Buddies and The Philadelphia
at W. T. Woodson High School

Reviewed on April 24, 2021

Katherine Reif
Stone Bridge High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

"There is a fifth dimension, beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area we call The Twilight Zone." This monologue, performed by Rod Serling, was featured at the beginning a TV series that traversed space and time and different, wacky dimensions where nothing was ever quite right. The theater department at W. T. Woodson High School could have started their performances the same way before leading the audience on a journey through fantastical new adventures and thrilling places. The school provided a double-feature: student-written podcast "Buddies!!" and student-directed play "The Philadelphia" by David Ives. The theme for the night was alternate worlds: whether in a miserable state of mind or tormented by a haunted VHS tape, the students did a remarkable job of telling very different stories.

"Buddies!!" was a spooky podcast about a group of friends and a 1960s-era sitcom. Mikey (Farooq Khan), Ashley (Rachel Sper), Brittany (Maddie Keene), Nicole (Anna Closs), Jessie (Diya Selvan), and Chris (Jacob Boyett) find an old VHS tape featuring a sitcom called "The Buddies." However, things don't go as usual when the tape starts acting unexpectedly.

The recording had a very similar atmosphere to a radio play or The Twilight Zone, featuring an impressive array of student-made sound effects. The writing excelled in showing a distinct difference between the two eras it showcases. While most of the performance takes place in the 2000s, everything from the vernacular to the manner of speaking changes sharply when the sitcom is playing. Rachel Sper's editing of the voices not only made it sound like they were in the same room together but also seemed to paint a 3-dimensional map of where everyone was and what they were doing. Despite lacking visuals, the podcast made the action very clear.

"The Philadelphia" was a comedy satirizing various cities in the United States, namely, Philadelphia. Mark, portrayed by Rachel Furr, had been having an off day, with nothing going according to plan. Al, played by Robbie Wilcox, explained that this was "a Philadelphia." No matter what you asked for, you'd get the opposite. The paradoxical nature of this satire leads to wacky hijinks and fast-paced action.

Set in a restaurant and filmed in a student's backyard, the show doesn't shy away from the reality of our world or try to minimize the effect that the pandemic has had on theater as a whole. Student director Elizabeth Vichness expertly balanced film with traditional theater, blocking her actors in a way that felt natural and effortless without sacrificing quality. The camera work was superb with vibrant colors, excellent framing, and immaculate continuity. Despite filming outdoors, the actors' voices were clear and clean with a diverse soundscape and without wind noise. The lighting highlighted the actors without being distracting. The actors excelled in their performances, with dizzyingly fast line deliveries and physicality that showcased their cities.

In the end, the two shows could not have been more different. One had the horror and intrigue of a Goosebumps book, and the other could have been a sketch straight from The Animaniacs. However, both fit the theme exquisitely and expertly told the stories they aimed to relay. The students deserve a big round of applause for their ability to adapt to COVID restrictions and continue to produce an excellent show.

Maura Pelczynski
Chantilly High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

There are days where you feel as though you've woken up in an entirely different world. Where just nothing will go right, and everything feels wrong. At that point, you might wonder to yourself: how did I get here, and how do I leave? W.T. Woodson High School explores this feeling in their two shows, Buddies!! and The Philadelphia.

W.T. Woodson's first show, Buddies!!, was a bone-chilling horror story in a podcast, centered around a group of friends who found an old VHS tape that may be more ominous than it first appeared. Written by the cast, Buddies told a compelling story with subtle rising tension throughout the show. Buddies didn't thrust the audience into the horror; instead, the writing let the fear seep through the dialogue. The horror was furthered by the phenomenal vocal performances of Anna Closs, Farooq Khan, and Jacob Boyett, who played the 60s sitcom characters within the VHS tape. Their soft, melodic, tones and smooth transatlantic accents created a menacing atmosphere, juxtaposed nicely against the perky teenage voices of the rest of the ensemble.

As a podcast, Buddies relied on sound alone to tell the story. Luckily, Buddies' editor, Rachel Sper, filled the show with detailed sound effects. From the soft click of the VHS tape to the ear-piercing static from the TV, the sound effects made the story feel dynamic and real. Some scenes required overlapping noise, and Sper's sound mixing ensured no actor was ever drowned out.

Buddies' visuals were limited to cover art and a tagline, but the podcast even utilized what little visuals they had to their furthest extent. Once the gradual terror of Buddies reached its climax, the story shut off, and the unobtrusive cover art grew distorted and glitchy. The eerie ending's use of the visuals in an otherwise audio-only show was a fantastic subversion of expectation.

W.T Woodson's other show, The Philadelphia by David Ives, was a more comedic take on the idea of being pulled into another world. The play centered around two friends, Al and Mark, meeting up for lunch, but Mark's whole world seemed to be functioning backwards. Al explained that Mark was caught in a "Philadelphia," where you're given the opposite of anything you want.

The Philadelphia was shot in a cast member's backyard, transformed into a restaurant's outdoor seating patio with detailed set dressing. The show's costumes, designed by Rachel Furr, demonstrated character before the actors even said a word.

Furthermore, the actors put thought into their characters before bringing them to the screen, and that came through in their performance. The cast was bursting with chemistry, allowing for expert comedic timing and fast-paced dialogue. Al, played by Robbie Willcox, brought a relaxed energy, in contrast to Rachel Furr's high-strung Mark. Set against both was the dry-humored waitress, played by Anna Riley.

The Philadelphia was filmed with incredible continuity between shots. Editor Robbie Willcox created smooth transitions that cleanly wove the show together. Thanks to the direction of Elizabeth Vichness, The Philadelphia came out as a brilliantly fast-paced laugh riot.

Through horror and comedy, W.T. Woodson's double feature of Buddies and The Philadelphia brought both chills and thrills to the screen. These shows assured us that although sometimes the world may feel as if it's been turned on its head, there's no reason to panic or fight it. Just sit back and try to enjoy the wacky ride before things return to normal--if there ever was a normal in the first place.

Elizabeth Cheek
Justice High School
Submitted for publication to FCPS Community News

What happens when a mysterious VHS tape goes rogue? Or when you find yourself stuck in a recurring pattern of unintentional jinxes?

The answers, surprisingly, may be found amid our own lives.

W.T. Woodson High School's enthralling double feature of "Buddies!" / "The Philadelphia" combines productions that illustrate the thrilling yet hysterical sensations of losing touch with reality. From the expert portrayal of harmless curiosity turned inexplicable fear, to the reactions one has when faced with repeatedly unfortunate situations, the students have crafted a remarkable contrast in artistic expression while remaining devoted to the themes evident in almost otherworldly times.

The riveting audio tale of "Buddies!" followed friends Ashley, Nicole, Brittany, Mikey, Chris, and Jessie, as they encountered bizarre activity on a VHS tape of an old sitcom with characters Mama and Papa Buddie wishing to find their son, Billy, some friends. The tape's suspicious nature left the friends distraught, wishing to be rid of it, though it appeared the Buddies had other plans.

This podcast-style performance enhanced the work of student-driven theatre in an eerie yet oddly captivating way. Impeccable audio mixing and effects by Rachel Sper played a prominent factor in its sinister delivery, from the tape's vintage laugh track to the door slams and footsteps dispersed among the six friends, that created an authentically immersive experience despite a lack of visual representation. Additionally, the entirely student-written script presents a thoughtful balance between the fluctuating gloominess and comedic elements, executed in a way that embraced a well-rounded and relatable feel. The actors were also commendable, as their distinct voices and clear tonal shifts assisted in the production's overall cohesiveness. Notably, Maddie Keene effectively expressed Brittany's progression from enthusiastic to frantic, while Farooq Khan's impression of both casual Mikey and the darkly melodious Papa Buddie displayed great vocal range that contributed to the cryptic tone.

After "Buddies!" came a David Ives one-act entitled "The Philadelphia," which centered around a California Cool Al and dismal Mark at a restaurant and their resulting conversation after Mark revealed the unexplainably awful day he had been having. Al concluded that Mark must be "in a Philadelphia," where the only way Mark can get what he wants is by asking for the opposite. With remarks from a nonchalant waitress and some cruelly hilarious banter, Mark found a way to cope with his Philadelphia that inadvertently brought Al into it.

This modern-day adaptation refreshingly captured the delight of in-person theatre while integrating mask safety protocol into the performance. The use of a student's backyard for the setting elevated to the realistic feel with natural lighting and background noises. The costume design by Rachel Furr exhibited excellent characterization that helped differentiate the variance in moods, and Robbie Willcox's footage compilation elevated the continuity of the show, making the transitions appear smooth and accommodating of character's entrances. Furthermore, Willcox and Furr's depictions of Al and Mark's practically flipped personas made for enjoyable entertainment, with Willcox as Al showcasing their display of sudden agitation once Al realized he was in a Philadelphia, and Furr as Mark conveying the relaxed energy Mark embodied upon learning a way to navigate his predicament.

The somewhat alternate dimensions presented in this amusing double feature indicate uncontrollable situations, whether it be regarding the supernatural or common misfortune, frightening or comical, a tape or a Philadelphia. It is perhaps in these times that W.T. Woodson reminds us to acknowledge our lack of control, to persevere through our Philadelphias and VHS tapes, and simply look to the future.

Edie Obernberger
Chantilly High School
Submitted for publication to Patch (Fairfax/Alexandria)

In a world and life where so much seems to be going wrong, how can we handle it? Where can we turn? From cheesesteaks to chilling sitcoms, humor to horror, Woodson High School's double feature of The Philadelphia and their original podcast, Buddies, showcased the raw confusion and helplessness that come with losing control.

Buddies, an audio performance was written and produced by Woodson's Theatre Arts 2 and 3 students and centered on six friends who decided to watch an old VHS tape--supposedly of a 60s style sitcom--and realized it's far more than they bargained for.

The six hung out, and right from the beginning their fluidity and comfort level of conversation were incredibly realistic and immersing, with well-timed banter and notable chemistry even just through audio (Rachel Sper, Anna Closs, Farooq Khan, Jacob Boyett, Diya Selvan, Maddie Keene). Then, when the VHS tape played, Closs, Khan, and Boyett's voices shifted in tone from playing the children to playing the Buddies living within the tape. The shifts were so smooth it was barely noticeable they were the same actors. The seamless transatlantic accents perfectly fitted the 60s era, and Khan's voice specifically sounded straight out of an old sitcom, adding to the creepy effect of the past coming into the present and establishing a clear switch of character.

With all the editing and sound done by one of the actors (Rachel Sper), the seamless execution became even more impressive. As a podcast, it was imperative that the sound levels were perfect so the actors could all be clearly understood, and Sper delivered on that and more. On multiple occasions many people were talking at once, sometimes including those on the VHS tape--every time, important lines could still be heard well without overpowering others. The voices on the tape itself had an entirely different sound quality, making them easy to differentiate, and attention to detail with extra sounds like laughing tracks and glitches truly acted to tie the podcast together.

Woodson then transitioned to a more humorous take on lack of control in their performance of The Philadelphia. Eating at a restaurant was Al (Robbie Willcox) with very light, uncaring mannerisms and a relaxed way of speaking. Willcox channeled the natural charisma and charm that came with being in a "Los Angeles state of mind." This provided a great contrast with Mark (Rachel Furr), stuck in a Philadelphia where nothing seemed to go quite right. A wonderful storyteller, Furr's wild and restless gestures and switches in tone to mock others strongly conveyed her pent-up annoyance and confusion. With both acting very naturally with their masks and with the waitress (Anna Riley) having very natural background actions, the three actors helped make the scene not only hilarious, but smooth and relatable.

Like Buddies, The Philadelphia had very fitting tech choices of its own that truly furthered the scene. Having the restaurant outside not only gave actors more flexibility, but it made the scene more COVID-friendly and appealing overall. The editing of the video itself (Willcox) was very good as well, with sound balancing the volume of nature and actors, as well as perfect cuts from angle to angle. These cuts not only allowed for better spacing as different actors came in but helped to represent shifts in tone--as a character became upset with a change, viewers were jolted with sudden change as well.

With arresting and thought-provoking performances, Woodson High School's production of Buddies and The Philadelphia gives us a hard truth of life: we won't always have control--but we can still make the most of it.

Liam Bates
Justice High School
Submitted for publication to Connection

Throughout the past year, many of us have craved a form of escapism into another world. The concept of being plopped in an uncanny version of our universe is what heads W. T. Woodson High School's double feature "Buddies" and "The Philadelphia." Both shows take unique approaches to the antics that come with the complex concept of alternate worlds - and how they may not be that different from our own.

"Buddies" is a short original podcast about a group of friends discovering a mysterious VHS tape. Gifted as a belated birthday present, the VHS contains a fun 1960s sitcom, appropriately titled "Buddies" - but when the teens pop in the tape, they quickly realize they are playing a game in which a malicious force is pulling the strings. The use of a podcast format works wonders for "Buddies", limiting the audience to an audio-only experience forces them to absorb every tense and chaotic moment, adding to the suspenseful atmosphere that the cast purposefully crafted.

Editor Rachel Spur should be commended for her phenomenal work on the sound design of "Buddies" Both the audio layering and mixing were perfectly tailored to bring out the fear and lack of control that the characters experience. Every student-made sound effect was used to its advantage to clue the audience in to what is exactly going on, all without any visuals. Furthermore, Anna Closs, Farooq Khan, and Jacob Boyett as The Buddy Family all perfectly captured the sitcom aesthetic with immaculate Trans-Atlantic accents that were commonplace at the time. Khan especially imposed a calm yet unnerving presence with his inflections that the audience wouldn't soon forget. Overall, "Buddies" offered an incredibly unique experience that is a must-listen for podcast enthusiasts, horror fans, or anyone looking for a unique slice of entertainment.

"The Philadelphia" is a 2021 short film adaptation of David Ives' one-act play of the same name. The story follows two friends Mark (Rachel Furr) and Al (Robbie Willcox) at an outdoor restaurant. The first scene quickly established the 2021 setting with a double-masked waitress (Anna Riley) and elbow bumps exchanged between Mark and Al. The choice to set the play in our current day becomes quickly apparent once the plot of the play started gaining momentum. Mark and Al existed in an anomalous pocket of reality called a Philadelphia where the opposite occurred whenever something is asked. The global pandemic imagery further highlights the absurdist nature of the piece, which is only accentuated by the infectious energy that every actor brought to the table.

Furr and Wilcox stole the show as Mark and Al. The duo's comedic timing and high-octane enthusiasm allowed the audience to sit back and enjoy the crazy ride that the characters were taking them on. Moreover, Riley did a phenomenal job in her comedic role, perfectly selling the concept of The Philadelphia to the audience so they could truly appreciate the absurdity. The directing and editing of "The Philadelphia" should also be praised. Student director Elizabeth Vichness did a spectacular job blocking and framing the show to replicate the experience of live theatre through the medium of film, and editor Robbie Willcox expertly used the various camera angles to a comedic advantage, as well as using diegetic sound to create a pleasant, yet oxymoronic, atmosphere.

"The Philadelphia" is another extraordinary work by W. T. Woodson High School. Both performances offered unique takes on a similar concept that is especially captivating today. The overall imagination, execution, and quality of each work should allow them both to stand as testament to the untapped potential of virtual performances.

Max Belmar
Justice High School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

They say not to be consumed by the things you see on TV, but what if the TV consumes you? W.T. Woodson High School breaks down this haunting concept through their innovative double-feature, "Buddies" and "The Philadelphia." Audiences are transported throughout time, tasked with navigating the juxtaposing cultural phenomena. The show starts with "Buddies" in the 1960s and then branches out to an alternate dimension, a "Philadelphia," if you will.

"Buddies" is a beautifully ominous depiction of America's favorite pastime: getting swept up in a good television show. Written and edited by a team of talented W.T. Woodson High School students, this ambitious production utilized the medium of short-form podcasts to entrance its listeners. The story began with a group of modern-day teenagers celebrating a friend's birthday with an old television tape. This simplistic celebration, however, slowly morphed into a chilling nightmare. What made this production particularly stand out was its fast-paced nature, created by both the character relationships and the audio mixing. Rachel Sper was responsible for melding these two worlds together, as well as the eerie background music that is reminiscent of classic horror films.

But this astonishing auditory experience was a collaborative effort, enhanced by the actors who helped this story come to life. Some cast members were responsible for playing two roles simultaneously, switching between the transatlantic accents found in 60s sitcoms and the voice of the modern teenager. One actor, in particular, Farooq Khan, played both Mikey and Papa Buddie flawlessly. His mastery of these accents established a clear distinction between the two roles. The show's dialogue, while petrifying and comedic at times, was effortlessly scary and wonderfully portrayed.

From there, the audience was transported to Ana's Diner for "The Philadelphia." But the place these characters call home, New York City, was only a sliver of their true location. In addition to living in their physical setting, actors had to present a separate mentality. Al (Robbie Wilcox) and Mark (Rachel Furr), the main characters in this show, presented an absurdist, comedic relationship that was grounded by the level-headed waitress (Anna Riley). While Al tried to mask his troubles with a Los Angeles, or carefree, mindset, his plans were ruined with a Philly cheesesteak, which brought him back to the "Philadelphia" mentality. This sandwich metaphorically symbolized the idea that our actions are influenced by our mindset, and that we must acknowledge our struggles before we move forward.

This production, unlike "Buddies", was a video performance, set in the backyard of one crew member's house. The set and blocking were adapted to comply with covid restrictions, but their seamless camera work made audiences feel like they were sitting in the diner alongside the cast.

These productions are different in so many respects. Separate time periods, one being student-written and the other being a long-time classic. But they come together through their fascination with exploring the unknown. Ideas that one cannot see at first glance. It takes the presence of nondescript objects, whether that be a Philly cheesesteak or an antique television set, to help these protagonists reach their moment of reckoning. W.T. Woodson performed these productions in a time of collective struggle and made it possible for audience members to be transported into an alternate dimension of their own. Learning that we, too, share similar desires to the people in these stories.