Something Wicked This Way Comes
at Simon Kenton High School
Reviewed on March 6, 2020
Iris LeCates
Walnut Hills High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 1
"That is church music. Changed."
The lights flash out on Simon Kenton High School's auditorium, quieting audience chatter mixing with the slow crescendo of a calliope. Dissonant chords fill the space as the lights rise on a typical suburban neighborhood, beginning the nightmarish journey through Ray Bradbury's "Something Wicked This Way Comes."
Bradbury's play adaptation of the 1962 novel, "Something Wicked This Way Comes" tells the story of two midwestern boys, Will Halloway and Jim Nightshade, and the carnival that comes to their town in late October. As the boys explore the carnival and inquire about the men who run it, they find that the mysterious Mr. Dark is capitalizing on fear to suck the life from the people of the town and power his twisted attractions. Set around World War II and written during the Cold War, the play examines how fear creates power and how questioning our belief in enigmatic terrors can be enough to quell them.
Trevor Lee and Teddy Neltner, in the leading roles of Will Halloway and Jim Nightshade, respectively, were a successful duo. Funny and boyish, their friendship was charming. Lee, in his role as Will, was especially convincing in more serious moments with his father (Keegan Wood), and his naivety was an excellent foil to his father's old age.
Caroline Nitardy's performance as the Dust Witch was most excellent. Easily one of the most spirited and convincing performers onstage, Nitardy channeled an almost Shakespearean energy. Although she had relatively few scenes and only appeared in the second act, her verve managed to create some of the only fear-inspiring moments of the show.
Although a well-acclaimed horror piece, this production capitalized on some of the humorous, although brief, moments. Luke Howell, in his role as Robert, seemed almost a caricature of young children in horror movies, and Hunter Kerzee, in his role as the Lightning Rod Salesman, played off his all-too-obvious foreshadowing with comedy.
The technical elements of the show were equally successful. The carnival makeup, designed and executed by Alex Mastin, Heaven McCroy, Haley Jenkins, and Abby Lucas, was a nice touch that helped to individualize members of the carnie ensemble. The white contact lenses for the Dust Witch were particularly convincing. The set was dynamic and creative, containing everything from period street lamps, to an electric chair, to the facades of Jim and Will's suburban homes. The creation of a spinning carousel was impressive, and it did manage to come apart during the final scenes as the carnival fell to pieces. The sound was also excellent, utilizing the original compositions from the 1983 movie and well-placed sound effects to effectively craft the eerie atmosphere.
At times spine-chilling and at times endearing, the cast and crew of Simon Kenton High School's "Something Wicked This Way Comes" put on an enjoyable show that captured the terror of Bradbury's classic novel.
Erica Budde
Ursuline Academy
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 10
Humor, curiosity, and thrill all filled Simon Kenton High School's theater in their production of "Something Wicked This Way Comes." This play, written by Ray Bradbury, is focused on the two main characters: Jim Nightshade and William Halloway. These two boys, living in Green Town, Illinois, run into certain characters throughout their time at a carnival they decide to attend. Overall, this play is a thriller about finding oneself and coming to terms with where one is in life. It originated as a book, written in 1955. "Something Wicked This Way Comes" was first performed in 2003 in Los Angeles, followed by its full play adaptation, released in 2007.
This production was rooted in fear, hard work, and love for theater. Despite the complexity of the plot, the cast kept their energy up to hold the audience's attention throughout the more difficult scenes. Each character in the cast had their own unique character development which held to the uniqueness of the play.
William Halloway, played by Trevor Lee, held the audience's attention through his difficulties with Jim, his father, and the carnival situation. His raw emotion and strong usage of facial expressions and hand movements added to the dynamics of each scene. Through is clear line delivery, the audience was able to follow him and his emotions through his difficult time.
Without his friends, Will wouldn't have gotten very far. Will's best friend, Jim Nightshade, played by Teddy Neltner, and Jim's father, Mr. Halloway, played by Keegan Wood, were the two characters standing by his side throughout the entire play. Both of these actors did a great job assisting Will in the carnival situation and through dealing with Mr. Dark, the antagonist of the play. The support system Will had not only portrayed the close bonds of family but helped the audience follow the detailed plot.
The impeccable work of Alex Mastin, Heaven McRoy, Abby Lucas, and Haley Jenkis was evident in every scene of the show. Their work ahead of time most certainly paid off when stage time came. Costumes crew successfully used symbolism through their use of yellow for the cheery Mrs. Tetley and darker colors for the Carnie scenes. Additionally, the use of colored contacts for the Dust Witch and her makeup clearly set her apart as a "scary" carnie as opposed to the "nicer looking" carnies. As a crew, they did a great job distinguishing character from character so no two looked the same.
Simon Kenton High School should be beyond proud of their production of "Something Wicked This Way Comes." Every actor, actress, and crew member visibly put forth their effort to portray the curious activities of Carnies at a carnival and a teenage boy's connection with his father.
Nadya Ellerhorst
Walnut Hills High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 2
"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes," and come it did in Simon Kenton High School's spine-tingling production of "Something Wicked This Way Comes."
Adapted from science fiction mastermind Ray Bradbury's 1962 novel of the same title, "Something Wicked This Way Comes" centers on the sleepy locale of Green Town, Illinois, which is visited by a seemingly normal carnival. However, cotton candy and sideshows aside, the carnival brings with it a sinister force that best friends Will Halloway and Jim Nightshade set out to stop. As more and more townspeople succumb to the carnival's evil, Will and Jim enlist the help of Will's father, who must likewise look beyond his outward age to find his inner power as the trio tries to put a stop to the mysterious Mr. Dark and his motley of diabolical carnies.
Trevor Lee and Teddy Neltner, as Will and Jim, respectively, lent abundant humor and a charming valiance to the play, maintaining impressively convincing juvenile dispositions as they gamboled across the stage and gaped in horror at the carnival's sinister mirror maze and carousel. Lee's high-strung, squeamish Will served as an excellent contrast to Neltner's rational, dry Jim, and both were an amusing, likable duo. Likewise, Keegan Wood, as Mr. Halloway, offered an empowering performance as a good-hearted man coping with the inevitable process of aging. His initial frustration at his age-related limitations and ensuing realization that age is simply a number were inspiring, as were the multiple, lengthy monologues he delivered without skipping a beat.
The show's array of supporting cast members featured immense talent. Notable was John Micheal Wardrop as the menacing Mr. Dark, whose silky delivery of lines and looming stares contributed heavily to the play's overall chilling air. Caroline Nitardy, as the Dust Witch, must also be lauded. Despite her role's limited appearances on stage, Nitardy's performance was captivating, with a spine-tingling voice and gliding movements establishing her character as one of the most haunting. In spite of occasional mic failures and elongated scene changes, every cast member adroitly persisted completely unfazed, making their evident dedication to the show apparent.
Acting talents aside, the spookiness simply wouldn't have been complete without the remarkable efforts from behind the scenes. From the unsettling, pale eyes of the Dust Witch to the chilling, blue complexion of the Ice Woman, the production's hair and make-up, researched, designed, and carried out by Alex Mastin, Heaven McRoy, Abby Lucas, and Haley Jenkins, was frighteningly realistic. The sound, designed and implemented by Faith Mischke, cleverly utilized the score from the 1983 film version of the original novel which effectively generated both ease and tension throughout the plot's ups and downs. From Frederic Chopin's "Funeral March," played in reverse to the sound of shattering glass, the show's music and sound effects were always on point in timing and significant in establishing an eerie mood.
Something sinister indeed arrived on stage in Simon Kenton's production of "Something Wicked This Way Comes." However, along with it came an enduring reminder that the power of friendship and potency of love are our greatest weapons in facing our worst fears.
Matthew Eggers
Walnut Hills High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 3
Watch in awe as the Strong Man swallows his sword whole, shiver in fright with the ominous foreboding of the Ice Woman's chill, and grapple with the existential fear that with each day, we inevitably become older… and older… and die. Sadly, one of these things is not so easy to swallow, and it isn't the sword. However, Simon Kenton High School's production of "Something Wicked This Way Comes" tackles this fear with determination and heart.
"Something Wicked This Way Comes" is based on Ray Bradbury's 1962 novel of the same name. The play tells the story of young Jim Nightshade and Will Halloway who face ghastly horrors when Cooger and Dark's Pandemonium Shadow Show mysteriously comes to town. Through the ensnaring wonders of the carnival, Will and Jim must choose to remain true to themselves or give in to the sinister temptations that the fair offers. Thanks to the help of Will's father, the boys are able to save the town and to avoid the incessant desire to change the inevitable passage of time. Simon Kenton's production meets this classic coming-of-age tale with the determination needed to bring it to the stage.
With a show that has leading characters question life and death, it would be easy for each actor to stray away from confronting his or her character's relationship with age. However, Will Halloway, played by Trevor Lee, did a great job of bringing this complexity to his character. Lee utilized Will's complex arc to provide a dynamic and honest performance. His development wouldn't have been possible without Keegan Wood's proficient portrayal as Will's Father. Wood succeeded in maintaining a paternal character that lent itself well to being an empathetic and supportive presence that contrasted the more creepy elements of the play.
Although the carnies of Cooger and Dark's Pandemonium Shadow Show are known for their horrible ways, their performances were delightful. In fact, Caroline Nitardy was absolutely captivating as the Dust Witch. With an extremely smooth, melodic voice, Nitardy made the witch's malicious curses feel as if they slithered through the aisles, catching the audience as her victims. Leading his evil carnies, Mr. Dark, played by John Micheal Wardrop, did a fantastic job. Wardrop utilized his magic tricks and creepy persona to elevate this production from a bumble to a buzz of evil excitement.
With an ensemble of carnies eerily dressed and styled as a ghoulish group of wonders, it is hard not to give a shoutout to costumes and makeup. Solely designed by Alex Mastin, the costumes of the carnies were quite sinister. The use of pre-40s fashion made the carnies feel out of place in the town's 40's setting, thoughtfully amplifying dissonance. The Makeup and Hair crew (Alex Mastin, Heaven McRoy, Abby Lucas, and Haley Jenkins) did a splendid job of bringing these characters from concepts to the stage successfully. The attention to detail, portraying fair attraction tropes, allowed for each character to be instantly recognizable, thanks to his or her well-designed makeup.
Now that the town is at peace and the curtain has closed, the audience is left to question their mortality. Yet, Simon Kenton High School's production doesn't let you deal with this alone. This production lets you leave feeling closer to those around you with gasps, laughter, and wonder.
Charlotte Shores
Randall K. Cooper High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 4
There's something about a carnival. The remarkable versatility of acrobats, the fresh roasting aroma of peanuts, or juggling of clowns. However, when a carnival arrives at Simon Kenton High School , it is quite unique as menacing carnies appear. In Simon Kenton's production of "Something Wicked This Way Comes ," Halloween comes early.
"Something Wicked This Way Comes" takes place in a picturesque Midwestern town which couldn't get much stranger after the Lightning Rod Salesman warns of an impending storm. The next day, a carnival arrives late for the year, and two school-age boys, Will Halloway and Jim Nightshade, are eager to explore the carnival. After witnessing the mesmorizing mirror maze and a merry-go-round that can change ages in a spin, the boys realize the ambiance is menacing, and they must team up to stop Mr. Dark . While the carnival is in full spin, the play grapples with the meaning of physical age and the importance of laughter and friendship.
The production, as a whole, brought forward a breathtaking amount of enthusiasm and momentum, especially following numerous set changes. The comedic timing and characterization of each actor were enthralling and notably well-rehearsed.
Trevor Lee effortlessly brought Will Halloway's methodical nature and unsuspecting courage to life while combating the carnival's twisted powers. His captivating performance was only magnified by the repertoire between himself and Jim Nightshade , played by Teddy Neltner . Neltner convincingly illustrated his trouble with the darkness of the world as he attempted to escape the confines of childhood. With crisp diction and fluid body movements, Loghan Currin , as the role of Miss Foley , articulated outward sweetness and optimism as Will and Jim's school teacher and later illustrated formidable fear after taking a stroll through the taunting mirror maze.
Similarly, the supporting actors and actresses tackled their roles with distinction, making even the smaller characters stand out. John Micheal Wardrop, as Mr. Dark , showcased outward bitterness while manipulating the town to be lured to the sinister carnival. While acting as a central guide to Jim and Will , Keegan Wood, as Mr. Halloway , exhibited impressive restraint to the carnival while demonstrating that youth can be a state of mind. In addition, Caroline Nitardy , as the shrill Dust Witch, , exhibited powerful vocals as she commanded the stage with confidence and poise. Likewise, each of the Carnies articulated impressive characterization with fluid reactions, even while juggling or unicycling.
With a range of quick set changes, the Stage Management and Crew (Diana Barbosa , Olivia Currin , Sophie Koehl , and Allie Kemper ) impressively excelled with the timing of each change. The Hair and Makeup Crew (Alex Mastin , Haley Jenkins , Heaven McRoy , and Abby Lucas ) added to the contrasting appearance of the Carnies by emphasizing vibrant colors and darker eye looks. The stage was able to resemble a real-life carnival from the creation of a spinning merry-go-round, a life-size mirror maze, and the electrifying electric chair due to the hard work executed by the Set Crew (Diana Barbosa , Catherine Russell , James Adams , and Austin Shaffer ).
Simon Kenton High School certainly displayed a night of fright in their astonishing thriller. Overall, the cast and crew excelled in their hair-raising performance of "Something Wicked This Way Comes ."
Clare Brennan
Walnut Hills High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 5
Come one, come all! And gather round as Simon Kenton's production of "Something Wicked This Way Comes" shocks, amazes, and horrifies! With twisted carnies, the ominous sounds of a calliope, and a mystical, time-defying carousel, the show is certain to give heebie jeebies to anyone with a pulse.
Based on the 1962 novel by Ray Bradbury, "Something Wicked This Way Comes" follows the story of two thirteen-year-old boys, Jim Nightshade (Teddy Neltner) and William Halloway (Trevor Lee), as a traveling carnival comes to town bringing mysterious and concerning events. As the carnival's presence grows darker and darker, the boys work alongside Will's dad, Charles Halloway (Keegan Wood), to defeat the carnival's sinister leader, Mr. Dark (John Micheal Wardrop). Ultimately, love triumphs over evil as Will, Jim, and Mr. Halloway defeat Mr. Dark and the creepy carnies with the power of love.
As the anchors of the show, Trevor Lee and Teddy Neltner played wonderfully off of each other. The pair was delightfully believable as lifelong friends which proved to be a crucial foundation of their relationship as Will ultimately saves Jim's life. Most importantly, Lee and Neltner appeared to be having genuine fun with each other onstage, especially in their more comedic moments.
In the small, yet critical role of the Dust Witch, Caroline Nitardy was quite captivating. What stood out about her performance most was her command of her more poetic lines. In a role that was truly out-there, Nitardy absolutely rose to the challenge and pulled-off the role of the eccentric and powerful spellcaster. Additionally, Nitardy seamlessly incorporated wonderfully characterized movements into her performance. Although ultimately an evil character, it was hard not to root for the Dust Witch when accompanied with such a compelling performance.
In terms of the technical aspects of the show, all crews showed great enthusiasm in executing the plethora of challenges this show presents. In their own creative spin, the set crew, made up of Diana Barbosa, Catherine Russell, James Adams, and Austin Shaffer, featured a multitude of candy-colored sets in the typically bare-bones play. The hair and makeup crew, including Alex Mastin, Heaven McRoy, Abby Lucas, and Haley Jenkins, also rose to the occasion, outfitting the Dust Witch with creepy white contacts and making the Ice Woman look positively frostbitten. Despite some late mic cues, the crew of this production appropriately supported the cast.
All in all, Simon Kenton's production of "Something Wicked This Way Comes" was an eerie presentation of what is ultimately a lovely story about the power of love.
Lizzy Wheeler
Roger Bacon High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 6
The curiosity of the mind is strong, but what's stronger is the determination to find out what's happening in your own hometown. When two young boys spot a strange circus, nothing but curiosity gets the better of them. What a wonder it is to marvel at the strange and unusual occurrences in the small town of Illinois where nothing out of the ordinary happens. Simon Kenton High School let in a world of imagination, curiosity and wonder.
The play, "Something Wicked This Way Comes" by Ray Bradbury , is about a strange circus appearing before a small town in Green Town , Illinois . Two thirteen-year-old boys and a father who believes he is too old to be a dad combat a world of fear and search for the unknown. Together. they fight against evil in order to save their town. This story shows that together anything is possible, even when it seems to be impossible.
Simon Kenton High School presented a well- performed interpretation of "Something Wicked This Way Comes ." With the script providing scenes up for interpretation, the stage was brought to life by amazing talent, simple yet perspective-changing sets, and wonderful costumes. The lead, Will Halloway played by Trevor Lee , showed amazing facial expressions, great improv lines, and amazing commitment to his character. He was quick to his feet whenever someone needed help. Not only did he allow a visual into the young thirteen-year-old's mind, he also showed how being young isn't such a bad thing. By his side was his best friend, Jim Nightshade, played by Teddy Neltner . Teddy showed how curiosity can get the better of someone, and maybe things need to be let go in order to really live. Fighting in the front line was none other than Will's dad, Mr. Halloway, played by Keegan Wood . His story was a driving force and his presence on stage captivated attention. His ability to show a dad's sorrow for wishing to be younger and his drive to save his son from the hands of Mr. Dark , played by John Micheal Wardrop , showed how amazing a bond can be. The cast of "Something Wicked This Way Comes" showed passion, different forms of curiosity, and above all, a love for being on stage with each other.
The crew created a breathtaking set, just by simplicity. A handmade carousel was one of the most eye-catching pieces on stage. The sets were beautifully created by James Adams , Diana Barbosa , Sophie Koehl , Catherine Russell , and Austin Shaffer . Alongside the creation of a small town, a library, and a strange circus, the help of the paint and moving crew helped tremendously. On the Moving/Paint crew was Anna Clarkston , Isabelle Clarkston , Brandon Gabbard , Will Flanagan , Alex Mastin , Kyra Renner , and once more, Austin Shaffer , Sophie Koehl , and Catherine Russel . Their hard work made the stage come to life and created the ability to transport the entire stage to every needed area in town. The crews did an outstanding job making the play a visual wonder.
Congratulations to the cast and crew of Simon Kenton High Schools production of "Something Wicked This Way Comes ." Not only did they create a truly eye-catching performance, they also let curiosity and creativity onto their stage. The dedication of each individual truly made this performance one to remember.
Anna Nappi
Saint Ursula Academy
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 7
Halloween is the one day of the year where paranormal is normal. It is a day where a dust witch, bearded lady, and even an ice woman can freely roam the streets. But what happens when Halloween comes early?
Simon Kenton High School explores this phenomenon in their production of "Something Wicked This Way Comes," a play based on the Ray Bradbury novel. Mr. Dark and Mr. Coogar disturb the peace of Green Town with their caravan of carnies the week prior to Halloween. The creepy carnies and Mr. Dark's suspicious actions spark the curiosity thirteen-year-olds Will Halloway and Jim Nightshade, who explore the carnival only to learn a dark secret. Along with Will's father, Mr. Halloway, the two boys race to save both themselves and Green Town from ring master Mr. Dark and his carnies.
This play presented Simon Kenton with a daunting task. The actors had to balance horror and comedy while simultaneously navigating important themes such as friendship and growing up. The crews had to find a way to create countless spooky illusions with little to no direction from the script. But the students of Simon Kenton High School tackled this ambitious project head on, and the result was a spectacular thriller that upheld the integrity of the Ray Bradbury novel.
The play's protagonists Will Halloway and Jim Nightshade, played respectively by Trevor Lee and Teddy Neltner, were the perfect dynamic duo. Lee's interpretation of Will as the anxious and responsible friend was both accurate and believable while additionally creating a beautiful contrast to Neltner's more brazen attitude towards the carnival. The most impressive accomplishment of Lee and Neltner was their onstage chemistry. They interacted like true thirteen-year-old best friends, which allowed for some outrageously hilarious moments.
A more serious aspect of the play, the fear of growing up, was addressed by Keegan Wood who portrayed Mr. Halloway. His heartfelt soliloquy about having aged past his prime was deeply heart-wrenching, and Wood's execution added a tone of severity to the production as a whole. Another notable performance was that of Caroline Nitardy. Equipped with stellar diction and body language, she gave a chilling portrayal of the Dust Witch.
The carnival set was masterfully crafted by Diana Barbosa, Catherine Russell, James Adams, and Austin Shaffer, and it perfectly complemented the play's sinister atmosphere. The most ambitious project the crew took on was the construction of a fully operational merry go round. Paired with a fog machine and a strobe light, the merry go round added a sense of authenticity to the paranormal carnival.
When Halloween comes early, it is impossible to distinguish the real from the supernatural. Simon Kenton High School's production of "Something Wicked This Way Comes" artfully explored the complex middle ground between the two. Their execution of this incredibly ambitious project was as equally thrilling as Halloween night.
Elayna Webb
Larry A. Ryle High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 8
Wind blows, lightning flashes, it's quiet. The town square is suddenly filled with circus performers of many talents and trades. Mystery fills the air. "Something Wicked This Way Comes" was originally written as a novel by Ray Bradbury in 1962. It tells the story of two best friends, Jim Nightshade and Will Halloway, as they investigate a mysterious carnival that never comes to town this time of year.
Simon Kenton High School's performance was an enigmatic and thrilling experience. The cast had a distinctly unique energy that was fun and wonderfully offbeat. Jim Nightshade, played by Teddy Neltner, and Will Halloway, played by Trevor Lee, had a fantastic and entertaining dynamic. They had a very peculiar and charming banter. Mr. Dark, played by John Micheal Wardrop, was a mysterious character that kept the audience in anticipation and had a sinister stage presence. Mr. Halloway, played by Keegan Wood, gave a contemplative performance that left the audience to, surprisingly, ponder mortality.
The costume department, consisting of Alex Mastin, had an eye for the show's period clothing. They were visually fitting in the scenes and were presented beautifully. They went along well with the makeup and hair, whose team consists of Haley Jenkins, Abby Lucas, Alex Mastin, and Heaven McRoy. Sound was perfectly executed between scenes by Faith Mischke.
Simon Kenton's cryptic energy and mystical performance brought together the visualization of Bradbury's novel in a way that left the audience to cogitate mortality, the duality of man, and the shades of morality that exists in all people.
Brooke Yates
Larry A. Ryle High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 9
"By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes," is a famous line from William Shakespeare's "Macbeth." However, what many don't know is that this line also inspired famous writer Ray Bradbury to write a dark fantasy novel entitled "Something Wicked this Way Comes" which was later adapted for the stage by Bradbury himself. Set in the fictitious Green Town , the play tells the story of dozens of innocent citizens who are plunged into chaos when a traveling carnival that runs on fear passes by. With many elaborate set pieces and a very minimalistic script to work with, the show presents many challenges for the cast and crew, especially in a high school setting. However, what Simon Kenton High School managed to bring to the stage was unlike any production ever before. The director, Heather Mastin, decided to stray from the original horror intent and instead, produce a show that focused more on the uplifting moral themes of living in the moment, laughter, and love, creating a thriller that she described as "Ambitious, fun and different." This combination of wonder and suspense came together to create a show as unique and imaginative as the script itself.
A perfect example of the balance between heartwarming authenticity and eerie tension can be seen through the lead actor, Trevor Lee as Will Halloway. Lee and Keegan Wood, as his father figure, Mr. Halloway, cq> walked a fine line between existential realization and easygoing innocence, communicating beautifully with each other on stage. Will's closest friend Jim Nightshade, played by Teddy Neltner, brought some unexpected comedic relief to darker areas of the show, lightening the mood when characters such as John Micheal Wardrop, as the antagonist Mr. Dark, threatened to bring it down with doom and gloom. The ensemble of carnies supporting Mr. Dark carried on his intimidating legacy with ease and dedication, even teaching themselves extraordinary tricks like riding a unicycle or juggling, just to paint the clear carnival picture. Needless to say, every actor did a great job in establishing the play's overall tone.
Tech elements for this production were perhaps the most challenging of all, requiring creativity and tremendous effort from the crew. Set was by far the most impressive with tons of varying set pieces of increasing sizes, including the infamous enchanted carousel, complete with special effects, strobe lights, and fog. James Adams, the creator of the carousel, started from scratch, and through a trial and error process, delivered a magnificently magical piece that rotated by his manipulation on stage, becoming what was quite possibly the most seamless aspect of the entire show. Make up, hair, and costumes also helped bring the characters to life, especially in the case of Cece Neltner as the Ice Woman and Caroline Nitardy as the Dust Witch. The Dust Witch, in particular, captured the audience's attention with her phenomenal acting ability and eerie stage countenance, but her performance was truly made complete by the crew's addition of an eye-catching steampunk dress and creepy colored contacts. Other tech elements that went incredibly well, outside of the actual performance, include the creative marketing and publicity and the efficient stage management and crew.
All together, the energy of the cast and crew channeled into an unforgettable performance as mystical as the traveling carnival itself.