Months on End
at Fairfax High School

Reviewed on May 8, 2021

Molly Manhoff
Oakton High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

Seriously, how much do we really know about love?

Using vignettes as snapshots of a much larger picture, Fairfax High School's Months on End was painted in bright lines and crisp characters, diving into the trials and tribulations of falling in (and out) of love. With one scene a month, both cast and crew carved out moments in time of new beginnings, heartbreak, and calamitous mistakes.

A glass of bubbling champagne balanced precariously between her fingertips, the bottle clutched in her other hand, Elaine (Kate Parr) spilled her woes of fleeting relationships to an unrelentingly optimistic Walter (Trevor Sloan) during a New Year's Eve party. The two were a study in opposites, the cynical against the hopeful, one enviously watching her friends as the other's marriage slowly withered away. Parr, head tipped back against the wall, delved into bone-deep exhaustion from a series of failed flings. With her unsteady steps and biting words, she cut a stark contrast with Sloan's gentle presence. Their chemistry alone was remarkable, shared in soft smiles and the occasional party horn, kicking off the show with a golden drop of bittersweet hope.

Then, ripe with tension and simmering with anger, Paige (Anne Marie Seybold) and Nick (Mikhail Goldenberg) furiously sifted through sand to find a lost engagement ring. The scene rose with a crescendo, boiling over into an explosive argument about loving someone, but not being in love with someone. Seybold was sympathetic and gentle, easily shifting into exasperation as the scene pushed forward. Goldenberg's physicality and booming voice, tainted with the pervasive feeling of inadequacy, kept the energy high and the argument spiraling forward until its ultimate collapse.

As a wedding loomed overhead, Phoebe (Victoria Collins-Jost) waited, both excited to tie the knot whilst doubts crept in. Collins-Jost was sweet and tender, unafraid to bite back when Phoebe's mother, Gwen (Elana Kaplan) went a step too far. Kaplan herself was a gem, encapsulating the overbearing, off-handedly critical mother with her scathing voice and severe bun. Her brief moment with Chris (Hank Hawkins) drew another set of contradictions, her fierce control up against his whimsical manner. Hawkins, all crooked smiles and a melodic voice, stepped up as Phoebe's wise father, placating her fears with mildly morbid advice.

And finally, a pair of friends gone from comforting to confrontational, Walter (Trevor Sloan) and Ben (William Choi) capped off the show with the aftermath of an argument between newlyweds. Their chemistry as friends was palpable from the beginning, with an ease to their delivery and body language. Sloan flawlessly handled a balance of dry sarcasm with a struggle to understand. When Ben's grievances grew beyond absurdity, Sloan erupted in a passionate tirade that struck a chord with the heartstrings. His performance was remarkably mature, from the hands shoved in pockets to the pinched bridge of his nose. Choi, sitting among a mess of crumpled paper and mussed belongings, took his character and ran with it. Every line was underlined with passion, despite the ridiculousness of the situation.

Finally, the presentation was spectacular. Recorded entirely on ZOOM, the in-person scenes were seamlessly integrated with the online actors. Kate Parr, the director, did a spectacular job at keeping the actors lively within the confines of their boxes. The costumes, headed by Emily Bird and Ashley Bui, suited the characters completely--whether it was Gwen's tailored pencil skirt or Ben's graphic tee. Each and every detail was fine-tuned and honed to perfection.

Fairfax High School has created something truly remarkable. Passionate, colorful, and deeply entrenched in the realities of love, Months on End was a phenomenal show.

Ella Fosse
Lake Braddock Secondary School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

Ever since the dawn of humanity, the human experience has always been uniquely characterized by feelings of companionship, trust, and hope; or, to put it more simply, love. However, what the romantic poets don't emphasize is how love doesn't always work out, an unfortunate fact of human character. This concept was explored beautifully in Fairfax High School's stellar production of Craig Pospisil's "Months on End", a play that observes the intricate complexity of human relationships.

This play, created by Craig Pospisil in 2003, was originally composed of 12 scenes, one for each month of the year (hence the name). However, for this special production, Fairfax's students cut it down to four scenes while still preserving the general flow of the story, an impressive feat in itself. It was directed by student Kate Parr, who did a truly commendable job of juggling both acting and directing, and stage managed by Charlotte Bronaugh.

Overall, the acting prowess of the entire cast as a whole was incredible. Every scene had palpable chemistry, even behind a screen, and every conversation felt natural, as if it were unfolding in real time with no lines needed. The cast took on the challenge of producing a hybrid production- both in-person and on Zoom- with ease, as if they had been doing it their entire lives. Even when they were in-person and were wearing masks, they were heard with such clarity, which was a refreshing relief that provided much hope for live theatre going forward. Each actor was so in tune with their characters' emotions, making their performances believable and even heartwrenching in some instances.

As previously mentioned, this was a truly stellar cast, but even a cast of all stars has its comets. One such standout actress was Kate Parr, the dual actress-director who embodied the role of Elaine with an incredibly natural performance. Her ability to tune in to the emotional highs and lows of her character, all while getting steadily inebriated, was a feat to behold. Her physicality stayed constant and precise throughout her entire performance. Another standout was her scene partner, Trevor Sloan, who played the role of Walter with a performance done as easy as breathing. He was able to convey such a sophisticated maturity in Walter's shoes, a gargantuan task done as easily as taking a step. It's hard to imagine Sloan as a different person from this witty character: he was able to portray him that well.

Since this production was both on stage and online, there were many avenues for technical work to shine. Ashley Bui and Emily Bird, costume designers, did an excellent job both with the in-person actors and the ones on Zoom. Even when the set was not present online, their costumes set the scene when the stage couldn't, whether it was formal wear for a New Year's Eve party or the disgruntled flannel of a soon-to-be divorcé. Their subtle yet effective design work was the bridge between virtual and in-person, which was truly appreciated. Immy Moore's lighting design for onstage work was very precise and effective, even utilizing handheld props to draw focus.

Fairfax High School's stellar production of Craig Pospisil's "Months on End" was an emotional observation of the beauty of human relationships.

Ivy Ridenhour
Freedom High School
Submitted for publication to FCPS Community News

The phrase "months on end" sounds tedious and never ending. So, it was a pleasant surprise when Fairfax High School's Months on End ended up being the complete opposite: a series of comedic vignettes that ended too soon.

Months on End is a full-length play written by Craig Pospisil. It shows various characters coming together to connect or clash. It has twelve scenes, one for each month of the year. Fairfax High School's production was a selection of four of those scenes. It was done in a mix of virtual and in-person with some scenes filmed on a stage and some done in a virtual call.

Just like the year, the play started with January. More specifically, it started with a party with plenty of spirits, even if the spirit itself was a bit lacking. This energy was especially embodied by Kate Parr as Elaine. A dry tone in her voice, a bottle of wine in her hand, and a "done with it all" attitude made her a very clear character.

Playing opposite her was Trevor Sloan as soon-to-be divorcee Walter. Sloan's consistent physicality made him seem like a real person with genuine reactions. When each character noted that their significant other was currently kissing someone else, it was sobering for the audience and the characters. Suddenly, Parr and Sloan's charming dynamic was masterfully shifted into one of cautious care and just enough malice to plan the perfect revenge.

The next scene was March, which showed the messy end of a relationship. Mikhail Goldenberg played Nick, and Paige was played by Anne Marie Seybold. As actors they were perfectly in harmony, their argument flowing naturally. As characters they clashed, both stubborn in different ways and shifting throughout the scene, but never in a way that let them see eye to eye. It was so honestly portrayed that, as their flawed relationship fell apart, it felt like an inevitable conclusion.

The third scene in the show was June, and took place the morning of a wedding. The bride, Phoebe, was played by Victoria Collins-Jost. Her honest performance of the nervous bride guaranteed that she wasn't the only one engaged. Elana Kaplan played Gwen, the typical mother of the bride: insensitive, and controlling. Hank Hawkins played Chris, father of the bride, and a complete contrast from Gwen. His jokes and analogies were light, but his advice was given with heartfelt care.

The final scene, October, centered around Ben, a Beatles-obsessed fool, played by William Choi with dedication and range. One moment he inspired sympathy and the next he only inspired lectures. Luckily for the audience, Sloan returned as Walter to talk some sense into Ben. The audience got to see growth as Walter shifted from commiserating with his scene partner to sharing with him the lessons he'd learned in the past year.

Months on End also had terrific costumes done by Emily Bird and Ashley Bui. Elaine's formal black dress and Walter's suit clearly defined the party setting before a single word was said. Similarly, the more casual outfits of Paige and Nick showed a clear shift from party to vacation. In every scene the costumes helped to enrich the settings and characters.

Another terrific aspect of the show was the well-timed dialogue and pacing that can be attributed not only to the actors, but director Kate Parr as well.

All in all, Fairfax High School's Months on End covers almost a whole year in its story, but it was so fun and well done that it really only felt like a moment.

Wilson Weingast
Lake Braddock Secondary School
Submitted for publication to Patch (Fairfax/Alexandria)

"Guess you can't keep it forever." This utterance by Nick captured the fleeting nature of relationships and the tone of Months on End.

Fairfax High School's production of Months on End was an innovative take on Greg Pospisil's play. Instead of using the complete work, Fairfax handpicked four scenes, which added a new level of complexity and highlighted the difficulties in relationships.

Fairfax also adapted the script to fit the setting of a hybrid production, which was extremely well-done. The pacing was seamless and maintained the energy during the transitions, thanks to the wonderful stage management by Charlotte Barnough. Being in a virtual or in person environment did not throw off the actors, who maintained good physicality and chemistry throughout the show. Kate Parr's excellent direction kept all the actors fully utilizing their given spaces and prevented them from being confined.

The plot of Months on End presented the stages of being in a relationship, including a parent-child dynamic, a good friendship, and a romance. The show tells the story of a fall out between two former fiancees, Phoebe (Victoria Collins-Jost) and Ben (William Choi). The production showed both sides of their split, through Phoebe's interactions with her parents, and Ben's talk with his best friend Walter (Trevor Sloan). Walter himself had experienced his share of pain and heartbreak. In a scene with Elaine (Kate Parr), we learned about Walter's difficulties with marriage, and hers with commitment. In addition to Ben and Phoebe's relationship, we also met another couple, Paige (Anne Marie Seebold) and Nick (Mikhail Goldenberg). After a failed proposal by Nick, we learned about Paige's plans to break up with him, as they explored issues of compromise and different perceptions on their relationship.

Trevor Sloan's performance as Walter was nothing short of brilliant. Whenever Sloan was on screen, he commanded the audience. His broad character choices and his awareness of the true focus of the scene allowed him to draw the audience in.

Sloan's scene mates were great at matching and reciprocating his energy. As Elaine, Kate Parr was able to make the role her own. She created her character as someone trying to make her life better, but finding herself stuck. Parr's passion and her connection to Elaine brought the role to life, as she and Sloan set the tone for the rest of the production. Closing out the production, we are introduced to the character of Ben. As Ben, Choi was entertaining, bringing humor out of a post-breakup situation. Choi's natural comedic ability made the audience empathetic toward an otherwise unlikable character.

The hybrid setting of Months on End allowed for the technical side of Fairfax theatre to shine. The intentional lighting choices by Immy Moore created a dramatic effect, reflecting the tone of the ongoing scenes. Another standout was the effective costuming by Emily Bird and Ashely Bui. While simple, the costumes truly complemented the character who wore them. Whether it was the married Walter in his suit, the outgoing Elaine in her fashionable black dress, or the lousy Ben in a t-shirt, each character's costume sent a clear message and reflected their identity.

Through thick and thin, these characters have been through it all. Fairfax High School was able to give a truly heartfelt performance that left the audience emotionally vested in the characters and engaged in the show.

Nikhita Kumar
Lightridge High School
Submitted for publication to Connection

Months on End, a show performance by Fairfax High School's ensemble, featured nine talented student actors who took the "hybrid" part of learning to their advantage and presented four months which brought up true meanings to love and relationships. Months on End is a full-length production, however, Fairfax High School performed a chosen four scenes to represent relationships, love, and compassion. This show was filmed on stage and also through the Zoom call platform!

Months on End traveled through the year and shows certain months that often bring up feelings of love or quite the opposite. It brought up the relationships among people, mostly the romantic ones, and focuses on what romantic relationships can look like and feel like. Fairfax High School's ensemble presented January, March, June, and October.

The story was accomplished by actors who played characters with emotional range and told the story through those personas assigned to them. The storytelling was fluid and not rushed, which resulted in scenes of steady backgrounds of who the characters were and what their business or intention was in each setting. Each actor, virtual and hybrid, used their space efficiently and kept the movement of the scene going.

In January, Elaine, played by Kate Parr, and Walter, played by Trevor Sloan, had good onscreen chemistry that reflected the sarcastic, awkward, cute, and humorous banter that starts most relationships on a good path. Kate Parr was amazing at acting drunk and didn't overdo it. This sarcastic and almost unhopeful character had a refreshing conversation with a hopeful and awkwardly kind Walter, executed so well by Trevor Sloan. Trevor Sloan also made the scene between Walter and Ben, played by William Choi, very dynamic and showed the relationship between the two friends. William Choi played with range on a character that was meant to be unlikeable and did a wonderful job doing so. The passion Ben felt for his favorite band almost split through the screen with the actor's amazing craftwork.

Costumes and props benefited the show and put perspective on what the scene was going to be and what setting was upcoming. It was almost used as a foreshadowing device to give the characters more personality! Charmingly edited short video clips of locations foretold the setting of where a scene might take place. The editing really helped the transitions between scenes, especially when going from virtual acting to in-person acting on stage. Another item to notice was the choice of staging and how all actors used their space to their advantage, even at home. No one forced any movement and also kept motion when it was truly necessary. It was truly fluid and kept the story going without any awkward pauses!

This detailed show performed by Fairfax High School took the months through the various types of relationships and loves that occur throughout the year. With the ensemble and tech crew providing the story effectively, this show took a viewpoint on what is most important in any relationship.

Lauren Katz
Lake Braddock Secondary School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

Love can be a fragile thing. From messy break-ups and strained marriages to the inability to let things go for the people you care about, love can carry much more weight than meets the eye. These types of precarious relationships can be deeply nuanced and difficult to display authentically, but the students at Fairfax High School took those elaborate affairs to heart and provided a performance that showed the confusing issues the characters had clearly and professionally.

Fairfax High School's theatre company performed four different scenes from the play Months on End, written by Craig Pospisil. The show told the story of ten people as they experienced the trials and tribulations of love in the adult world. In a vignette-style performance that fused virtual and onstage acting, Fairfax High School managed to produce a riveting production filled with stellar acting and plenty of heartfelt moments.

One of the reasons the production was so beautiful was because of the well-thought-out direction. Co-director Kate Parr's brilliant blocking had the actors constantly shifting positions, even in the scenes done over Zoom. This small detail flaunted the actors' natural physicality, making the characters realistic and believable. Each movement and camera angle was concise and thought out, and never was an actor's movement over the top or distracting. The directing also utilized both the virtual and in-person mediums to shoot scenes, even having some scenes seamlessly blend actors on stage with actors performing over Zoom. Parr even played one of the pivotal characters in the show while directing at the same time. Kate Parr's direction was thoughtful and varied, providing rich dimension to the show.

The effort put in was not only evident through the direction, but also through the exemplary acting. One scene that stood out in particular was the final scene of the show, shared by Trevor Sloan and William Choi. The pair played Walter and Ben, two guys discussing how Ben's obsession with material things was destroying his relationship. Choi played his somewhat silly Beatles-obsessed character with ease, taking every ridiculous statement made by his character and delivering each with hilarious frankness. Choi's scene partner, Trevor Sloan, also had a standout performance, in which he expressed his concern, anger, and confusion with carefully chosen physicality and skillful vocal intonation. Both actors played off of the other's energy well, and there was never a dull moment throughout their scene together.

The costume choices, designed by Emily Bird and Ashley Bui, also worked well with the characters in each scene and served to enhance every character. In order to make sure the teenage actors looked like their older characters, the costumes chosen were distinct and mature. All the costumes also proved to be simple, along with the rest of the technical aspects, which made sure that there was no distraction from the emotional scenes taking place.

Overall, Fairfax High School's production of Months on End proved to be a beautiful exploration of human emotion paired with a delightful display of skillful acting and direction. The performance was executed with maturity and skill that are rare to see with such young performers. Every second of the show proved to be impactful and memorable, a splendid work of virtual theatre.