Check Please!
at Interboro High School

Reviewed on November 12, 2021

Nel Blinman
Harriton High School
Submitted for publication to WordPress Site and Cappies Page

A mime, a psychic, and a pirate – no, it's not a circus. It's speed-dating, live on stage! Interboro High School's performance of "Check Please" and "Check Please: Take 2" was a hilarious festival of comedy and shock.

"Check Please" and "Check Please: Take 2" are two one-act plays consisting of a series of vignettes, featuring Guy and Girl, two hopeless young romantics searching for love. While they do not exactly find their soulmates, they do meet a cast of quirky characters, including an old woman, a fraudulent linguist, and an undercover method-actor.

Interboro High School took these two light-hearted comedies in full-stride, and put forward a side-splitting show. Even with very simple scenery, they managed to create dynamic environments and fill the space with life and character. The audience was rolling with laughter by the end thanks to Interboro's wealth of talent.

Though a majority of the cast appeared as a variety of different characters, two stayed the same: Travis Oliva as Guy and Kaylee Rogers as Girl. Oliva was charming, sweet, and charismatic as the unsuspecting Guy – even as he cycled through some of the strangest dates imaginable, he managed to maintain strong chemistry with every single one. Rogers was equally powerful as Girl, with great comedic timing and a somewhat sarcastic innocence. Together, they managed to be lively and dynamic even though neither ever left the stage.

Colin McGovern was a notable player. He portrayed many quirky characters, like Paul, the man with two wives (searching for a third). Every single time he sat across from Girl, he completely transformed into his brand new role and filled the room with laughter. Another highlight was Aidan Dougherty, who played the Extreme Dewey and the phobic Manny, among others. His ability to perform such a diverse set of comedic roles to such a high level was incredibly impressive. Speaking of commitment, Imani Daniels as Cleo managed to perform as a foot-reading psychic – sniffing and licking included – with a completely straight face, as the audience dissolved into guffaws.

The set was beautifully designed, complete with Interboro Buccaneers wall-art, simple but practical, and easily transformed to multiple different settings. The lighting was perfect for a romantic dinner setting, and the costumes team did an amazing job creating many distinct costumes for each character. Even with a fully masked cast, the sound was flawless. Stage manager Sarah Schreiber deserves recognition for her flawless management of a show full of complex costume and prop exchanges.

Interboro High School's production of "Check Please" and "Check Please: Take 2" was a hilarious compilation of talent and passion.

Aiden Kaliner
Harriton High School
Submitted for publication to WordPress Site and Cappies Page

"Check Please" at Interboro High School marked a triumphant, comedic return, filled with awkward first dates, of live theater!

A short comedy infused with zany and quirky characters, "Check Please" revolves around two characters and their terribly unsuccessful attempts at blind dates. Following a series of failures, they coincidentally bump into each other, but just as soon as they get together, the two split. In Check Please: Take 2, the two singles try blind dating once again, but to no avail. As if history is repeating itself, "Check Please: Take 2" ends the exact same way as the first: the couple bumping into each other once again.

Overall, Interboro's cast and crew superbly captured the comedic moments of this eccentric play to a tee. The audience was in stitches throughout the show while the actors and crew, specifically lights and sound, used comedic timing effectively. The actors also successfully portrayed multiple characters who were distinct, interesting, and comical all at the same time.

Leading the cast, Travis Oliva (Guy) and Kaylee Rogers (Girl) enraptured the audience with each date they encountered. Though each was on stage the majority of the show, both Oliva and Rogers endured the feat with admirable commitment. Their awkward chemistry undeniably contributed to their amusing performances. Notably, Oliva's grasp on comedy was astounding, providing the contrast needed from the wacky characters. Rogers' reserved portrayal of Girl was sweet, endearing, and even assertive when called for.

Standouts amongst the supporting and featured cast were Colin McGovern, Aidan Dougherty, and Imani Daniel. McGovern's portrayals of Brandon, the method actor, and Lyle, the man who speaks many languages, were especially humorous. Just as Dougherty smoothly opened the door to enter as Dewey, the audience burst into laughter; his physicality and vocal intonations when shouting "extreme" were highlights of the night. Lastly, Daniel brought the house to roaring applause with her impressive commitment to her character--and Oliva's foot.

Technically, the Interboro Theater Tech Crew masterfully used lighting and sounds to add comedic elements to the production. The timing of cutting music abruptly and utilizing swift blackouts was nearly perfect. Additionally, the Interboro Theater Costume Crew, even with many role changes, distinctly pulled together outfits to add to the characters' personalities.

Interboro High School's production of "Check Please" certainly left the audience wishing to order more!

Gabriela Puntel
Abington Friends School
Submitted for publication to Cappies Page

What's that thing people say at the end of a dreadful date again? Oh, of course, it's "Check Please," an unpredictable, spellbinding, and utterly hilarious production filled with all the weirdest parts of speed dating, solidly performed by Interboro High School's theatre students.

"Check Please" by Jonathan Rand, is a play about a guy and a girl going on a series of strange dates while sitting a few tables apart at a restaurant. While this production is most popularly known for being a one-act play, Interboro High School decided to add a twist on this comedy by adding a "Check Please: Take 2," and it was a success.

This production was anchored in its element of surprise, hilarity, and dedicated actors. It was very apparent that the cast took into account the timing of their lines, adding substance and unpredictability. The dynamic of this cast truly manifested itself on stage, creating intriguing characters that kept the audience captivated through and through.

Girl (Kaylee Rogers) is a confident woman, who knows her worth, looking for someone "normal" to date, but she encounters everything but that. In this performance, Rogers showcased the ability to express a variety of emotions and truly brought this character to life. Guy (Travis Oliva) is a shy guy looking for love, but is met with the reality of speed dating. Oliva, only a freshman at Interboro High School, exhibited great skill and emotion in this performance, which left everyone wanting more.

This play incorporated many different characters with intriguing snippets of their personalities, lives, and odd dating tactics. Throughout the show, there were some unexpected moments, even for the cast, but these actors skillfully adapted, and continued on with their performance. Memorable characters included Sophie, a significantly older woman in a nightgown, played by Shelby Funderburg, who aroused laughter simply by walking across the stage, and Cleo, a passionate psychic, played by Imani Daniel, who displayed commitment to the role and the ability to control a crowd.

The set of "Check Please," including a restaurant setting with a simple yet effective background and intricate details such as an abundance of table props, captured the essence of the story and entertained the audience. True kudos are owed to the Interboro Theater Costume Crew, for drawing everyone's eyes in with a range of well-thought-out costumes, each one unexpected and eye-catching. Even with masks on during the entire performance, besides the hilarious flossing scene, Interboro Theater Tech Crew did an amazing job of ensuring great sound.

The unforgettable production of "Check Please" performed by Interboro High School will be remembered as a fascinating and hysterical experience, filled with skill, humor, and dedication all around.

Kaitlyn Kaulback
Archmere Academy
Submitted for publication to Cappies Page

What is scarier: Encounters with extreme risk takers, thieves, and a lady with a monkey personality OR a blind date? Well, two people on the search for love in Interboro High School's "Check Please" did not have to choose!

"Check Please," written by Jonathan Rand, centers around numerous blind dates that end quite disastrously in an amusing way. These two young adults set out to find the perfect match before the check arrives at their table.

Kaylee Rogers as Girl and Travis Oliva as Guy contrasted the insane shenanigans from the supporting cast, playing up the comedy throughout the show. Rogers and Oliva were able to stay in character throughout the entire production and drew out the awkward nature of the scenes, further adding to the comedy.

Although each blind date had less than two minutes of stage time, the supporting cast made a lasting impression on the audience with phenomenal comedic timing. While some characters were difficult to hear at times, the cast did an excellent job at not forcing the comedy and allowing the dialogue to naturally ensue laughter.

Aidan Dougherty's portrayal of Dewey, Ken, and Manny with distinct, extremely humorous personalities showcased a remarkable wide range of acting. Similarly, Linda, played by Maria Quintiliana, also demonstrated multiple personalities simultaneously. Quintiliana's ability to distinguish between each side, both human and animal, left the audience rolling with laughter. Additionally, Shelby Funderburg as Sophie, an old woman, truly played to the comedy as she had no lines, yet her prolonged walk to the table spoke for itself.

Along with the hilarious acting, the detailed costume design and props added to the comedic atmosphere with a realistic touch. Every character was coupled with a costume tailored to their personality, an impressive feat that further brought these characters to life. While the prop changes were long and somewhat distracting, the numerous, detailed props made the scene more realistic. Even though the set in the background never changed, the props supplemented a lively ambience that felt like the scenery changed for every new date.

Interboro High School's production of "Check Please" captures the difficulty of finding love in the dating world when you never know who will be sitting across the table.