That Sinking Feeling: The Misfortunate Few
at Broad Run High School

Reviewed on February 20, 2021

Hayley Asai
Quince Orchard High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

A clairvoyant, a lookout, two aristocrats, twin brothers, an expecting mother, and one lifeboat. An odd band that makes up the characters of That Sinking Feeling: The Misfortunate Few, produced by Broad Run High School. In a piece by the local playwright Brant Powell, passengers from all walks of life aboard the Titanic are unceremoniously crammed together in a desperate effort to leave the sinking ship. What ensues is a hilarious struggle that showcases the power of comedy to alleviate tragedy.

The show, part of a three-act play, contained a striking main cast of six. Every single character brought new life to the comedic tone. However, some performances were particularly notable, including the posh Duff-Gordon couple, played by Adam Tamrjan and Juliann Jacobs who showcased remarkable chemistry in their refined characters. In addition, the mystical fortune-teller Madame Zora Van Zant, played by Naomi Dimberu, displayed a smartly chosen array of facial expressions which were perfectly suited for the intimate nature of a camera and commendable acting that allowed the show to retain its wit and self-awareness.

Though all of the actor's performances should be applauded for their efforts and skill, Katelyn Smith, who played both Frederick the Black, and his brother, Samuel Collins, managed to vigorously distinguish both characters from each other. The self-centered and explosive Frederick was played with a fiery passion akin to the fear from all the passengers in a way that demanded the attention of the viewer. In stark contrast, Sam was played with selflessness and generosity on a level of consistency that requires a strong understanding of acting.

Still, the chorus that winds its way through the show and unites the production is Theo Mastio. Although they worked unseen by the audience, Mastio must be praised due to their part in the direction, editing, and cinematography of the show. In the end, the editing was completed in a way that made no compromises to the quality of the show. The editing, which was undoubtedly no easy undertaking with every ten minutes of video taking approximately two hours to edit. For their efforts, special thanks must be given to the entire editing team (Jannah Fawzy, Nicholas Kaplan, Rachael McNutt, Natalie Saint-Rossy) who managed to splice each line in a way that aided the actors while fitting within the established tone.

All that being said, the show would not be complete without the other technical elements, which included the sets, cinematography, and lighting. The sets brought a clever level of depth and grounded the show. The cinematographers filmed the actors in person which allowed for a variety of shots to be sprinkled throughout. Despite the physical filming distance between the actors, the lighting created unity between the different actors.

On the night that the Titanic sank, the band played on, even as the ship descended into the waters. Much like the iconic tale of the band aboard the Titanic, Broad Run High School's production is a triumph amidst the tragedy of a global pandemic and a tale of perseverance. Hysterical and captivating, it is a must-see and is sure to blow audiences out of the water.

Emma Barnes
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

The RMS Titanic is sinking. What will happen when a misfortune teller, two twins as opposite as north and south, and a whole host of other zany personalities all jockey for a place on the first lifeboat? With a heavy dose of skilled cinematography, Broad Run High School boldly took on this first tale of That Sinking Feeling: The Misfortunate Few.

Written by Norfolk playwright Brant Powell and first performed in April 2019, That Sinking Feeling: The Misfortunate Few is a comedic take on the tragedy of the Titanic. In three parts, it tells the stories of the eclectic characters found in each lifeboat while remembering the courageous musicians who played as the ship went down.

With boyish banter, Maggie Kapczynski as John "Jock" Hume and Gabriel Saines as Percy Taylor immediately set the show's tone. A green screen and skillful editing from Theo Mastio, Jannah Fawzy, Nicholas Kaplan, Rachael McNutt, and Natalie Saint-Rossy allowed the two actors to appear in the same place despite COVID-19 distancing restrictions. Kapczynski and Saines even maintained lines of sight, so that they appeared to be making eye contact. They had excellent chemistry and played off each other to enhance the scene's comedy. However, that lighthearted mood disappeared when Kyleigh Loy's Wallace "Wally" Hartley joined them to share that the ship was going to sink. All three violinists realized their duty with grim acceptance, shifting from comedic to dramatic in a short, emotional period.

The violinists were not forgotten after they began to play. Throughout the entire show, violin music underscored emotional beats without detracting from the actors' performances. The soft music especially assisted when Carmelita Vargas, played by Hannah Scarlatoiu, gave birth aboard the lifeboat. Boat flats constructed by Zoe Anderson, Amann Iqbal, Frank Ezui, Aiden Presley, and Jacob Metzger gave dimension to scenes filmed in front of a green screen. These set pieces were simple but effective, creating a realistic environment.

Adam Tamrjan and Juliann Jacobs as Sir Cosmo Duff-Gordon and Lady Lucy Duff-Gordon brought a charismatic sense of life to their scenes, forming a single cohesive unit even as the actors were not physically near each other. In one humorous moment, Sir Duff-Gordon stomped on Lady Duff-Gordon's foot, urging her to go along with his plan. Tamrjan and Jacobs, filming their lines separately, still convincingly reacted to each other there and throughout the show. They brought a new dimension to their characters by relating to each other, showing that there was more to these two pompous aristocrats than what first met the eye.

In addition to the editing team's work in putting together each individual line, cinematographers Theo Mastio, Jannah Fawzy, and Nicholas Kaplan utilized a variety of camera angles to continue movement within the scenes. Different shot choices reinforced comic timing and dramatic moments alike, especially the close-ups used as Naomi Dimberu's Madame Zora Van Zant predicted a bright future for Carmelita Vargas's newborn baby. In that last scene, the focus on Dimberu's face allowed her pure emotions to shine through.

In That Sinking Feeling: The Misfortunate Few, the tragic tale of the Titanic was buoyed by Broad Run High School's technical success to ultimately create a humorous, yet heartwarming story.

Zander Kuebler
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

"Gentlemen, play on," decrees the head violinist of the Titanic as the ship descends into the dark depths of the ocean. The violins continue to play despite the dire circumstances surrounding them. And just as the violins brought joy in the form of art to the sinking Titanic in 1912, Broad Run High School's "That Sinking Feeling: The Misfortunate Few" gave us art to enjoy amidst our own global tragedy 107 years later.

A comedic take on what occurred in the lifeboats of the sinking Titanic in 1912, "That Sinking Feeling: The Misfortunate Few" was written by Northern Virginia playwright Brant Powell and was first performed in April of 2019. Broad Run High School boasts the third-ever production of the three-part comedy, this time filmed and edited for a virtual setting. The story of Lifeboat #1 follows a combination of quirky inhabitants of the sinking ship as they clamor to make it onto the lifeboat before it's too late.

The first lifeboat inhabitant, George Symons (Natalie Saint-Rossy) is one of the Titanic's lookouts. Saint-Rossy's childish and fearful portrayal of the young lookout is both believable and consistent, using subtle facial expressions to create entertaining moments including when Symons realizes the ship is actually sinking and when he "soils himself." Saint-Rossy's timid depiction is complemented brilliantly by brazen second lifeboat inhabitant and self-proclaimed "misfortune teller" Madame Zora Van Zant (Naomi Dimberu). With her deadpan delivery of terrible misfortunes and cheery attitude despite the tragedy unfolding around her, Dimberu delivers laughs with each line, a fortune better than her character could ever foretell.

George Symons and Madame Zora Van Zant aren't the only passengers on the lifeboat. They are joined by aristocrats Sir Cosmo Duff-Gordon (Adam Tamrjan) and Lady Lucy Duff-Gordon (Juliann Jacobs). Tamrjan and Jacobs deftly capture the vibe of their coupled characters, bringing an air of entitlement even when they are not speaking. They brew plenty of laughs with their petty disagreements and slapstick solutions as they play off the morbid predictions of Van Zant.

Despite the immense challenges presented by the virtual nature of the production, the technicians excelled in creating a film-esque version of the comedy. Actors were filmed in front of a green screen and the scenes were subsequently overlapped to create the illusion that the characters were all on the same lifeboat. Each line was individually spliced in and created seamless transitions and realistic conversations despite all actors being filmed individually to abide by Loudon County Public School's regulations. While the cleanliness and accuracy of the editing are impressive enough, Broad Run took it one step further and utilized the green screens to provide flashbacks and backgrounds, further enhancing the film nature of the production. The Broad Run Costume Department (Winky Nguyen, Natalie Saint-Rossy, Kermena Sameul, Christina Russell) also shined as they not only met the time-period needs of the production with clear 1912 attire, but also enhanced character distinction by creating a visible disparity between the dress of the aristocrats and the poorer ship passengers.

Broad Run High School turns a tragedy into a bright spot with their virtual rendition of "That Sinking Feeling: The Misfortunate Few," creating a comedic production that is simply a "titanic" success.

Cora Barr
Quince Orchard High School
Submitted for publication to Loudoun Now

"Humor is tragedy plus time," said Brant Powell, quoting Mark Twain, when asked why he wrote a comedic play surrounding the events of the Titanic. Broad Run High School proved that it is indeed possible to view the Titanic in a more broad context with their commendable production of That Sinking Feeling: The Misfortunate Few during this difficult time.

The film traveled back to the year 1912, just as the Titanic struck an iceberg with thousands of passengers aboard. A group of passengers and staff with clashing personalities hilariously attempted to escape a tragic and unfortunate death as they scrambled to follow the "women and children first" protocol before escaping on a lifeboat. The film followed one of three stories on separate lifeboats that are each introduced by three real musicians who were aboard the Titanic. Broad Run High School will reveal the fates of the other boats on March 3rd at One Loudoun Alamo Drafthouse, for a drive-in movie viewing of the last two Acts.

That Sinking Feeling: The Misfortunate Few was captivating from the very beginning. The actors' names appeared above them as they walked across the screen, allowing the audience a glimpse of each character. The introduction was a perfect way to bring the audience into the story, while acting as a virtual "curtain call." Clear masks were worn by the actors while filming, which was a brilliant choice by the production team. It allowed the audience to capture the actors' marvelous facial expressions throughout the film.

The film was shot with the actors in separate locations, then edited together by the team for the final product. It was truly impressive how the editing crew spaced out the actors and timed the delivery of dialogue flawlessly, creating the illusion that all the actors were in the same setting. It was clear that the film was carefully edited and time and effort was put into choosing a variety of camera angles that would give the film more depth. The costumes and props were detailed and were ideal representations of the time period.

Frederick and Samuel Collins (Katelyn Smith) were passengers on the ship and twin brothers who couldn't have been more polar opposites. Frederick was an intense, short-tempered man who did anything he could to get himself onto the lifeboat, while Sam was a calm, kind-hearted soul with a concern for his fellow passengers' well-being. Smith gave a stunning performance as these two completely different characters and was spectacularly and effortlessly able to switch between them. In addition, Smith admirably filmed her own scenes without the technical elements or assistance from the crew, and this was almost indistinguishable.

Madame Zora Van Zant (Naomi Dimberu), otherwise known as the Mis-fortune Teller, was a kooky passenger who claimed that she had the incredible ability to predict disasters. She sat back and relaxed with a bag of popcorn as the events of the catastrophe that she knew would occur unraveled. Dimberu's crazed facial expressions were a delight as she relayed her silly stories that foreshadowed future events in the films.

That Sinking Feeling: The Misfortunate Few was a creative, elaborate production that proved that theatre during the pandemic is still alive and well. If you are looking for a laugh or a little bit of chaotic entertainment, be sure to view Broad Run High School's production of That Sinking Feeling: The Misfortunate Few. Additionally, come see the second two stories at the One Loudoun Alamo Drafthouse Drive In Theatre on March 3rd, and make sure to ask Madame Zora for your complementary "I Survived The Titanic" t-shirt afterwards.

Ishika Naik
Clarksburg High School
Submitted for publication to Loudoun Times-Mirror

Ever wondered if there were any eccentric personalities aboard the Titanic that were never recorded in accounts of the tale? Loss has always been the center of the story, so it was Broad Run High School's challenge to twist this painful account into a comedic one and shift the focus to some interesting characters as they realize the ship is going down. It's always tough to joke about serious topics publicly, but the cast and crew of That Sinking Feeling: The Misfortunate Few handled it beautifully. The catch- they pulled this period piece off by either being ten feet away from others at all times, or by shooting from the safety of their homes with only immediate resources at hand.

The entire show ran from start to finish smoothly with little to no hiccups, despite it being a home-made video with lots of room for potential error. The audience watched violinists play a recurring tune, a fortune teller eat popcorn as she watched her predictions come true, a snooty couple and two coal stoker brothers go at it, a pregnant lady give birth, and a meek ship lookout try to be the mediator- all while the Titanic sunk.

Notable performances include Naomi Dimberu as Madame Zora Van Zant, a strangely enthusiastic clairvoyant with wide eyes. Adapting well to film instead of stage, the inflection in her voice and impressions on her face expressed just the right amount of craze needed for this different medium of media. Additionally, George Symons, played by Natalie Saint-Rossy, showcased a wonderful character arc as the show progressed. Her character went from mild and peaceful to exasperated and talkative, the slight changes in temperament perfectly spaced out between events. Lastly, with impeccable comedic timing, Carmelita Vargas, embodied by Hannah Scarlatoiu, is worth mentioning for the dash of ad-lib spice she sprinkled in.

The choice to embrace the virtual setting required for shows at this time rather than fight it was wildly impressive. With that new opportunity, editors Theo Mastio, Jannah Fawzy, Nicholas Kaplan, Rachael McNutt, and Natalie Saint-Rossy were able to not only edit actors together through use of green screens, but also add in fun effects and backgrounds. Usually this would be choppy, even jarring, but the painstaking efforts taken by each editor to smooth all the edges out actually helped those effects build up the show. A character introduction at the beginning helped the audience know what to expect moving forward and added to the silly nature of the show. It was a brilliant creative choice and a very helpful identifier. The moving ocean background added depth to certain scenes and prevented the play from looking stale or stationary. Subtitles were also included for the character of Carmelita Vargas, who only spoke in Spanish, which only made it feel more like a film and increased accessibility. Lighting was also notably consistent, with none of the actors looking brighter, dimmer, or a different color than another. The audio was slightly echoey at times, making it a little hard to hear the actors, but the clear masks helped viewers to read lips if needed.

The license to be even more creative than usual came with the challenge of going virtual, and Broad Run High School took it and ran with it. Not only did they record and edit their kooky play, but they also turned it into an almost professional movie through months of perseverance and dedication. Hopefully, an update on Carmelita's baby will be shared soon; viewers are definitely wondering if she grew up to be what Madame Van Zant said she would be!

Jenalyn Dizon
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Submitted for publication to Blue Ridge Leader

In a lighthearted and comedic spin on the story of the Titanic, Broad Run High School's performance of That Sinking Feeling: The Misfortunate Few introduced us to a collection of quirky characters all vying for a ticket to safety on the first lifeboat.

That Sinking Feeling: The Misfortunate Few was written by Brant Powell and debuted at Tidewater Community College Theatre in 2019. The play is divided into three parts, each representing one lifeboat aboard the sinking Titanic. On the first boat, the story follows George Symons, a ship lookout, as Madame Zora Van Zant, a clairvoyant "misfortune teller," informs him of the Titanic's fate. Five other zany personalities meet, and chaos ensues before the lifeboat eventually lowers.

The Broad Run cast and crew took advantage of the virtual setting by creating an interesting bridge between theater and film. Use of virtual resources atypical to live theater, such as the green screen for montages, cutscenes, and special effects, created an immersive world through the screen. Actors were filmed in person, so the cast opted for clear face masks that showcased facial expressions and allowed the audience to maintain a personal connection with the actors and their characters.

Opening the show, the group of three violinists – Kyleigh Loy as Wallace "Wally" Hartley, Maggie Kapczynski as John "Jock" Hume, and Gabriel Saines as Percy Taylor – had captivating chemistry and created a nice entry into the world of the play. The violinists are named after real musicians aboard the Titanic who played throughout the commotion to bring peace to the passengers. Notably, Loy's distraught and serious gaze into the camera captured the raw emotion of these musicians committing to their art in the midst of danger.

Adam Tamrjan as Sir Cosmo Duff-Gordon and Juliann Jacobs as Lady Lucy Duff-Gordon played wonderfully together as an aristocratic couple. Tamrjan and Jacobs had several moments of impressive timing and reactions, such as Jacobs' response to Tamrjan stepping on her foot, despite being in individually filmed scenes.

From Naomi Dimberu's consistent awe-struck expressions and characterizations as Madame Zora Van Zant, to Natalie Saint-Rossy's believable distress about the boat's collision as George Symons, all the cast were able to maintain engaging banter with impressive diction. Katelyn Smith portrayed a seamless distinction between two characters, Frederick and Samuel, by delivering Fredrick's lines quicker, higher pitched, and with more intensity to create a markedly more quarrelsome character than his twin brother.

Various subtle tech elements helped create a realistic environment to anchor the audience in the world of the show. The editing team (Theo Mastio, Jannah Fawzy, Nicholas Kaplan, Rachael McNutt, and Natalie Saint-Rossy) utilized an active moonlit ocean background to keep the environment interesting and keep the audience engaged in the scene. The work of the cinematography team (Theo Mastio, Jannah Fawzy, and Nicholas Kaplan) also nicely complimented the actors, allowing for more focus on facial expressions or physicality by altering the angle of the shot. The cinematography made it clear where characters were in the environment, despite having minimal set, and maintained continuity and understanding of the scene.

Overall, Broad Run's That Sinking Feeling: The Misfortunate Few successfully represented emotional moments rooted in reality while also creating a comedic atmosphere, embodying the duality of the prevalent theme "Gentleman, we play on."