Good News
at Fairfax High School

Reviewed on April 27, 2019

Liesl Ament
Rockville High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

Sandwiched between two devastating world wars, the Roaring Twenties breeded endless opportunity and enthusiasm. It is in this time period that the peppy musical Good News is set. Although this Lawrence Schwab production debuted on Broadway in 1927, an updated revival was unveiled in 1993. It is this update that is performed by the talented and capable students of Fairfax High School.

It's senior year at Tait College, and everyone expects Tom Marlowe (Mathew Sikes) to bring home victory at the upcoming football championship game. No one more expectant is Patricia Bingham (Tyna Hesser), Tom's girlfriend, whose father is promising a handsome sum to the college if they succeed on Saturday. When Tom needs a tutor to help him pass astronomy so he can play in the big game, he meets Connie Lane (Madeleine Tyler), Pat's studious cousin who has no interest in football whatsoever. Running parallel to Connie's and Tom's developing relationship is that of the exuberant Babe O'Day (Kamila Adamczyk) and the cowardly Bobby Randall (Seth Strong), as well as the rekindled romance of Professor Kenyon (Marin Bronaugh) and Coach Johnson (Mikhail Goldenberg). As the musical progresses, Tom is faced with a timeless moral dilemma: do his personal interests outweigh the interests of the group?

One of the most impressive aspects of Fairfax's rendition was the performance of Adamczyk as Babe O' Day. She seamlessly stepped into character using body language and a flirtatious lilt to convey Babe's happy-go-lucky flapper attitude. She and Seth Strong performed an amazing duet in "Button Up Your Overcoat." Indeed, every cast member brought energy and pep to their roles, especially evident in the opening number "Good News." PJ Pavot, acting as team trainer Pooch Kearney, also succeeded in enamoring the audience with his witty wisecracks.

The costume department did well in creating costumes that fit the characters as well as the time period. The football uniforms were obviously not from modern era, as evidenced by the leather football helmets. Color was used adroitly to distinguish characters and add flair to the show. Had the Pi Beta Phi actresses worn grey instead of pink, their scenes would undoubtedly been less interesting to watch. Therefore, the costumes crew deserves commendation for their creative and eye-catching outfits.

The choreography was also well done. Tap dance was common in Good News, and the cast members tackled the complex dance moves masterfully, providing an engaging show to watch.

Although some aspects of the sound seemed to limit actors' vocals, the crew made do with what they had.

All in all, there's good news to report: Fairfax High School poured pep and heart into Good News. A talented cast and a hard-working crew ensure this show would wow anyone viewing it.

Ashtyn Spring
West Springfield High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

In 1928, college football at Tait College was the bee's knees. Good News is a hilarious yet touching musical based on the book by Laurence Schwab, B.G. DeSylva, and Rank Mendel with words and music by DeSylva, Brown, and Henderson. First opening in 1927, Good News follows three couples who attend Tait College where most of the students value a touchdown on the football field more than scoring in the classroom.

The show begins with the title song and a surge of energy that immediately transports the audience to a college campus in 1928. As shouting and dancing students emerge from both sides of the audience and bound onstage, their spirit for the upcoming big game is contagious. Heartthrob Tom Marlowe (Mathew Sikes), the handsome star of the football team, would rather hit the other team's quarterback than the books. Sikes' smooth vocals and athletic movements made female characters swoon and the audience love his character.

When Tom fails an astronomy test and is prohibited from playing in the big game, the entire school bands together to get his teacher, Professor Kenyon (Marin Bronaugh), to change her mind. Bronaugh's mature acting and physicality set her apart from the students. Bronaugh successfully captures the nuances of Kenyon's complicated past with football and academics. Luckily, Kenyon allows Tom to take a makeup exam with the hopes of joining his team on game day.

Tom's only chance to pass the makeup astronomy exam is the help of studious Connie Lane (Madeleine Tyler). Costuming Connie with large glasses, long hair, and a longer skirt quickly portrayed her as an outlier among the female students at Tait. Before meeting Tom, Connie dreams of meeting the perfect man for her in the lyrical solo "My Lucky Star." Connie proves to be lucky in love as tutoring Tom leads to them falling for one another. Tyler effortlessly balances soprano love songs with comedic comebacks. At the end of Tom and Connie's captivating duet "The Best Things in Life Are Free," they adorably exchange belongings that were absent-mindedly picked up during their encounter. The symbolism behind Tom giving Connie her textbook and Connie returning Tom's football marks the start of their complicated love story.

Technical aspects helped the audience quickly recognize which couple the story was focusing on in every scene. Each couple had a color associated with them that appeared vibrantly on the cyclorama when they took the stage and often matched the outfits of the pair as well.

Benchwarmer Bobby Randall (Seth Strong) never ceased to make the audience laugh through his committed vocals and physical humor. Not long into the show, Randall is pursued by the confident and demanding Babe O'Day (Kamila Adamczyk). Adamczyk's command of the stage is undeniable. Her over-the-top, bubbly characterization made her a captivating performer. In their duet numbers Strong and Adamczyk proved to be a dynamic pair through their contrasted characterization. Impressive, clever choreography in songs like "Button Up Your Overcoat" and "Never Swat a Fly" enhanced the chemistry between these two characters.

Throughout the show, quick scene changes combined with fun 1920's style dancing kept the energy high. Exercise inspired musical numbers, time period appropriate football uniforms, and the use of real Astroturf in the set created a sports environment. Fascinating silhouettes and group tableaus revealed characterization and continued the story in an interesting manner. The resolution of the show sorted out all the happy couples with their matches. This proved the good news written in the stars for each one of us.

Charlie Lamb
West Springfield High School
Submitted for publication to FCPS Community News

Good News, performed by Fairfax High School, is a musical set in 1928 that chronicles the occurrences at Tait College in the buildup to a crucial football game. This endearing comedy focuses on the story of Tom Marlowe, played by Mathew Sikes, as he attempts to both pass his astronomy test and win the conference championship. However, the show is driven by its enthralling cast and its vibrant dance numbers. The ensemble of this show kept the audience engaged through their own dedication to the story. The "good news" about this show is that its pacing never slowed, a fact that was helped by the almost seamless transitions in between scenes. Almost everything that stood out in this show did so for the best of reasons, and the entire experience was a very memorable one.

While the entire cast elevated this performance, the chemistry between certain onstage couples stood out. In particular, the unlikely relationship that develops between backup player Bobby Randall and charming sweetheart Babe O'Day, portrayed by Seth Strong and Kamila Adamczyk, respectively, was a blast to watch whenever the two of them were onstage together. This dynamic was best exhibited in the song "Button Up Your Overcoat," when Adamczyk's bubbly energy seized control of the song and made the growing friendship more believable. Adamczyk showed great vocal and breath support throughout the entire show, which was made more impressive by the great amount of physical activity she did in the dance numbers. She did a wonderful job of masking any fatigue she was likely experiencing during large numbers like "The Varsity Drag."

A minor performance that stood out was that of William Choi, who played the role of Babe's boyfriend and football jock Beef Saunders. While he did not have as much stage time as some of his cast mates, Choi was able to capitalize on well-written comedic dialogue and big creative choices to create a memorable character in a memorable musical. It was shocking how clean all of the dancing was in this show, as many of the dances featured intricate tap sequences. The fact that such a large cast was able to remain in sync with each other and the orchestra during these numbers speaks a great deal to how tight the choreography was.

The technical elements of Good News also elevated this production. The fixed set made use of intricate details, such as painted brickwork, to convey the atmosphere of a college campus. The use of levels throughout the show allowed for the full realization of all parts of the stage, and it made the show even more engaging than it already would have been. While the audio system faltered slightly during a few moments of the show, the lighting and smooth scene transitions served only to enhance the experience. Good News provided a delightfully funny and engaging show for the audience, and its overall quality was remarkably impressive at the high school level.

Ava Kalina
Loudoun Valley High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

Fairfax Players brought literal Good News to the community in their spectacular performance of the 1920's hit musical.

Fairfax High School transformed into Tait College for the night, the setting of Good News. Premiering on Broadway in 1927, Good News was born from writers Lawrence Schwab, B. G. DeSylva and Frank Mandel. The story revolves around star quarterback Tom Marlowe who must pass his astronomy exam so he can play in the Big Game. Tom turns to his girlfriend Patricia for help with the Big Test but is led to her cousin, uncool Connie Lane. Good News embraces the heat of the Roaring '20s through a complicated love story accompanied by jazzy sounds, comic foils, and sparkling dance.

The audience rooted for the unexpected couple, Tom Marlowe played by Mathew Sikes, and Connie Lane, played by Madeleine Tyler. Their love is written in the stars as they study astronomy and develop a connection. Both Sikes and Tyler carry consistent vocal tones and impressive falsettos.

Star of the show, Babe O'Day proved herself as a triple threat. Kamala Adamczyk embraced her character with a squeaky voice, pristine tap moves and high energy. Her counterpart, Bobby Randall (Seth Strong), matched Adamczyk's dancing in "Button Up Your Overcoat." Their cute chemistry developed further in every love scene together, making them a memorable couple.

The ensemble of students beautifully executed every dance number crisply and cleanly. Student choreographer Sierra Kaplan displayed her imaginative work in the sorority girls' songs "Today's The Day" and "He's a Lady's Man." The tap shined in "Good News" and commitment to character through dance was captured in "The Football Drill."

The actors also successfully utilized many levels of their simple but dynamic unit set. Accompanying an appropriate set were student-made dresses and period clothing. Complimentary colors flew across the stage on shoes, hats and bags.

Good News at Fairfax High School was a touchdown on the field and an ace on the test, touching every aspect of a well-rounded show.

Kayla Rothstein
West Springfield High School
Submitted for publication to Connection

A college where everything revolves around football — the players, the professors, the co-eds - seems an unlikely setting for romance and tap dance.

Revised by Mark Madama and Wayne Bryan and set in a ‘20s college backdrop, Good News delivers a feel-happy musical revolving around star quarterback Tom Marlow and his ensuing dilemma of passing an academic exam (Yes, astronomy is academic) in order to play in Tait College's big game. A seemingly simplistic story ensnares many characters into its plot as love stories unfold, hearts are broken, and the whole school gears up for the most important game of the season.

A vocally energized cast, innovative choreography, and a dedicated technical team made Good News at Fairfax High School a roaring success from beginning to end.

Kamila Adamczyk as Babe portrayed a young 1920s flapper with skirts above the knee, hair in a bob, and never taking "no" for an answer. Her maintenance of high energy paired with lively Charleston dance moves and bubbly vocals carried the show without a miss of a hair flip. Her love interest Bobby Randall, played by Seth Strong, embodied a nerdy charisma that captured the attention and laughs of the audience from the moment he drove his chic-mobile onto the stage. A meek Bobby and effervescent Babe evoked glee from the crowd, especially in the tap duet "Button Up Your Overcoat." Similarly, football star Tom Marlowe (Mathew Sikes) and astronomy tutor Connie Lane (Madeleine Tyler) perfectly juxtaposed his warm tone to her lyrical soprano voice making their musical numbers the most sentimental throughout the unfolding story.

The supporting cast and ensemble of Good News provided the unyielding enthusiasm and pinpoint dancing needed for the production. Mikhail Goldenberg as Coach Johnson and Marin Bronaugh as Professor Kenyon embedded another love story into the show - just fifteen years after their own college experience. Their vocal maturity contrasted with the college students, making their adult characters believable. Also, Pat as an arrogant girlfriend and Pooch as the enthusiastic football trainer never missed a joke or dance step. The football and sorority ensembles of the production provided outstanding vocals and dancing from every member on stage as seen in crowd favorites "Keep Your Sunny Side Up" and "The Varsity Drag."

The flawless execution of the technical team aided in a superior production. Costumes by Neva Sedan and team were authentic and every actor's outfit looked phenomenal from head to toe. Similarly, attention to detail in light design by Gus Schouviller did not go unnoticed with beautiful colors in the backdrop varying for each love story. An intricate set over multiple levels aided in the perfect symmetry of the show and made dance numbers and flow enjoyable. To tie it all together, the crew, sound, and orchestra displayed impeccable timing-a splendid job overall by every member of its the technical crew.

From the moment the curtain goes up with the razzamatazz opening song of good good news at Tait College to its closing reprise of "Good News," this musical comedy offers entertainment that will have all tapping out the doors with a smile.

Madison Dieffenbach
Rockville High School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

Twenty eight years before the Wilson ball began production in Ada, Ohio- the cast of Fairfax High School's Good News! could be heard tap-tap-tapping away behind the ivy covered walls of Tait college.

Opening in 1927, Good News! was a hit, inspiring not one, but two films of the same name (one in 1930 and the other in 1947). Taking place in the days leading up to Tait college's "big game", Good News! follows the paths of three couples who fall in, out, and back into love. Football star Tom Marlowe leaves his status obsessed girlfriend for bookworm Connie Lane; Babe O'Day announces her separation from the brawny "Beef" Saunders, jumping into an affair with benchwarmer Bobby Randall; and Prof. Charlotte Kenyon falls back in love with a former flame from her college days, football coach Bill Johnson.

Football star Tom Marlowe played by Mathew Sikes was every bit the lovable jock the audience deserved to see. Marlowe was incredibly impressive vocally, with his maintenance of sound quality even while in the upper notes of his range being extremely impressive. The studious innocence of Connie Lane was portrayed by Madeleine Tyler, who truly entranced the audience with her rendition of "Just Imagine" late in the show. Marlowe's earlier girlfriend in the play, Patricia Bingham was really brought to life by Tyna Hesser. Hesser really encapsulated Bingham's character, and provided the audience with many laughs. The relationships between Marlowe and his love interests were very well executed by Sikes and his two lovely ladies.

Coach Bill Johnson (Mikhail Goldenberg) and his fantastic football team were a standout group, who's numbers really "wowed" the audience. Particularly impressive was "The football drill", where the team sings while doing some "drills", including an exhausting amount of high knees. Seth Strong played Bobby Randall, benchwarmer turned eventual star of the game, who captured the audience's hearts. Randall's love story with Babe O'Day (Kamila Adamczyk) was encapsulating, causing the audience to fall in love right along with them. As the With Adamczyk's spot on vocals and the couples fantastic tap dancing and chemistry, they truly lit up the show.

Other notable performances include that of Beef Saunders (William Choi) and Sylvester (Trevor Sloan). Both Saunders and Sloan were absolutely hilarious, causing the audience to laugh nonstop with both their physical comedy, along with the timing of their characters' funnier lines.

With 200+ lighting cues, Kira Kerr and Gus Schouviller's lighting department was a success. Most notably when highlighting each couple with a different color light, their use of the cyclorama was Another major highlight of the tech was the set design (Nicole Iodice), with multilayered platforms that served as the main ground for the 17 different settings of Good News! Costumes and props were also very impressive, with an extensive amount of props and at least 2 costume changes for each actor.

With the close of the big game, and therefore Good News! the audience is reminded that love will prevail, if only they remember to wish on their "Lucky star ".