The Last Lifeboat
at Lee's Summit High School

Reviewed on February 29, 2020

Libby East
Harrisonville High School
Submitted for publication to KC Star Online

A TRAGEDY RETOLD

The ship is going down, that much is clear, but whose fault is it really? Could it be the cheapskate of a millionaire who funded the project, the sleazy senator who had it out for the designer from the beginning, or the man behind the Titanic itself? For J. Bruce Ismay,the central character in Lee's Summit High School's production of THE LAST LIFEBOAT, the verdict isn't looking good.

Everyone knows the tragedy that is the Titanic, but not many know of the lasting effect it had on those involved with its creation. J. Bruce Ismay, played by Bryce Williams, designed what was hailed as the biggest ship ever built, The RMS Titanic. The ship was supposed to set the record for the fastest trip from England to America. Of course, catastrophe struck when the ship collided with a massive iceberg. Hundreds of lives were lost and those lucky enough to survive had their lives changed forever. This especially goes for the Ismay's. After having saved all the passengers he could, J. Bruce Ismay boarded the last lifeboat, only to see crowds of doomed souls as he descended past them into the icy depths. Titled as a coward and a villain, Ismay is brought under fire and held in America to be tried for manslaughter. He is ultimately proven not guilty, but across the way in England, opinions seem to differ.

Right from the beginning, it is clear who commands the stage. Williams's performance is captivating and realistic. He can perfectly portray each moment in Ismay's life, from a curious, young child to a crippling old man. His character development is simply superb. The same can be said for his lovely counterpart, Florence, played by Avery Beavers. When the two first meet, they style awkward and childish personalities, which makes for believable chemistry. Beavers does an excellent job showing off the many personality traits of her character. She can execute every emotion flawlessly while still being incredibly realistic, which makes for a charming three-dimensional character.

Not only do the leads make this show what it is, the cast is also filled with talented supporting actors. One name that stands out is Emma Davenport. Her ability to make such a small part stand out is simply admirable. Another actor who shows exquisite talent is Luke Harrison. Although Harrison plays multiple characters, he is mostly known to be a villain throughout the show. He plays his parts in such an effective way that it makes one love to hate his character. This, believe it or not, is a good thing.

Lee's Summit High School makes great use of the technical aspects involved with this production. The combination of cold colors and booming sounds make for a dramatic atmosphere, especially during the scenes taking place on the Titanic. The effects carried out with the fog machine also add to the production's intense nature.

Of course, there are moments where an actor or two would break character, or the moving of the scrim would distract the audience from the main attention points, but the show as a whole is wonderfully put together and simply a delight to watch.

Lee's Summit High School's THE LAST LIFEBOAT brought its audience to tears as it told the traumatic tale of J. Bruce Ismay. The production is thoroughly enjoyable and truly a unique experience that should be enjoyed by all lucky enough to see it!

George Frees
Harrisonville High School
Submitted for publication to The Pitch

A DEEP DIVE INTO THE PAST

THE LAST LIFEBOAT by Luke Yankee as executed by Lees Summit High School will have you guessing until the very end. The effective, emotional performance given by the actors pulls you in, without giving anything away. The audience is quite literally drawn into the story as they are on stage with the actors. This gives a sense of closeness lacking in many other plays. The small liberties taken by the cast and crew of THE LAST LIFEBOAT make this production unique with its visible scene changes and versatile actors.

THE LAST LIFEBOAT by Luke Yankee tells the story of J. Bruce Ismay, the designer of the Titanic, and the accusations leveled against him after its sinking. This little-known documentary play deals with many issues still relevant today. With the advent of a new voyage by a second Titanic in a couple of years, perhaps we should consider the tragedies of the past, so as not to repeat them in the future. Additionally, with each actor playing one or often more roles, they are able to fully showcase their talent.

This production by Lee's Summit High School truly conveys the adaptability of the performers. With a cast of only 11, each actor is required to fill multiple roles. As such, every actor is shown to be skilled enough to keep the characters separate even through quick transitions. In addition, a good balance is struck between the subtlety of transitions between characters and providing enough discrepancy for the audience to perceive the changes.

Avery Beavers distinguishes herself in her role as Florence Ismay by adapting her character throughout the play. Her affections toward the character of her husband are also well played. Bryce Williams as J. Bruce Ismay, the subject of the story, is a visibly talented actor who always captures the attention of the audience. During times when his character was under duress, Williams expresses these raw, emotional moments with great skill.

Though small in number, the supporting actors make a big impact upon the play. Luke Harrison, who among many other roles plays Hearst, is pivotal in progressing the storyline smoothly and shows his dedication to every role he fills. Harrison's performance lends a sense of professionalism to this production. Similarly, Emma Bauman as Vivian demonstrates her commitment to her character and gives a convincing performance. In some instances, certain characters are a bit overzealous in their emotions, but overall they are presented well.

A few of the technical aspects of Lees Summit High School's production of THE LAST LIFEBOAT distinguish it. Chiefly, the subtle movement of the few props on the stage set the tone for each new scene, and expertly guide the attention of the audience. The use of different colors and patterns in the lighting adds another dimension to the performance. Certain effects, such as fake blood, add a sense of realism. However, some of the makeup could have been lessened in its vividity as the audience was seated rather close to the performers. In all, there is room to improve but the technical aspects, on the whole, improve the quality of this play.

Lees Summit High School's production of THE LAST LIFEBOAT is a captivating experience. The story and the skill of those telling it will have you thoroughly enthralled. The minimal set leads to a performance that is anything but. Overall, this performance will have you ready to take a deep dive into the past and ponder the human ideals of honor and our choices for the future.

Breezy Semler
Harrisonville High School
Submitted for publication to Lee's Summit Tribune

LEE'S SUMMIT ASKS US TO DECIDE: HERO OR VILLAIN?

All aboard! As you begin your walk up the ramp, you feel the cool ocean air. The crew greets you as you take your seat aboard the ship bound for America. Once you're seated, the lights come up on a stage full of men and women ready to perform.

In 1912, the RMS Titanic made both its maiden and final voyage. The infamous luxury liner sank to the bottom of the ocean taking all but 705 of the approximately 3,300 souls aboard with it. Lee's Summit High School's production of THE LAST LIFEBOAT follows J. Bruce Ismay, the man behind the Titanic, through his turbulent life- all the way to his death. This haunting play asks us to decide: Was he a hero? Or a villain?

Playing the lead role of J. Bruce Ismay is Bryce Williams. This young performer clearly understands the depth of this character. Not to mention the incredible chemistry he shares with Avery Beavers, who plays Florence Ismay, his wife. Beavers does a truly outstanding job of playing Florence's emotion through the play. Her nervousness when she first meets Bruce is captivating and adorable. She smoothly develops Florence from a love-struck little girl to a fierce and protective mother and wife.

THE LAST LIFEBOAT calls for an incredible supporting cast and Lee's Summit High School does not lack that. Actor Steele Ciafullo plays various roles in this production but one that stands out is J. P. Morgan. Similarly, Luke Harrison plays William Randolph Hearst. Both these characters are men from J. Bruce Ismay's past that are, to the audience, villains. Ciafullo and Harrison make these the kind of characters you love to hate. They both play their sleaze-ball characters with total believability. This is all the more impressive when they then switch to a different, more likable character that they play the same level of believability.

This production's ensemble never fails to produce an excellent scene. Whether it is in a ballroom or a courtroom, the ensemble always has a strong sense of when and where they are. The subtle background dancers, courtroom attendees, or ship passengers always add and never detract from a scene. They give this play a sense of realism that many high school productions lack.

One thing that is impossible to ignore is this production's set. The set uses a minimalist approach, making sure that the permanent set is versatile. The set itself is shaped vaguely like the ill-fated Titanic but is used as a ship, a ballroom, a courtroom, an English home, and so much more. This beautiful and imaginative set is all thanks to talented designer, Samantha Schmidt.

THE LAST LIFEBOAT asks us many questions. Some we know and some we never will. But after seeing Lee's Summit's fantastic production, one thing is abundantly clear. This school has talent beyond compare and it seems like they'll be staying afloat for a very long time.