Head Over Heels
at Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS

Reviewed on March 10, 2023

Kenny Gervais
Cooper City High School
Submitted for publication to www.floridatheateronstage.com

In the magical kingdom of Arcadia, a powerful and treasured beat lives among the people. So, when its presence is threatened by an unlikely oracle, the royal family decides to take a... road trip? The prophecy cannot come true, and time is running short so "Get Up and Go" see Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School's production of "Head Over Heels" before the beat disappears!

Opening on Broadway in 2018, this jukebox musical-comedy features punk rock music by the Go-Go's with contrasting vocabulary from the book by Jeff Whitty. "Head Over Heels'' tackles LGBTQ+ topics and themes throughout the show and features the first ever non-binary character, bringing modernity into the world of theater and proving that love comes in many different forms.

Playing the charming shepherd Musidorus, Logan LaPierre's flawless comedic timing was readily amusing, leaving the audience roaring in their seats. LaPierre's jaw-dropping vocals in "Mad About You" conveyed his desperation for Philoclea's love exquisitely, granting him the power to stand out amongst a herd of sheep. Whether portraying the sheepish Musidorus or the audacious Cleophila, LaPierre's effortless romantic chemistry with Adriana Peña (Philoclea) developed their forbidden yet desirable romance stunningly as the first flag fell.

Pearl Mass' (Pamela) comedic charm was nothing short of spectacular, her ability to switch between a humorous act to an emotional confession of love was astonishing. She remarkably demonstrated the struggles that come with accepting identity without pushing harmful stereotypes. Mass' bittersweet chemistry with Natalee Cohen (Mopsa) was emotionally moving in "Automatic Rainy Day," redefining true love while the second flag descended from above.

Proving "Heaven is a Place on Earth," Alex Jolly and Carly Gaynor (Basilius and Gynecia) aided the plot with their interpretation of monarchs who no longer cherish each other. Jolly's self-righteous stature and tone clashed with Gaynor's irritated, discontented attitude wonderfully. Building the bitter tension, until it broke into an erotic tango through the moonlight and the third flag hit the ground.

Adding emotion and character to any scene, the featured dancer ensemble is to be applauded for their attribution to the storyline. Whether it was a mere sheep or booming lion, Sydney Lotz stood apart from the crowd. Her attentive facial expressions and serene dancing grasped the audience's attention with every effortless glide or leap. Playing the devoted king's viceroy, Jacob Harris (Dametas) never failed to muster an eruption of laughter with his memorable scream, even when the fourth and final flag fell.

"Holy Skidmarks," the technical achievements in this production were simply "Beautiful." Choreography by Nick Bedusa and Ashley Fronstin pulled together copious amounts of the cast onstage in "Cool Jerk" without causing awkward crowding. Lighting choices made by Alex Pfeifer were immensely clever, designs such as the pink flashing lights in the rhythm of a heartbeat displayed the beat of Musidorus' heartbeat divinely.

Celebrating the many different forms of love, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School's production of "Head Over Heels" proved that they have got the beat!

Sean Jenkins
Coral Springs High School
Submitted for publication to www.floridatheateronstage.com

We got the beat! The beat of 80's pop infused into Elizabethan English, some surprising self-discoveries, & gay awakenings? Oh, how love triangles flourish! How Marjory Stoneman Douglas' "Head Over Heels" brings this heart-stirring story to life, from the astonishing Arcadian beats to the lively rhythm in their feet!

Head Over Heels -- the bold new musical that debuted in 2018 has gained immense popularity ever since. It is a Jukebox musical helping to tie together this laugh-out-loud love story, with music from iconic rock band: The Go-Go's. This story follows the family of Arcadia as they fight & sing their way to defend their kingdom from an impending doom. The mystic oracle, Phythio, warns the King that if all four flags were to fall, the kingdom shall forever lose its beat. From there, shenanigans ensue as the King's decisions reveal that not everyone is who they say they are.

As a mere shepherd under the King's Rule, Musidorus (Logan LaPierre) stole the hearts of the audience throughout the show's entirety. His flawless singing, comedic timing and excellent characterization won over the crowd ten-fold. Living amongst the royalty, Pamela (Pearl Mass) went crazy when it came to winning over the crowd with her singing voice, commitment to the role & chemistry with everyone who graced her presence. This includes her handmaiden Mopsa (Natalee Cohen). Mopsa's vocals were nothing short of exceptional, and the development between her and Pamela led to unforeseen love that bloomed on-stage.

The rulers of said Arcadia, Basilius (Alex Jolly) and Gynecia (Carly Gaynor), had magnificent voices and chemistry. With Jolly as the unmanageable tyrant, and Gaynor as the sassy yet scandalous wife, their performances never hesitated to enhance the story. To top it off, the Powerful Pythio's (Nick Bedusa) stage performances and fabulous energy kept the audience in a constant good mood. Also needing recognition would be the tight-knit ensemble. Their constant hyped energy & sheer dedication to every role played is admirable by many. Oliver Paul and Sydney Lotz shone from the background as they went above & beyond on-stage, really encapsulating their sheer dedication.

The show would not have been what it was without its technical elements. The simple yet intricate attention to detail was most admirable. For example, backgrounds were projected onto walls to show not only scene changes, but specifics such as certain rooms within the tent, time of day, and different tapestries to represent different rooms of the royals. Beautiful landscapes seen within songs such as "Vacation" and "Heaven is a Place on Earth" were remarkable to witness. From all these feats, however, there were times when microphones were an issue -- whether it was timing, balancing with the instruments or volume levels.

So, I "Turn to You" and ask that you head on over to see Marjory Stoneman Douglas' production of "Head Over Heels." Whether it was hard work or an ominous oracle who predicted so, watching this show shall not disappoint!

Giovanna Dellaria
Cooper City High School
Submitted for publication to www.floridatheateronstage.com

Do you have "The Beat"? Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School sure does! Their fun and energetic production of "Head Over Heels" is bursting at the seams with joy and celebrates love, life, togetherness, and heartfelt personal growth.

"Head Over Heels" is a comedic jukebox musical featuring the familiar and catchy songs of The Go-Go's. Adapted from Sir Philip Sidney's "The Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia" and featuring a book by Jeff Whitty, this show combines a familiar pop sound with an old-fashioned language style. The show follows the kingdom of Arcadia and its royal family on their mission to save the kingdom's famous Beat, the heart and soul of their city. Along the way, romances begin to blossom, and it's a race against time before four prophecies are fulfilled that would result in the people losing their Beat forever.

Logan LaPierre had audiences "Mad About Him" as Musidorus, capturing the shepherd's endearing charm with ease. Combining detailed physicality and comedic timing of pinpoint accuracy, audiences were delighted each time he stepped on stage. LaPierre also crafted a heartwarming chemistry with Adriana Peña, who played Philoclea. Peña's sweet vocal tone and impressive ability to showcase Philoclea's character growth made for a very enjoyable watch. Also standing out was Pearl Mass, who played the elder princess Pamela with dedicated hilarity and clear, powerful belting.

Portraying Basilius, the set-in-his-ways, steadfast ruler of Arcadia, was Alex Jolly. With flawless line deliveries, Jolly was able to show the humorous side of Basilius and later demonstrate the depth and change his character experiences. He and Carly Gaynor, who played his wife Gynecia, worked extremely well together to show the strained relationship between the heads of Arcadia. Their dynamic was as comedic as it was realistic and wonderfully pleasing to watch onstage.

As a whole, the ensemble was well synchronized and kept up an energetic performance. Whether they were executing fast, intricate choreography or delivering beautiful harmonies, each performer enthusiastically gave their all. Some standout performers include Sydney Lotz, who was also one of the company's dance captains, and Oliver Paul. Both showcased spectacular dancing ability, which lent to some truly memorable moments -- including dancing sheep!

The Hair and Makeup crew was headed by Carly Gaynor and Alanis DeSouza. They worked together to create cohesive, yet elaborate makeup looks and practical, beautiful hairstyles. This production also utilized a multitude of Special Effects and Projections, which were designed by Jacob Harris. His smart usage of such projections added another layer to the production, whether it was simply showcasing the setting of the current moment or a small detail to execute a hilarious joke.

Altogether, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School put on a wildly funny, beautifully touching production of "Head Over Heels". Audiences learn it doesn't matter what anyone else says -- love is miraculous, identity is incredibly special, and the soul (or Beat!) of a community is what truly makes it thrive.

Bailey Vergara
American Heritage School
Submitted for publication to www.floridatheateronstage.com

Finding love can be a royal pain, and don't the Arcadian royals know it! Luckily, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School's production of "Head Over Heels" is easy to fall for.

"Head Over Heels" is a jukebox musical with music by The Go-Go's, a book by Jeff Whitty and James Magruder, and a story adapted from a sixteenth-century text, "The Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia." The story follows the royals of that same Arcadia as they receive a series of prophecies that threaten to rob the kingdom of its life force, the Beat. As they try to run from their destiny, they end up encountering it along the way. Philoclea is the youngest princess, and her lover is Musidorus, who infiltrates the kingdom dressed as a woman; the eldest princess, Pamela, falls in love with her handmaid; the king, Basilius, cheats on his wife (with his wife); and the kingdom finds a better king. In the end, they find a way to save the Beat.

Logan LaPierre showed off his comedic and singing chops as humble Musidorus. LaPierre's amusing characterization shone through every time he spoke; every move as Musidorus' alter ego, Cleophila, was purposeful and well-executed, and his captivating vocals made him the center of attention in songs like "Mad About You." Musidorus' love interest, Philoclea, was played by Adriana Peña. Her angelic vocality contributed heavily to the more emotional sides of the show. The two had adorable chemistry, and were a delight to see on stage together.

The king's eldest daughter, Pamela, was brought to life by Pearl Mass. Her vivid performance elevated the farcical elements of the show, and the romantic tension between Pamela and her maid, Mopsa, was illustrated beautifully by Mass and her counterpart, Natalee Cohen, whose distinct voice was befitting of a pop star. The king, Basilius (Alex Jolly), executed impeccable dance moves and kept his energy high and mighty throughout the show. His queen, Gynecia (Carly Gaynor), ruled the stage with commanding vocals and great comedic timing. Nick Bedusa showed the royals who's boss with his electric presence as the oracle, Pythio, and Jacob Harris made the audience erupt in laughter with his portrayal of the high-strung Dametas.

The other citizens of Arcadia made the city come alive with their upbeat presence and tight harmonies. Featured dancers, most notably Zara Dautruche, consistently danced with precision and energy, whether it be as sheep, mermaids, or Pythio's snakelets. While some other dancers faltered a bit in their steps, the entire cast gave a dedicated performance worthy of a crown.

Most of the show's technical elements were student-done; Adriana Peña provided expert vocal direction for the show, and the stage management team (Hannah Hackney, Christina Garofalo, Gabrielle Hoffman) pulled off every cue with great accuracy. The lighting was somewhat unfocused, but the projections used as the set, designed by Jacob Harris, were utilized creatively and added a new layer to the show.

"Heaven Is A Place On Earth..." and it's in Marjory Stoneman Douglas' production of "Head Over Heels!"

Ava Chen
J.P. Taravella High School
Submitted for publication to www.floridatheateronstage.com

"Skidmarks On My Heart" were left after seeing Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School's production of "Head Over Heels"! With a blast to the past to the 16th century, the kingdom of Arcadia arises with tragic lovers, bossy princesses, and gender-fluid shepherds beyond the castle walls!

With the music and lyrics derived from the catalog of The Go-Go's, a book created by Jeff Whitty, and adaptations done by James Magruder, "Head Over Heels" was birthed! The show's plot is adapted from "The Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia" written by Sir Philip Sidney, setting the show in the 16th century. Within the kingdom is Musidorus, a kind shepherd, who seeks to wed the younger princess of Arcadia, Philoclea, who he is denied the hand of due to the Arcadian royal family being given four prophecies that if completed, would lose the famous Beat that runs throughout the whole of Arcadia! With daring sword fights, a royally dysfunctional family, and a shepherd in disguise, what could go wrong?

With a line full of suitors and a swish of her dress is the stunning bachelorette Pamela portrayed by Pearl Mass. Mass exuded confidence onto the stage with her hilarious vain mannerisms paired with her captivating vocal runs featured in "Beautiful"! Chasing after Pamela's younger sister is the big hearted Musidorus (Logan LaPierre) who accentuated the show with his acting range given the challenge of playing a man and a woman!

With the difficult task to preserve the beat, waltzes in Alex Jolly as Basilius who depicted this power hungry king through his proper physicality and commanding presence no one in all of Arcadia could deny! Dametas portrayed by Jacob Harris tags alongside Jolly as he fumbled on stage with his developed impeccable comedic timing seen in his trembling vocal inflection and tone. Jolly and Harris made a great pair, showing their comradery despite their differences, keeping their lips sealed about the oracle.

The ensemble brought the show together with their brilliant harmonies and sensational dance skills. Despite a lack of cohesiveness in their dancing, they strongly advanced each song with balanced and even harmonies, displaying their vocal capabilities with an arcadian beat! They contributed to making multiple songs memorable especially in "Here You Are", displaying a deep, raw emotional commitment to the show.

Given the amount of times the arcadians travel to and from Arcadia and a plethora of other locations, the technical elements in the special effects category helped push forward the story, visually displaying the locations through Projection Design done by Jacob Harris. Harris' concept was clearly represented throughout the projections with inspiration from the 1980's MTV graphics, to pay tribute to the time period of the Go-Go's music!

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School's production of "Head Over Heels" taught us to have a "Vision of Nowness" as we look to a new future of living your truth and following your bliss.