High School
Submitted for publication to Connection

All is fair in love and war. Dogfight was performed brilliantly at West Potomac High School and brought the audience on a journey of love and loss. It made its premiere Off-Broadway in 2012 based on the successful 1991 movie.

Dogfight tells the story of Eddie Birdlace and his buddies who are recently recruited into the Marines and spending their last days in San Francisco before being sent off to Vietnam. Before leaving, the boys play the game of dogfight. In this game, the Marines ask the ugliest girls they can find to be their date to a party and whoever brings the ugliest girl is the winner. Dogfight is the story of Eddie and his date, Rose, and what comes after for them once the game has ended.

West Potomac's production of Dogfight was immersive and all-encompassing. The show's overall energy started at a maximum and never faltered. The complex technical elements enhanced the experience as an audience member and the choreography was flawlessly executed. The entire cast complemented each other, had great physicality, and worked very well together, especially the Marines. These actors trusted each other and were able to increase the realism and enjoyability of the show.

The story of Dogfight follows the experiences of Eddie Birdlace, portrayed almost impeccably by Josh Stein. Stein's vocals strengthened each number he was in and rarely faltered. His strong vibrato and vocal inflections allowed Stein to tell the story through his singing. His anguish was especially present in his singing during his powerful ballad ("Come Back"). His chemistry with his love interest, Rose, played by Sophia Farino, improved throughout the show and was very believable throughout Act 2. Farino's talent was shown in several aspects throughout the show with her playing the guitar live on stage as well as her strong vocals. Farino had great facial expressions and utilized these to listen and react without speaking. She also was expressive with her voice, this was especially convincing in "Pretty Funny".

The talent and incredible energy of the leads was matched by the supporting characters and ensemble. Tony Lemus, portraying Boland, took charge and owned the stage with his strong, powerful voice. Tony used an accent throughout and was very committed to it. Lorna Ryan, playing the humorous Marcy, shone throughout the show. Ryan used an accent as well for comedic effect but committed to it and never once lost it. Her accent was also present during her singing, which only enhanced her especially strong vocals. Her unique voice commanded the stage with Farino during their number , "It's a Dogfight" . The ensemble relied on each other heavily and were successful in complementing each other. Their shared talent and incredible compatibility made for great harmonies.

The technical aspects of this show were no less impressive than that of the cast. The set was well-built and extremely detailed. The lighting added to realism and made for some attractive stage pictures. The sound, while sometimes excessive, such as during the war sequence, was greatly executed and the microphones rarely faltered. The props and costumes were designed well and the actors utilized them and brought them to life incredibly. Shifts were handled smoothly, being done by cast members.

West Potomac's production of Dogfight was executed brilliantly in all aspects and was a success in conveying the realism of war as well as being historically accurate.

Kristen Waagner
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

When in San Francisco, be on the lookout for foul-mouthed, boisterous Marines, prostitutes with half their teeth, and one very sweet, guitar-wielding waitress. If you don't see them, check West Potomac High School's rendition of "Dogfight," an incredible show that was truly "nothing short of wonderful."

With music by Pasek and Paul (the acclaimed duo behind "Dear Evan Hansen") and a book by Peter Duchan, "Dogfight" is the poignant story of a group of young, fresh-faced Marines spending their last days in San Francisco before being shipped off to the front in Vietnam. To entertain themselves before leaving, they hold a ‘dogfight,' a party in which the man who brings the ugliest date wins a cash prize. But when Eddie Birdlace, a young recruit who hides his vulnerability behind bravado, invites Rose, a kindhearted waitress, to be his date, seeds of doubt about his desensitized way of life take root.

Portraying flawed hero Birdlace was Josh Stein, who stunned the audience with his vocal dexterity and his mature portrayal of a man destroyed by war. As his emotional barriers were broken down, the stark contrast between the devil-may-care attitude and more sensitive side was brilliantly navigated by Stein. His believable relationship with Rose (Sophia Farino), showcased in tight harmony in "First Date, Last Date," was a testament to the skill of both actors. Farino also shone as the uncomplicated, sweet love interest with spot-on, and at times hilarious, facial expressions and emotive vocals that completely endeared her to the audience.

"Dogfight" was made spectacular by an immensely talented supporting cast. The antagonistic pair of Boland (Tony Lemus), Eddie's belligerent Marine buddy, and Marcy (Lorna Ryan), a shrewd, toothless hooker, were charismatic and layered, stopping at nothing to get themselves ahead. Both Lemus and Ryan maintained their respective accents flawlessly, and Ryan amazed the audience with powerhouse vocals in the eponymous song "It's a Dogfight." The rough-and-tumble Marine ensemble brought the show to the next level, with their precise movement and harmonies, distinct characterization, and period-accurate military behavior. Their opening song, "Some Kinda Time," was one of the most enjoyable of the night.

Augmenting the performance were the numerous impressive technical elements. The minimalist, yet detailed rendering of the Golden Gate Bridge provided an effective backdrop for the story, providing a sense of place without being distracting. Sound, including numerous body microphones, went off without a hitch. The lighting made use of multicolored washes to create different moods for each scene, and even accentuated the music in songs like "Hometown Hero's Ticker Tape Parade." The war sequence thoroughly showcased the expertise of the technical designers, who employed strobe lights, fog, and sound effects to create the intense panic of battle.

With its contemporary sound and important message coupled with an immensely talented cast and fantastic technical aspects, "Dogfight" is a show that is impossible to forget. Though hard to see at times, it is crucial to remember that even in the darkest of times, it is our love for others that makes us human.