Cursed
at El Dorado

Reviewed on November 17, 2018

Emily Freeborn
Santa Margarita Catholic
Submitted for publication to OC Register

El Dorado's "Cursed" emphasizes the importance of family
written by Emily Freeborn, a sophomore at Santa Margarita Catholic High School

Wretched, haggard figures dismally perch upon a large rock structure. One rocks back and forth, muttering to himself hysterically. Others sit with their head in their hands and weep. Below this sad congregation, four figures play cards. Two bicker and one's anger at the other's upper hand results in a childish fistfight, as the quarrels from their lives endure in their death.

El Dorado's "Cursed" tells the dismal tale of Antigone, Polynices, and Eteocles as a visit from their living sister Ismene in the underworld forces them to revive the events preceding their tragic deaths. This event spurs the siblings to recognize the love for each other that was not expressed while they were alive.

Strutting the stage with fiery eyes, Krista Eliot exposes Antigone's cold and authoritative nature. Eyes cold and spiteful with a wicked sneer, Eliot relishes in Haemon's (Logan Brown) pain as he tries to say he does not love her. But her hardened exterior softens as she recalls a time when her relationship with Ismene was sweet, and she allows a warm smile to grace her face for the first time.

Eteocles (Cory Wright) fires off childish insults at his brother, clenching his fists and rolling his eyes in frustration. When asked to tell his story, Wright's face contorts in anger and pain, and as the tale progresses his expression transitions from sadness and longing to fury.

Beautiful acappella songs written by Julia Chau perfectly capture and elaborate on the mood of important scenes. In "Just Different." as Eteocles's mood shifts from pain to anger the singing builds, demonstrating the intensity of the scene.

The set, designed by Cory Wright and Julia Chau, is dreary and realistic. A large stone structure covered in dark shades of foam rocks with plants springing through the cracks, the set adds to the dreary atmosphere. It also is extremely functional, allowing characters to perch atop the stone as they watch their stories be told.

Costumes (Aimee Asch, Natalie D'Allura, Krista Eliot, and Emily Hunt) excellently demonstrate key traits from each character, with a bright and fiery red for the fiery Antigone. Easily transferable costume pieces in characters' signature color clarify who the chorus represents in the story being told.

El Dorado's "Cursed" excellently demonstrates the importance of family with sincere and touching acting.

Rachel Kim
Sunny Hills High School
Submitted for publication to OC Facebook

El Dorado's 'Cursed' is beautifully bewitching
written by Rachel Kim, a senior at Sunny Hills High School

The stage is illuminated, ebbing with energy as the spirits of a family play a hand of cards, their palpable tension sifting in the thick air. The hidden door glows a deep purple hinting at a certain sister's arrival.

‘Cursed' tells the "what happens after" story of Oedipus, or what happens in the Underworld where all the dead siblings and cousin reside. The exception is the eldest sister, Ismene, who is still alive. However, after making a trade, she is able to come and visit her family as something unsaid has driven a wrench between their previous bond. The four dead each tell their perspective of what they believe happened to cause their discord, providing a different outlook on each of their stories.

Krista Eliot (Antigone) is striking in a scarlet red (smartly costumed by Aimee Asch, Natalie D'Allura, Krista Eliot and Emily Hunt) to reflect the same passionate personality she exudes. Though difficultly having to express the emotional journey Antigone undergoes, Eliot expertly executes it all with ease as she breezes past her siblings with an air of power about her and each line delivered with precise intentionality.

Kyle Colby (Polynices) and Cory Wright (Eteocles) perfectly capture the essence of brotherly love as they bicker back and forth, both refusing to relent. Each excelled in the usage of body language to express their feelings toward one another, whether it be resentment or forgiveness.

Commanding the stage, Julia Chau (Choragus) utilizes a subdued, cold tone, clueing in that she holds both power and respect. Chau glides about the stage, the characters bending at her will as she radiates savviness through sly gestures and looks. Chau's coy presence is one to be feared.

The Ensemble (The Chorus) of 15 is to be commended for their cleverness in being able to speak as a single voice, to portraying one of the family members, to being their own individual. Slinking in the background, each member significantly adds to the imagery of the storyline.

The creativity in ‘Cursed' is praiseworthy as the attention to detail is simply spectacular. One aspect that truly amazes is the Composition and Vocal Direction written by Julia Chau. Chau's composition beautifully fills the stage as the Ensemble members ominously sing further enhancing each scene.

El Dorado's ‘Cursed' is enchantingly entertaining with stunning set design, immaculate direction, and a never-ending flow of creativity.

Sydney Castiglione
Fullerton Union
Submitted for publication to OC Facebook

El Dorado's Cursed shows the strength of family values

Cursed continues the story of Antigone and her family, but in the underworld. When Ismene shows up, even though she is still living, they try to piece together the stories of their lives to understand why everything happened the way it did. Through the stories, they realize how important family is and the value of one another.

Antigone (Krista Eliot) and Ismene (Natalie D'Allura) show very contrasting roles, but also an incredible sibling bond. Eliot has a lot of strength and anger behind her, while D'Allura is very wise and caring. The way they play off each other and their body language produces spectacular tension between the two. Their character development throughout the show emulates that no matter what, a sister is still a sister and will always be there for you.

The Choragus (Julia Chau) carries the show as the narrator and controller of the underworld. Chau does a fantastic job of setting up the background of the story by catching the audience up on what has happened in the story of Antigone. The way she controls the stage with her presence, as well as being nonchalant about the stories and rules, is absolutely breathtaking.

Makeup (Julia Chau and Hannah Oertwig) was inspired by ancient Greek beauty standards, being that, the more natural a person was, the better. Chau and Oertwig also have each cast member wearing various tattoos of Greek symbols. The amount of tattoos a person has represents how many stories they have told and how long they have been in the underworld. Specifically making sure the Choragus has the most to relay that she was the oldest and wisest.

The set (Cory Wright and Julia Chau) utilizes levels and has remarkable detail. The primary set piece is covered in rocks of all sizes and has a door in the middle that is a bit more uncovered to assist in its standing out against the rest of the set. Wright and Chau also have cards that hang above the stage and symbolize each of the five siblings and their personality.

Cursed at El Dorado will make you understand how important family is, especially when they are gone.