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 Anderson High School's recent performance of Greater Tuna:

        “Picture this: a small town in Texas containing an abundance of Baptist churches, unidentified flying chalupas, no subscriptions to Intellect, and a Smut Snatchers Club. Those are some of the many characteristics of Tuna, Texas, in the hilarious play Greater Tuna. With each of the cast members often taking on more than one role and gender, they all executed the play with splendid professionalism.”

— Melissa Smith Mallery, Beechwood High School

        “... Erica Russell deserves special attention for her role as the grandma, Pearl Burras. (She) did a wonderful job of keeping character despite the fact she had to work with pantomime props all evening.”

— Amanda Humphries, Cincinnati Christian

        “... They increased the original cast of two to 10. Even with the cast enlargement, each of the members had to perform two parts. Patrick McCamley and Michael Krantz opened the show as absent-minded radio announcers. Their team was well-performed, even when one of them had to switch characters and do a spot on their radio show...

— Luke Garbenis, Cincinnati Christian

        “... Many of the males played female roles and vice-versa. One would think that would be difficult to accomplish throughout an entire show, but it was hilarious!

        “... From costumes to lighting to the astounding artwork of the set, the whole show was sparkling ... the audience never stopped smiling.”

— Ashley Wallace, Cincinnati Christian

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