Theater Review: 'The Greek' by Pomperaug Theatre Company

Review by Connecticut Critics Circle member Nancy Sasso Janis

The students in Pomperaug Theatre Company are presenting their fall play this weekend on the stage at Pomperaug High School in Southbury. “The Greek” is a play compilation which is a student run and designed show. Pomperaug teacher Madge O’Toole directed the students and served as producer alongside Jeanne Hawley.

The director explains that the compilation “holds elements of Greek Drama and takes a look at the results of conflict. In the end, “The Greek” offers a potential solution that starts not through war, but through a look within ourselves.”

The first act is the one act play “Antigone Now,” written by Melissa Cooper. Ms. O’Toole notes that this fresh interpretation “brings us to understand the morals and ideals of both Creon and Antigone, adding that what she likes most about this piece is that the protagonist isn’t necessarily Antigone.

The cast of “Antigone Now” tackles their challenging roles with dedication. Izzy Winer rises to the challenge of the title role, mixing the angst and the bravery of her character. Winer, a PHS junior who played my theatrical daughter in Newbury Musical’s “Fiddler on the Roof,” appears in her fourth show at her high school. Addie Evans plays her sister Ismene. Xavier Chu gives a strong performance as the girl’s uncle Creon and Sarah Sugden plays his wife. Chorus member Gabe Walker portrays Haemon and chorus member Brinley Powell, a senior, plays a guard.

The three fates are played by chorus members Kaelan Doyle-Holter, senior Sam Fig and sophomore Danieli Martino. The chorus also includes freshman Suzy Pavlock, Bella Yost, Jules Hakim-Santiago, Leo Marks, Savannah Paulus, Mairin Beekey, and Suraya Bush. The actors are required to deliver many lines chorally and do so well.

I loved the snippets of songs from “Hadestown” which were written and composed by Anais Mitchell that are performed a cappella and in beautiful harmony. Oh, yes, I hummed along.

The second act is the one act play “The Lamb,” the work of Brandy Kensignton. Ms. O’Toole explains that the play uses the Greek Drama element of the chorus “to help represent what we see and hear within our mind’s eye.” The story “takes us into the life of a high school student [referred to as “The Lamb”] and how her reality can change how she perceives the world.”

The students show their versatility when they switch to become the cast of “The Lamb.” Isabella Yost, a senior, steps up to take on the title role of a stretched to the limit high school student in a white top and black bottom. Junior Juliana (Jules) Hakim-Santiago becomes the Lamb’s quirky and funny friend and Leo Marks gets to be the boyfriend who is demanding of her time. PHS junior Mairin Beekey portrays her hovering mom.

Chorus member Savannah Paulus, a junior, plays a teacher and Suraya Bush plays Time. The three Fates return in this act played by the same three students, nicely linking the two one–acts. Chorus members that make one effective entrance through the aisles are Suzy Pavlock, Brinley Powell, Gabe Walker, Addie Evans, Xavier Chu and Izzy Winer.

This piece includes the high school students reading the fable “The Wolf and the Lamb” and a song made famous by Elvis. “You are not enough” feeds the insecurities of The Lamb as the Fates observe.

Mark Napoli was the production’s construction advisor. PHS senior Tooley Bergman served as a stage manager and tech director. Sarah Sugden, a sophomore, worked with Ms. O’Toole as assistant director and co-stage manager. Izzy Winer worked with the singers as musical director and Addison Evans served as choreographer. The set designers of the unique set include Bergman, Max Cardenas, Gaige Scherer. The stage is decorated with two dark facades, columns and a lit red sign reading “The Fates.”

The Greek-inspired costumes for the first act and the more contemporary high school outfits for the second were designed by Clara Kromer. The impressive video design that accompanies some of the scenes in both acts were designed by Kaelan Doyle-Holter. Sophomore Charis Hubbard took care of the prop design that includes the body of one of the slain brothers of Antigone and foldable wooden chairs.

Senior Eli Hornberger, a Halo nominated lighting designer, has accomplished some very specific lighting designs that add so much to many key scenes. Zoe Dailly and senior Colton Lorensen worked together on the sound design and ambiance that contains a fair amount of cues and some incidental music. Senior Aimee Heck was in charge of hair and makeup design. Brinley Powell provided percussion coaching and its design; the backstage drumming was performed by Nancy Brase.

Senior Claire Yorns works as house crew head and is responsible for the accurate program design.

Before the show begins, Pomperaug always plays a video of rehearsal candid photos accompanied by music. Watching the short video is one of my favorite parts of the high school’s productions. The performance is presented with one intermission. “The Greek” will be presented this weekend only on the stage at Pomperaug High School on Judd Road in Southbury. Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

All photos courtesy of Madge O'Toole