Redlands Yearbook 2013 - 2014 By Rob Hopper www.nationalyoutharts.com Blackhawk Theatre Company Spamalot — October 11-17, 2013 The Merchant of Venice — February 21-March 1, 2014 Seussical — April 17-26, 2014 Spamalot Photos by Jennifer Vincent Blackhawk Theatre Company The Merchant of Venice Photos by Jennifer Vincent THE SHOW: Three thousand ducats, or a pound of flesh. Such are the terms of the loan agreement between the borrower, Antonio, and the lender, Shylock. Much of the story and plot is a light romantic comedy as wealthy heiress Portia gets wooed by suitors and tries to help Bassanio become the winner. But it’s the plot about the loan that sets the stage for perhaps William Shakespeare’s most controversial play with its character of Shylock, a Jewish moneylender who chooses revenge over money. This negative stereotype has been perpetuated for a thousand years in Christian culture. For centuries the European governments forbade Christians to charge interest for the lending of money, so only non-Christians could fill that economic need. But when loans couldn’t be repaid, it was easier to blame the minority Jewish moneylender than the Christian. Such blame was a common theme in tales from the time period. Shakespeare’s use of it is more ambiguous than his contemporaries. Shylock stood apart from most other portrayals both in the depth of his character, and in his condemnation of hypocritical Christians who borrowed with one hand while striking blows with the other. In Merchant, Antonio is the pompous Christian businessman who has spat, kicked, and verbally disparaged Shylock, yet still expects him to lend him more money despite having no collateral. With a biting wit, Shylock questions Antonio as to why he should continue lending money to him under such circumstances. Later he questions Antonio’s inhuman treatment of Jews, as if they were inferior creatures, with the famous lines: “If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?” THE PRODUCTION: Citrus Valley High School’s Blackhawk Theatre Company staged a remarkably creative, entertaining, and effective production of The Merchant of Venice directed by Ron Milts. It’s performed as a commedia dell’arte, with most everyone but Shylock and his daughter wearing the outrageous masks of the genre and performing in its signature over-the-top comedic style filled with ongoing gags that repeat whenever a certain word is mentioned. Shylock, featuring a terrific performance by Raphael Berglas, plays it straight, growing increasingly frustrated with the insanity that surrounds him. When his daughter elopes, leaving his home and his faith, she dons a mask as well and joins in their insanity, and we feel his desire for vengeance soar uncontrollably. The cast of commedia dell’arte comedians nail the style with professional and natural ease, whether reciting Shakespeare, doing a bit of improv with the audience, performing sound effects, and even some acrobatics. McKenzie Graham-Howard is a great Blackhawk Theatre Company The Merchant of Venice (cont.) actress and physical comedian who plays Portia asan Elizabethan valley girl confiding in her friend and lady-in-waiting Narisa (a delightful Jacqueline Cooper who ends up pulling countless odd props from out of her dress’s bosom), toying effortlessly with her suitors, and being not quite thrilled when she finally gets her long-awaited romantic kiss from Bassanio – a reluctant kiss on the cheek. Chris Carranza is a hoot as said Bassanio, unstoppably charismatic and ditzy, a little effeminate, and always grinning except when he’s forced to kiss Portia, as his primary motivation was really her money. Just a few of the other great performances include Andre Alvarez as the merchant of Venice who takes out a loan to help Bassanio woo Portia. Ben Swanson gets things going as a bawdy hunchbacked Lancelot Gobo, very funny and kind of creepy, who plays it up to the audience. Brant Sennett as Gratiano and Nick Ferguson as narcissistic Lorenzo give strong performances. Tristyn Deveau is fantastic as Shylock’s daughter who transforms thanks to her being as obsessed with Lorenzo as he is with himself, her elopement beginning as she tosses a few necessaries for the trip over the house’s wall (a giant sandal, a huge bra, a stuffed bunny, etc.). And Noah Ramosand Kaitlyn Lopez as clowns Salanio and Salarino add so much throughout with their antics, all coming together as they physically reenact a speedy reprise of the first act. The entire talented cast makes this work throughout with great energy, comedy, attention to detail, and off-the-cuff humor. And they all look good doing it thanks to impressive visuals by set designers Ron Milts and Jennifer Vincent, and costumes by Sharron Leeper that help take us back in time to one memorable trip to Venice. Performed February 21 - March 1, 2014 Photos by Jennifer Vincent Rob Hopper National Youth Arts ~ Cast ~ Shylock: Raphael Berglas Portia: McKenzie Graham-Howard Bassanio: Chris Carranza Antonio: Andre Alvarez Lancelot Gobo: Ben Swanson Gratiano: Brant Sennett Narisa: Jacqueline Cooper Morocco: Ben Swanson Duke of Aragon/Prince: Kelly Glaubig Jessica: Tristyn Deveau Old Gobo/Tubol: Jacob Hall Salarino: Kaitlyn Lopez Salanio: Noah Ramos Lorenzo: Nick Ferguson Servant 1: Ella Johnson Servant 2: Denali Linton Director: Ron Milts Asst. Director: Rob Foley Set Designer: Ron Milts, Jennifer Vincent Scenic Artist: Jennifer Vincent Lighting Designer: Ron Milts Costume Designer: Sharron Leeper Blackhawk Theatre Company Seussical the Musical Photos by Jennifer Vincent ~ Cast ~ Jojo: Janelle Good The Cat in the Hat: MaKenzie Graham-Howard Horton: Ben Swanson Gertrude: Katie Roche Mayzie: Imani Jacob Sour Kangaroo: Bianca Garcia Wickersham Brothers: Chris Carranza, Brant Sennett, Nick Ferguson Bird Girls: Stephanie Yglesias, Alexis Ermels, Mikki Sandoval Grinch: Jacob Hall Vlad Vladikoff: Adrian Puentes General Schmitz: Raphael Berglas Yertel the Turtle: Chris Lee Antelope: Kelly Eatinger Zebra: Ben Mendoza Mr. Mayor: Charisma Garcia Mrs. Mayor: Brooklyn Adams Whos: Andrew Cosme Tyler Deveau Charlie Egger Kaitlyn Lopez Denali Linton Ese Uyovbeivbo Brittney Wilson Kate Weeks Fish/Hunches: Makenna Adling Janeel Bucayan Elizabeth Hernandez Esperanza Martinez Amy Mirra Issis Proby Autumn Timm Schmitz's Cadets: Julia Amador Kimberly Galvez Corrine Karaleen Angelique Rosales Molly Sylva Director: Elena Villa Music Director: Kimberly Taylor Choreographer: Dylan Pass/Daniel Smith Set Designer: Jennifer Vincent, Kadyn Fox Sound Designer: Daniel Milligan Lighting Designer: Ron Milts Costume Designer: Jamie Brown Make-up/Hair Designer: Destiny Conner Chaparral High School Fools — March 13-15, 2014 Jesus Christ Superstar — May 22-23, 2014 Fools Leon: James Bowen Sophia: Sidney Aptaker Dr. Zubritsky: Sam Irvin Lenya: Lois Wyman Count Youskevitch: Grant Reynolds Yenchna: Karlie Reynolds Slovitch: Danielle Baumann Mishkin: Madi Burke Magistrate: Rafael Loza Villagers: Inaijsa Betts Alicia Scull Julianna Smith Shaye Kavanaugh Savannah Ghazarian Erica Jones Cassidy Oswalt Will Cheek Jacob Adams Chaparral High School Jesus Christ Superstar ~ Cast ~ Jesus: Samuel Irvin Judas: Madison Francis Mary Magdalene: Avalon Penrose Pilate: Greg McMahon Caiaphas: Grant Reynolds Annas: Madi Burke Herod: James Bowen Simon: Sidney Aptaker Peter: Rafael Loza Apostle/Soul Girl: Danielle Baumann Apostle: Joey Brown Apostle/Soul Girl/Dance Core: Danielle Caha Apostle/Soul Girl/Dance Core: Alexa Feddema Pharisee: Savannah Ghazarian Apostle/Soul Girl/Dance Core: Chelsea Gray Apostle/Dance Core: Alyssa LeDe Dance Core: Audrey Kelly Dance Core: Karlie Reynolds Apostle: Andrew Tran Dance Core: Yekaterina Yerygina Ensemble: Attendant to Pilate: Inaijsa Betts Apostle: Chad Breece Woman at Fire: Bridgett Donnelly Pharisee: Amanda Dienhart Reporter: Jennifer Duvall Reporter: Meg Greene Apostle/Soul Girl/Dance Core: Lexi Gunn Reporter: Acacia Laliotis Pharisee: Shannon McMahon Reporter: Avery Robinson Reporter/Mother Mary: Karleigh Shepard Riot Guard: Jacob Smith Woman at Fire: Hannah Wood Director: Chris Irvin Assistant Directors: Cassidy Oswalt, Alexandra Flores Choreography: Allisan Whitman Costumes: Nancy Irvin Lighting: Jorge Leos, Chaz Taylor Sound: Justin Duchi Orchestration: Bob Marino Vocal Direction: David Reuther Cornerstone Christian School Singin’ in the Rain — March 13-15, 2014 The Wizard of Oz — May 22-23, 2014 Singin’ in the Rain March 13-15, 2014 Dora Bailey: Jessica Trimm Zelda Zanders: Maddie Alexander Don Lockwood: Nick Robert Cosmo Brown: Daryl Rodriguez Lina Lamont: Gabrielle Incremona Kathy Selden: Megan Pastrallo R. F. Simpson: Andrew Portillo Roscoe Dexter: Doug McAvoy Sid: Michel Michelucci Park Policeman: Aaron Russell Party Girl: Madison Shipley Man on Screen: Scott Karlan Don’s Diction Coach: Aaron Russell Ms. Dinsmore: Viktoria Medina Lady in Waiting (video): Maddie Alexander “Singin’ in the Rain” policeman: Xander Elliott Broadway Melody Agent: Zach Voss Broadway Melody Night Club Dancer: Lily Medofer Wind Dancer Solo: Katie Backstrom Hat Check Girl: Maddie Alexander J. Cumberland III: Aaron Russell Olga Mara: Kendall Mattix Baron De La Bonnett: Andy McAvoy Little Darling Dancers: Lauren Aragon Nicole Blue Mariah Cameron Cassie Gadd-Claxton Kayli Jones Sarah Parrilla Lexie Patch Lauren Taylor Villain Cowboy: Xander Elliott Cowboy Bert: Andy McAvoy Film Crew: Kyle Lakin, Jamie Douglas You Stepped Out of a Dream Couples: Kayla Abeyta/Zach