Cappies Review: Edison High School's 'Flowers for Algernon'

PHOTO (from left to right): Max Bertman and Timothy Etter/photo by Emily Yankovich, student at Thomas Edison High School

Review by RUBY TIPPL of Westfield High School

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA -- I don't know what's worse: to not know what you are and be happy, or to become what you've always wanted to be, and feel alone. Thomas A. Edison delved into this and many other themes in their heart-wrenching production of "Flowers for Algernon" as they asked their audience a fundamental question: What happens to the self when the mind changes?

"Flowers for Algernon" was originally written as a science fiction short story and subsequent novel by Daniel Keyes in 1959. After great critical acclaim, "Flowers for Algernon" was adapted into a screenplay in 1968, for which Cliff Robertson won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Charlie Gordon. The show was adapted for stage in 1969 by David Rogers. "Flowers for Algernon" has cemented itself as a twentieth century classic, exploring themes of how intellect effects happiness, and how society treats the mentally ill. The story follows a 32 year old mentally disabled man, Charlie Gordon, as he undergoes an experimental surgery that is intended to drastically increase his intelligence. As his IQ increases, Charlie examines how one's intelligence affects one's happiness and the strength of friendship and unconditional love.

At the helm of the show was Nicholas Riehle as Charlie Gordon, who moved the audience as he masterfully captured the drastic changes his character undergoes. Riehle explored the themes of the show as he portrayed his Charlie's rise to genius and his descent back to an IQ of 68 with passion and empathy. Onstage almost the entire show, Riehle guided the audience through the complex emotional and mental changes his character undergoes with striking physicality and great tact.Timothy Etter, Max Bertman, and David Leavitt gelled incredibly as Dr Strauss, Professor Nemur, and Burt Seldon; the team of researchers who run the experiment that results in Charlie's exponential intelligence.

Throughout the show, these characters served as reflections to society in how the treat Charlie, and the actors playing them tackled these mature themes with grace. One of the hardest tasks for a young actor is to portray an older person, but the trio utilized vocalization and physicalization to age themselves effectively. Madison Sterner's chemistry with Riehle as Alice Kinnian was touching, and evoked heart wrenching emotion as she delivered authenticity and empathy as she struggled to love a man who was slowly deteriorating.

Despite some technical hiccups, the lighting and sound design greatly added to the mood of the show. A large screen stood in the middle of the minimalistic set that projected lights and shadows of Charlie's memories during pivotal scenes. All of the sound cues were perfectly timed, never taking the audience out of the world of the show. Student done musical composition by Tan Bui and Bryan Ruthrauff was expertly executed, and heightened the intensity of significant moments, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats.Throughout the duration of the two hour show, Thomas A. Edison made the audience examine their lives from the perspective of Charlie Gordon, and they discovered that no matter his intellect, he has something to teach us all.