Students and teachers from 11 Tristate high schools recently formed the Midwest's first chapter of Cappies — Critics and Awards Program — a 2-year-old, Virginia-based organization through which high school students review theatrical productions of member schools.

        Following are excerpts from student reviews of recent shows:

        Taylor High School's Footloose:

        “The orchestra did a wonderful rendition of the toe-tapping melody and the voices of Rev. Shaw and Vi Moore, played by Scott Stoneking and Emily Harper, left the audience speechless.”
       — Vicki Meister, Mother of Mercy

COMING SHOWS

The Dining Room, Princeton High School, March 21-23 at 8 p.m., March 23 at 2 p.m.. Information: 552-8334.     Peter Pan, McAuley High School, March 22-23, 7:30 p.m, March 24 at 2 p.m. Information: 681-1800.

        “The cast consisted of about 50 people, and the energy was quite high, especially in the second act. "Somebody's Eyes,' sung by Rusty (Emily Wood), Urleen (Lydia Alfrey), Wendy Jo (Jackie Masminster), Milo (Beth Verdon) and Louise (Michelle Wilson), had harmony and strength.
       — Katie Robb, Mother of Mercy

        “J.R. Bruno ... completely took over the stage when he was dancing.The large scenes with the complete company on stage were chaotic but also gave the audience plenty of action.”
       — Melissa Smith Mallery, Beechwood High

        “Excellent on-stage lighting and good sets (especially the church's stained-glass windows) prove the stage crew's talent, and the orchestra is incredible. Unfortunately, some of the voices didn't carry as well as others; but overall, this play was as fun to watch as the energetic cast intended.
       — Eric Frye, St. Xavier

        Beechwood High's The Sound of Music:

        “The hills of Kentucky were indeed alive with the sound of music ... As Captain Von Trapp, played maturely by a stout David Hobbs, fell for the woman who brought music back into his house, Maria Rainer (Kaitlin Becker), the production was fleshed out with excellent understated lighting from Nathan Arnold, as well as a tasteful and fitting set.”
       — Jeremy Mosher, St. Xavier

        “Space was used innovatively. .. The second act became interactive with Max Detweiler (Nick Biron) playing host in the concert-hall scene to a live audience. Followed by a Nazi search for identification from random audience members, the scene was a directorial risk. ... The boldness to try something new ... was impressive.”
       —— Jamie Newland, Mason High

        “Nicole Fussinger, a very talented vocalist, dazzled the audience with her performance of Mother Abbess. ... The nun ensemble was marvelous. Their beautiful four-part Latin harmonies gave a chill to the audience.”

        —— Claire Zinda, McAuley High School

        (For more information on the cappies program, see www.cappies.com)
       
       

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