Luna Gale
at Pompano Beach High School

Reviewed on March 11, 2020

Eva Daskos
The Sagemont School
Submitted for publication to Florida Theater On Stage

The fate of so many children lies in your hands as paperwork crowds around your desk, and your phone never ceases its buzzing. It seems overwhelming, but to any social worker, it's just another day at the office. Watch as the American social system and the spirit of those it affects are tested in Pompano High School's rendition of "Luna Gale".

"Luna Gale" was created by the renowned playwright Rebecca Gilman, who used the script to explore the harsh reality of foster care and drug abuse, all through the intimacy of a 7-character cast. The storyline follows the social worker Caroline, whose many budget cuts in her office have left her with more cases than she can handle, most notably that of Luna Gale's. The fierce battle of custody between Luna's parents and grandmother stands as the central plot, as each person will do whatever it takes to get Luna. This script contains extremely fragile subject matter, and the students of Pompano Beach High School should be commended for their careful management of sensitive topics in this high-difficulty play.

The burned-out Caroline was brought to life onstage by La'Kennya Huggins who brought a new perspective to the script. Huggins captivated viewers with her boundless energy in this role. The character Caroline has an absolute dedication to her job as she balances her stress and personal trauma, this makes Caroline a challenging role to take on, Huggins must be accredited for her work in representing this complex character onstage.

Luna's case is an intricate one for Caroline, the child's parents Karli and Peter are young struggling meth addicts, and Karli's mother Cindy pushes for full custody of Luna, but Cindy's true intent is questionable. Audrey Maggio as Karli brought an authentic naturalism to this role and had believable chemistry with Alfonse Mazzarella as Peter. Mazzarella seemed to truly understand Peter's motivation which is vital in the interpretation of a character. Peter's character development was evident in Mazzarella's switch from Peter's more positive outlook to his frustration as he confronted Cindy in a pivotal plot moment. Mazzarella had impeccable articulation, which stood out amongst other performers that struggled in their line clarity. Another notable performer was Riley Dion as Cliff, Dion's scenes had a strong build which made up for other actor's moments when a needed emotional progression was lacking.

The entire production of Luna Gale was student-directed by Alfonse Mazzarella and Audrey Maggio, who also had roles within the play, this added difficulty made their direction all the more commendable. The Set crew of Abigail O'Hara & Co made multi-use sets that fit the show nicely and complimented the Props by Tasfia Howlader, which although fit the 1995-time period, could have implemented more detail. Scene changes were carried out adequately, but at times seemed rushed and effected the overall pacing of the show.

Luna is one child in a sea of children from troubled homes, but Rebecca Gilman proves that inside each case folder, an entire life is at stake. Pompano Beach High School's talented students delivered this playwright's message beautifully in their production of "Luna Gale".

Avery Anger
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School
Submitted for publication to Florida Theater On Stage

A loud silence creeps over the forlorn hospital waiting room where a young, restless teenage couple snacks on the remains of their Skittles. Eventually, a social worker enters the cold, dull room to deliver the information the pair is so anxiously awaiting; the health of their baby daughter...or so they think. In an instant, their world crashes down, for they learn that their young daughter, Luna Gale, is to be taken away and placed in kinship care. Luna Gale, the title of Pompano Beach High School's impassioned production, exposes the painful, raw reality of drug addiction, sexual abuse, and the overcrowded social welfare system.

Penned by award-winning playwright Rebecca Gilman, Luna Gale tells the tragic story of two recovering teenage meth addicts, Karli and Peter, and the fight to win custody of their beloved daughter through the eyes of a seasoned social worker, Caroline. While she juggles a fatiguing job, an arrogant boss, and other tribulations, the crude, traumatizing nature of Caroline's past emerges, as does the eerily similar background of Karli. Together, Caroline and the couple work to uncover the unsettling secrets of Karli's life, all while assuring the safety of Luna Gale.

Leading the show with her thoughtful body language was La'Kennya Huggins as Caroline. Huggins' commitment to character truly deepened the essence of reality throughout the performance, as evidenced through her intense, yet skillful, character progression. Huggins' persona interacted with many individuals on stage, including her overbearing boss, Cliff, portrayed by Riley Dion. Higgins and Dion's strained relationship was clearly expressed through their accurate and dynamic facial expressions in the more tense scenes they shared together.

Depicting the angsty, drug addicted, teenage couple was Audrey Maggio and Alfonse Mazzarella as Karli and Peter. The pair seemed very in tune with each other on stage, enhancing the complexity of their chemistry and the believability factor of the production. Individually, Maggio and Mazzarella superbly communicated the disposition of their respective characters. Maggio's authentic teenage physicality methodically captured the chaotic and unpredictable nature of her persona. In addition, Mazzarella infused the production with his occasional spurts of comedic relief, demonstrating his grounded character, for he remained more serious in the more somber moments of the performance.

Considering the fact that this rendition was entirely student produced, the cast and crew must be commended on their impressive interpretation of the heavy and mature content included in Luna Gale. The cast, though small, collectively engaged the audience with their honest performances and character consistency. Technically speaking, the elements in the production, especially the set design by Abigail O'Hara and Jasmine Francis, were subtle, purposeful, and added another dimension of reality. O'Hara and Francis's attention to detail in the set beautifully underscored the cast as they maneuvered across the stage.

With their emotion-filled performances and thoughtful technical elements, the adept cast and crew of Pompano Beach High School's take on "Luna Gale" offers an innovative perspective on the issues that plague today's society.

Emma Sugarman
J.P. Taravella High School
Submitted for publication to Florida Theater On Stage

A question of moral judgement. Amidst a vicious custody battle, who should be granted guardianship of an innocent baby? Each scene reaches new heights as Luna Gale's universe is spiraling with disorder and disarray. Pompano Beach High School's captivating production of "Luna Gale" will leave you trudging through society's endless complexities as the battle of hope and despair persists.

Written by Rebecca Gilman, this powerful production follows two drug-abusing teenagers, their vulnerable baby, an evangelical grandmother, and a passionate social worker. Premiering at the Goodman Theatre in 2014, the touching tale addresses mature content including religion, sexual abuse, teenage pregnancy, and drug overuse. As the parents battle rehabilitation and the grandmother feels dismissed due to her religious beliefs, they all pine for custody of title character "Luna Gale". The social worker's heightened emotional entanglement in her cases leads to personal realizations peaking through each file.

Leading the show with her astounding performance, La'Kennya Huggins guided the story with her clear perspective of her character's intertwining subplots. Portraying the seasoned and compassionate social worker, Caroline, Huggins maintained an engaging energy throughout the entirety of her performance. Her seamless incorporation of comedy within the otherwise heavy content was exceptional. As her character is faced with increasing emotional fatigue, Huggins impeccably displayed the progression of her impending "burnout".

Embodying Luna Gale's 19-year-old mother, Karli, Audrey Maggio aided the depiction of this harsh reality through her authentic performance. Maggio presented expressive facials and a clear understanding of her character's hardships. Alfonse Mazzarella, portraying Peter, the father of the baby, added a lighter and energized spirit contrasting the darker tone of Karli's nature. Showcasing clear articulation and strong characterization with effortless comedic moments, Mazzarella captured the dynamic quality of his role. Additionally, Maggio and Mazzarella also took on the responsibility of directing the show. The pair did a commendable job capturing the sensitivity of the mature themes and undoubtedly balanced both of their demanding responsibilities.

The cast of this production showcased the severity of the show with their explicit understanding of the magnitude of their lines. Although some actors' diction and projection caused the loss of some plot points and the pacing of the show was periodically inconsistent, any faults were remedied by the cast's commitment to their roles and genuine line delivery.

The story may follow the estrangement of these characters, however, the technical crew clearly worked as a unified group to simulate the depths of this unfortunately, all too real world. Despite the slightly prolonged scene transitions, the set crew worked efficiently, and the underscoring helped to maintain the somber environment. The effective use of set, props, and costumes remained period appropriate and helped depict the play's realism.

As the tale uncovers the typically hidden faults of society, we turn to the treasured adage "love conquers all" as a glimmer of hope. Through the entwinement of prejudices, traumatic pasts, and impossible decisions, Pompano Beach High School's heart-wrenching production of "Luna Gale" will test the true strength of this cherished phrase.

Samantha Hallenberg
North Broward Preparatory School
Submitted for publication to Florida Theater On Stage

Shedding a light on the dark subject matters of drug addiction, sexual abuse, and the flaws in child protective services, Pompano Beach High School exposed the harsh realities and impactful art throughout their stirring presentation of Luna Gale.

Written by Rebecca Gilman, the story of Luna Gale surrounds the passionate social worker, Caroline, and her newest case involving Peter and Karli, two teenage drug addicts accused of neglecting their baby, Luna. While Luna is placed with Karlie's mother, Cindy, Caroline digs further into the case, unearthing dark secrets that force these flawed characters to confront their demons.

Each actor did a fantastic job at telling this heart wrenching story. The social worker, Caroline, played by La'Kennya Huggins, clearly showed that her motivation to help children was propelled by the terrors of her early childhood and the lingering guilt she carried over from her predecessor. Cindy, played by Amalia Phend, skillfully portrayed her character's blind and obsessive faith. The honesty that Ms. Phend brought to Cindy's story arc allowed Cindy's demeanor to unravel, and brought a credible rawness and intensity to her performance. Peter, played by Alfonse Mazzarella, revealed himself to be the true protagonist of the play, giving a remarkable performance as the young addict who works to overcome any hardship to become a proper father to Luna. Lastly, Audrey Maggio's portrayal of her character Karli was both captivating and authentic. Maggio captured the essence of her character, Karli, with a great sense of maturity and plausibility. Her believability as a damaged but well-intentioned girl dealing with substance abuse was a powerful statement about America's quiet drug addiction epidemic.

The lighting, by Shea Heiton, enhanced the chilling reality the characters faced in their given circumstances. Specifically, the opening scene's bright hospital lighting juxtaposes the dark truths and hardships Karli, Peter, and Caroline would soon face. The lighting highlighted was used to deliberately deceive the audience. The warmer lighting used in Cindy's first scene was meant to show Cindy as a more sympathetic character and a more appropriate parental guardian for Luna, a reality dispelled later in the production. The lighting was also cleverly used to signal scenes that might be difficult to watch. A red light was used during a blackout, to signify the following scene would include sensitive content.

The sound, orchestrated by Brooke Wittie, was seamless. A unique and effective detail was Wittie's usage of hanging microphones used instead of the standard, more commonly used facial mic which could potentially distract the audience from the plausibility of the performance.

Overall, Pompano Beach High School's production of Luna Gale exemplified the true power of theatre. The simplicity of their production allowed for an honest and clear telling of the impactful story of Luna Gale.

Leah Tomas
J.P. Taravella High School
Submitted for publication to Florida Theater On Stage

"I think you can really tell how well a society functions by how its most vulnerable members are treated. If we can't take care of our children, we are failing. We're not doing our job." -Rebecca Gilman. Pompano Beach High School's production of "Luna Gale" truly captures Gilman's themes of forgiveness, love, and betrayal for an unflinchingly truthful reflection of the hardships faced by those born into adversity.

With a book written by Pulitzer Prize-nominated author Rebecca Gilman, "Luna Gale" made its world premiere at the Albert Theatre with Chicago's Goodman Theatre Company in 2014, directed by Robert Falls. The story follows Caroline Cox, a social worker faced with determining the fate of infant Luna Gale, a baby born to two teenage parents with a history of substance abuse. As unexpected information and hidden motives are revealed, a deeply conflicted Caroline must choose whether baby Luna's future lies with her arguably unfit parents, her fanatically religious grandmother, or the instability of foster care.

La'Kennya Huggins (Caroline) led the production with captivating energy and established authentic relationships with each of her fellow actors onstage. Huggins illustrated an evident emotional arc and character development throughout her performance through her mannerisms conveying the gradual weight of exhaustion and hopelessness felt by her character as the story progressed.

Audrey Maggio (Karli) and Alfonse Mazzarella (Peter) conveyed genuine chemistry through their portrayal of a natural and comfortable relationship, and made excellent use of physicality to express varying states of sobriety. Mazzarella demonstrated a wide range of expression alongside effective line delivery facilitated by strong diction. Amalia Phend (Cindy) delivered consistent energy and commitment to her character in addition to her flawless execution of a southern dialect.

Eduardo Vargas (Pastor Jay) displayed genuine characterization alongside a developed relationship with Phend, and Riley Dion (Cliff) did an excellent job creating tension during scenes in which her character sparked conflict. Sarah Lash (Lourdes) utilized subtle mannerisms and strong characterization to capture the quiet nature of her role. Though the production's pacing and minor diction issues resulted in the loss of certain plot points, the cast as a whole did a great job maintaining consistent character choices and energy.

The technical elements of this production were excellent. Although scene changes were rough at certain points, set pieces were extremely versatile, allowing for the establishment of multiple distinct locations. Time period appropriate costuming facilitated the differentiation between character ages and personalities along with the visual progression of time. Hair and makeup were character appropriate, and the wig worn by Amalia Phend (Cindy) looked realistic onstage. Though lighting difficulties were frequent, this production exhibited consistent execution of sound elements and impressive student direction.

Pompano Beach High School's production of "Luna Gale" is a heartbreaking depiction of the fragility of institutions designed to protect those unable to protect themselves, and the immense compassion, strength, and determination possessed by the few that have dedicated their lives to helping the helpless.

Nick Vela
J.P. Taravella High School
Submitted for publication to American Heritage

An individual's childhood is an immensely influential factor in their long-term development, causing the decision to have a child to be an exceedingly serious one. As well-known American writer Mark Twain once inquisitively expressed, "The two most important days in your life are the day you are born, and the day you find out why." Pompano Beach High School's commendable production of "Luna Gale" tackled the ethically challenging moral dimensions of child neglect and the terribly controversial conflict social workers must conquer, with careful consideration and poise, making for a heartbreakingly unforgettable tale of love and betrayal.

Having its world premiere at Chicago's Goodman Theatre in 2014, Rebecca Gilman's "Luna Gale" follows the long-time social worker Caroline, as she deals with the countless obstacles her job throws at her. The gripping story begins as Caroline is assigned to a new case, involving a pair of teenage drug addicts accused of neglecting their baby. As familial relations are severed further, and the dark secrets of the past are uncovered, this merciless battle for custody forces Caroline to make a risky decision with potentially catastrophic consequences.

Leading the production with a captivating stage presence and exuberant energy, La'Kennya Huggins delivered a passionate performance as the overly empathetic Caroline. Her expressive facials and clear motivation made for an engaging character, with distinct relationships toward each and every one of her fellow actors. Huggins' clear character development, fueled by the increasing intensity of her role's profession, promoted genuine emotion, which was evident in her memorable performance.

Accompanying Huggins in her story of peril and strife was the troubled teenage couple Karli and Peter, portrayed by Audrey Maggio and Alfonse Mazzarella respectively. Maggio's natural characterization and physical display of tension versus comfort illustrated her character's authentic reactions and emotional unrest. Mazzarella's consistent physicality, superb projection, and distinct acting choices, aided in the communication of his intense feelings. Together, Maggio and Mazzarella established a simplistic, relaxed, and convincing relationship, along with an in-depth understanding of who their characters are.

Despite having some minor pacing issues and occasionally misleading comedic line deliveries, the cast as a whole was highly entertaining. The subtlety of the actors complemented the dramatic tone of the piece and forged a realistic environment.

Aside from minimal sound imbalances and lighting inconsistencies, the technical elements of the production were smoothly executed. The set's multifunctionality and attention to detail, paired with time-period appropriate props and intentionally individualized costumes, elevated the production's quality and highlighted the remarkable student direction of an incredibly mature piece, done by Audrey Maggio and Alfonse Mazzarella.

Pompano Beach High School's compassionately compelling production of "Luna Gale" brought the naturally-occurring disorder of life to the stage, through the high-stakes story of tragically flawed people who are unfortunately placed in unbelievably difficult circumstances.