Radium Girls
at St. Margarets

Reviewed on November 1, 2019

Emily Freeborn
Santa Margarita Catholic
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies

St. Margaret's Talent Shines in "Radium Girls"
written by Emily Freeborn, a junior at Santa Margarita Catholic High School

St. Margaret's poignant production of "Radium Girls" is an authentic exposition of corporate greed and gender inequality which continue to plague us today. The play follows the harrowing true story of factory girls who contract illnesses from exposure to the radioactive compound radium and their battle for justice.

Sarah Pence demonstrates her skill in a gradual yet powerful transformation of factory worker Grace Fryer from a meek employee, speaking tentatively to her boss as she wrings her hands, to the fiery eyed face of a movement. When radium exposure begins to deteriorate Grace's jaw, Pence adroitly shifts her mode of expression from her mouth to her eyes, firing vindictive glares or desperately restraining a flood of tears. In a particularly painful monologue, Pence elicits pathos as her tone builds from low dejection to exasperated screams.

As tensions build, relationships crumble. Grace and her boyfriend Tom Kreider (Matthew Lizarde) initially present a heartwarming relationship nuanced with lighthearted bickering and moments of tender intimacy. Though a demanding boss, company president Arthur Roeder (Thomas Colglazier) dotes on his wife with loving smiles at home. Fear of Grace's worsening condition causes her relationship to dissolve painfully in a final exchange of despondent pleas, juxtaposed with the decay of Roeder's marriage through abusive insults which expose his questionable morals.

Accompanying Roeder is a dynamic assortment of advisers, each embodying the immoral archetype of corporate executives. Edward Markley (Nicholas Jacome) presents a sleazy company lawyer, sauntering about the stage with an unsettling grin and cocked eyebrow as he relishes in preying upon the girls. As C.B. Lee, (Conrad Kistler) hatches plans in Roeder's office with a calm, calculating tone and takes on a falsely benevolent smile while offering the girls a pittance of a payoff.

Lighting design (Espen Garner) utilizes UV lighting to elicit an eerie green glow from the radium present throughout the show, which emphasizes the substance's omnipresence and potency. When Grace describes the blinding light of the factory, the window lights grow painfully bright, creating the opportunity for an empathetic union between viewer and character.

With emotional performances and clever lighting design, St. Margaret's elicits touching pathos in its deeply affecting production of "Radium Girls."

Leilani Obana
San Juan Hills
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

St. Margaret's 'Radium Girls' is beyond radiant
written by Leilani Obana, a freshman at San Juan Hills High School

St. Margaret's powerful production of "Radium Girls" emphasizes young female factory workers battling discrimination and injustice. Set in a radium painting studio in New Jersey, during the 1920's, the workers steadily paint minuscule details on watch faces and dials. The paint glows and illuminates, but unfortunately is extremely dangerous and can be fatal to health. With tragedy, tremendous feats, and triumph, St. Margaret's produces a prosperous performance.

Grace Fryer, portrayed by Sarah Pence, brings a determined and strong-willed character to life. Her ability to hold a convincing physicality and powerful acting choices is impeccable. Tom Kreider, Grace's love interest, is played by Matthew Lizarde, who holds a remarkable skill of conveying the progression of Tom's emotions.

Another notable actress in this exceptional cast is Zoe Shor (Kathryn Schaub), who shows a significant range of emotions surrounding the prime concept of the show, fighting for justice against a large and unfair corporation. From playful and full of life, to angry and bitter, Zoe emotes contrasting characteristics flawlessly. Jake Reeves and Aili McGregor, playing two reporters show excellent dynamics, and add a refreshing aspect to the show. Tatiana Cloobeck, who plays Grace Fryer's mother and a photographer, holds an outstanding performance showing dedication, and presence throughout the show. She listens to her fellow cast members, and remains extremely focused and committed to her character throughout the show.

The choice of lighting through the entirety of the performance proves effective corresponding to the moods and connotation during varying scenes in the show. A particular detail that is impressive and clever is the light illuminating behind the windows of the factory. In the advancement of the show, whenever Grace depicts the bright and lively atmosphere of the painting studio, the window lights would grow brighter. Another notable appearance is the use of black light to consistently illuminate the dangerous radium throughout the show. This allowed the audience to understand the presence and importance of the radium through the totality of the outstanding performance. Conceptually, the lighting design was well executed and brought great life to the show.

With beautiful technical and acting elements, St. Margaret's "Radium Girls" teaches many of persistence through times of difficulty or injustice.

Cameron Newman
San Juan Hills
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Breaking: Factory Girls Contract Radium Poisoning at St. Margaret's!
written by Cameron Newman, a senior at San Juan Hills High School

It's the 1920's, and radium is all the rage. This fluorescent miracle substance appears in everything from water to makeup for a "healthy glow". In particular, it's used to paint luminous watches. Workers lick brush tips to keep them pointed, ingesting small amounts of radium each time. Unbeknownst to them, this has dire consequences...

Based on true events, "Radium Girls" follows Grace Fryer, and others afflicted with radium poisoning, in their fight for justice against the corrupt U.S. Radium Corporation.

Sarah Pence portrays Grace with grounded grit. Her physical deterioration is captured through increasingly stilted movement, feet dragging and shoulders slouching a bit more each scene. In contrast, her emotional resilience is unwavering: her fiery tone cuts through infuriated tears as she roars her silence won't be bought.

Zoe Schor plays the vivacious Kathryn Schaub, Grace's dearest friend at the factory. Bubbly and light-hearted, she plays pranks and gossips about boys with infectious energy. As her disease progresses, her winning smile fades to a pained grimace, and she trades her girlish giggle in for weary weeping.

Thomas Colglazier as Arthur Roeder runs the U.S. Radium Corporation with commanding charisma. Initially, he's first confident and tough, moving precisely and taking up space. But this veneer begins to crack as the company's reputation becomes threatened, and he shrinks into himself, the assertive boom of his voice vanishing in lieu of a hesitant stutter.

Nicholas Jacome displays remarkable range in the roles of Edward Markley, the Corporation's manipulative lawyer, and Dr. Von Sochocky, its guilt-ridden founder. As Markley, Jacome adopts a condescending sneer and cruel laugh, his tone flipping effortlessly between honeyed and sharp. Jacome shifts gears for Von Sochocky; affecting a sophisticated German accent, he is authoritative and dignified as he assures the safety of his products, but later overwhelmed with shame, leaving his movement and speech listless and defeated.

Lighting by Espen Garner parallels the mood of the show, slowly dimming as the content grows darker. When Grace has a nightmare, the pale wash shifts to feverish pinks and blues, creating a psychedelic and ominous atmosphere. Later, as Grace describes how her room glowed at night with radium residue, the gloomy stage is flooded with light.

With pathos and poignancy, St. Margaret's preserves the legacy of the radium girls, reminding us all of the tenacity of the human spirit.