The Canterbury Tales
at Los Alamitos

Reviewed on October 19, 2018

Anysa Wilson
Orange Lutheran
Submitted for publication to OC Register

Los Alamitos' production of The Canterbury Tales leaves audiences in tears of laughter

Rib-busting jokes and excellent comedic timing makes The Canterbury Tales a must-see show. Moral lessons are told from the perspectives of a variety of interesting characters and there is never a dull moment in the show.

Spectacular technical elements illuminate the play and set the stage effectively for the 16th century time period. The set is a rustic pub that has two levels, adding dimension to the stage. Every prop that is used throughout the show is an everyday object found in a bar and their simplistic nature aid the storytellers. The costumes are versatile as many characters take on a variety of roles and small additions like capes are successful in showing a major character switch. Small braids and high updos frame the cast perfectly and demonstrate the time period clearly to the audience.

The musical orchestrations set the tone and adds to every story in a unique way. There is a clear switch between normal publife and a jaunty tale with the aid of music and lighting. Natural lighting frames the actors for the majority of the show, yet become dramatic and riveting as stories are told.

Connor Franzen is a highlight among the cast as he plays a variety of roles including Chanticleer and King Harold. His low squatting and craned neck aids to the physical humor of his portrayal of a rooster. Melanie Tanaka stands out amongst the female ensemble as a comedian with her occasional cross eyes and puffed cheeks. She is constantly engaged in every scene and finds the fine line between making bold choices, yet not distracting from the main action of a scene.

Bird's portrayal of the Miller is engaging as he speaks with low raspy growls and has an intimidating stance that demands respect. Yet, while he tells his own tale he is able to switch into his falsetto effortlessly which adds even more humor to his vivacious character. Hannah Thiel also is a standout amongst the cast as she makes bold choices with her vocal variety, large gestures, and large eyes that convey humor.

Los Alamitos' production of The Canterbury Tales is one surely not to be missed and is full of outlandish characters that know how to do comedy.

Amy-Grace Ratanapratum
Fountain Valley
Submitted for publication to OC Facebook

Los Alamitos' "The Canterbury Tales," a Celebration of Stories
written by Amy-Grace Ratanapratum, a junior at Fountain Valley High School

Storytelling truly comes to life in Los Alamitos' production of "The Canterbury Tales." 14th-Century pilgrims heading to Canterbury stop at a tavern, where they hold a contest to see who can tell the best tale to pass the time. Each story told ranges from romance to adventure, and with such a small cast, the varying roles truly underscore each actor's versatility.

Melanie Tanaka, plays a visitor to the tavern (Woman #1) who participates in four of the pilgrims' stories as a fox, a queen, a partygoer, and Agnes, one-third of a trio of fools. As the fox, she wears a mask which covered her entire head but makes up for it with her body language: prowling close to the floor, each movement a deliberate choice. Compared to Agnes, who stumbles drunkenly around with her friends, Tanaka displays her incredible adaptability as an actor.

The merry band of pilgrims is just as delightful to watch interacting with each other. Lizzy Legere as the nervous Cook tries (and fails) time and again to think of a story, and provokes peals of laughter from both the audience and her fellow pilgrims. A bitter rivalry between the Miller (Danny Bird) and the Reeve (Daniel Garcia) leads to physical—and verbal—brawls.

While the actors' execution of the script is wonderfully comedic, one should take note of their non-verbal acting as well. Whether it's a tavern visitor (Christian D'Alessandro as Man #2)'s ability to leap over people's heads, John the aged carpenter (Louie Gallagher as Man #1)'s exaggerated hunched back, Chanticleer the rooster (Conner Franzen as Man #4)'s hopping around and crowing, or any other character's ability to fall perfectly on cue, the physical comedy drives each of the jokes home.

The set holds each of the props needed by the tavern visitors to act out the pilgrims' stories. Every portion of the set is utilized in some way in each scene and creates an atmosphere one would expect in a Medieval tavern. The costumes are beautifully done and highlight the characters' dominant traits in a way that feels natural and subconscious to the viewer.

Los Alamitos High School's lighthearted rendition of "The Canterbury Tales" exhibits present-day humor that everyone can enjoy.

Meg Rocha
Orange Lutheran
Submitted for publication to OC Facebook

Los Alamitos' "The Canterbury Tales" Deserves Many "Huzzah!'s" to a Job Well Done
written by Meg Rocha, a junior at Orange Lutheran High School

The cast and crew of Los Alamitos' "The Canterbury Tales" wonderfully revive the work of Geoffrey Chaucer in their interpretation of the hilarious tale following a various range of characters competing to tell a story on their journey to Canterbury.

Set in the late Medieval Times, a group of people from multiple occupations are all set on a journey to Canterbury and are posed with a challenge to tell the most engaging story of the lot for the purpose of entertaining the long trip. The story follows each member as they tell their tale, resulting in a show chock-full of hearty laughs.

Gabriel Prunty does a stunning job in her role as The Wife of Bath. The way she saunters across the stage, flaunting her red gown that symbolizes The Wife of Bath's desire and lust, fully embodies the blunt sexuality of her character. Connor Franzen plays various roles throughout the show, and brilliantly portrays each one in a refreshing new way than the one before. Whether switching from a British to a Scottish accent, going from standing straight or hunching over, or playing up a drunken stupor to a different extent, each new character is a drastic change from the last.

As a cast, the actors do a great job of interacting with each other in their personas and keeping in character throughout. At times, diction seems to be compromised for British accents, making it difficult to understand what they are saying. They handle visual comedy the show very well and have excellent timing. When the stage seems to be in constant chaos, it is in the most entertaining, organized, and humorous kind of way.

The student-built set nicely sets the tone of an early-Renaissance bar. Everything on it has a purpose and works great to show how the characters use whatever was in the bar room to tell their story to the crowd, with shields symbolizing chicken wings or pots being used as hats. Grace Coil is a brilliant stage manager, as a beat never went missed and the show flowed delightfully.

Los Alamitos' "The Canterbury Tales" has their audience cackling to no extent, and the cast and crew do a dazzling job of telling the tales of Geoffrey Chaucer through their very committed actors, excellently built sets, and well-organized stage management.