TAR
Menu

triangle arts review

Green Hope High School's "Puffs" is Completely Charming

11/15/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
This weekend, the young thespians of Green Hope High School, under the skilled direction of Peter Comperatore, put on a completely charming performance of Puffs, written by Max Cox. This  play, alternately titled Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic retells a beloved, well-known book series . . . but from the perspective of the not-so-heroic, at least not at first glance, “Puffs.” These are the students from whom not much is expected, but as this delightful tale reveals, every story is worth hearing, and every life has a purpose.

The charming narrator, portrayed by an effective Alys Fewkes, gets right to business as the show opens. She has a story to deliver and characters to introduce, and she wastes no time. Fewkes knows just when to infuse emotion into her recountings, and she (and the show itself) demonstrates the perfect irreverent tone throughout, effectively keeping even the script’s darker moments light and enjoyable.

As the story’s quasi-hero Wayne, portrayed by an adorable and highly likeable Silfan Hirpa, is introduced, along with a host of other colorful characters, viewers are sure to feel the joy in the air. Each “Puff” in the performance adds something unique to the cast and to the story itself. And, despite the fact that the onstage action sometimes gets a bit frenzied, Comperatore keeps his cast in line, and his stage never feels cluttered. Also nice here are the cool-but-practical effects like the magical train platform, impressive lighting effects (Katie Allman), and the beautifully shaped and painted school backdrop.

Zoe Simpson’s “Megan,” the show’s cynical Puffs-antagonist, adds to the magic of the performance. An easy standout among the talented cast, Simpson effectively portrays Megan’s character arc and growth from beginning to end. Her talent is well-matched by two other female superstars, Ipsi Vasipalli as Hannah and Molly Campell as Leannne, both of whom, it has to be said, absolutely nail the English accents. Other fun additions include Brody Lyons’ nutty, hilarious turn as “Uncle Dave” and Henry Rowen’s sweet, heroic portrayal of “Oliver Rivers.”

Even as the Puffs lose house points and fail again and again in the first act, it’s clear, thanks to strong acting and direction, that these are characters who are going somewhere. And, as the second act reveals, they most certainly do. Surprising, slightly snarky, and completely complete with silly sound effects and amusing musical choices, this is one show that will make viewers root (and root hard) for the underdogs. 



0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    TAR

    We love the arts. We write about them. Founded 2018.

    Categories

    All
    5 Questions
    Book Reviews
    Burning Coal
    Carolina Ballet
    Cary Players
    Concert Reviews
    Dance
    Dance Reviews
    DPAC
    Durham Performing Arts Center
    Forest Moon Theater
    "From The Pit" By Michael Macsuga
    Harnett Regional Theatre
    High School Theatre
    July 2021
    Koka Booth Amphitheatre
    Music
    NCT
    NC Theatre
    Neuse Little Theatre
    North Carolina Theatre
    North Raleigh Arts & Creative Theatre
    NRACT
    PlayMakers Repertory Company
    Press Releases
    Raleigh Dance Theatre
    Raleigh Little Theatre
    Raleigh Memorial Auditorium
    ShaLeigh Dance Works
    Stone Stoup Theatre Company
    Theater Reviews
    Theatre In The Park
    Theatre Raleigh
    Theatre Reviews
    The Center Theater
    The Towne Players Of Garner

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    August 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact