Milford High School's THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION
Review by Anna Leitsch, Lakota West High School Critic Team
When Milford High School decided to become the first high school in America to perform Owen O'Neill and Dave Johns' stage adaptation of The Shawshank Redemption, they knew it would be no easy feat. However, through the cast's seamless chemistry and the crew's attention to detail, they managed to tackle the show with taste and triumph.
Though the story of Shawshank is best known through Frank Darabont's 1994 film, both the play and the movie are inspired by Stephen King's 1982 novella "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption." Beginning in 1951 and told over the span of about twenty years, the story follows a young banker named Andy Dufresne who is imprisoned in a Maine penitentiary after being accused of murdering his wife and her lover. As Andy and the other inmates experience the realistic horrors of life incarceration, they must decide what freedom is truly worth and what they are willing to pay to achieve it.
The largest success of Milford's production was its ability to immerse the audience in the world of the Shawshank Penitentiary. The impact of detailed sets, era-appropriate music, and natural ad-libbing from the cast was amplified by a unique seating arrangement: viewers were woven into the blocking by sitting in a ring of chairs directly on the stage, placing them less than a few feet away from the actors at certain points in the show.
Prince Miller's wide range was evident in his performance as Ellis Boyd "Red" Redding, Andy's closest friend at the prison and the narrator of the story. He was able to switch between Red's confident, sociable persona and the weariness underneath, honoring the character's nuance and development. He was well-matched by his co-star, Asher Link, who played Andy Dufresne. Link's portrayal of Andy's quiet resilience created a character that the audience truly cared about - when he suffered, viewers did as well. The bond between Andy and Red was moving and believable; it was clear that these actors deeply understood their characters.
Luke Busemeyer, Jordan Jirles, and Kolbie Barclay served as particularly sinister antagonists in their roles as the Sisters, a gang within the prison that torments Andy Dufresne. They contributed to some of the show's tensest moments with well-executed stage combat and body language that conveyed a threat before they even spoke.
While this production could be considered minimalist in terms of set and costume, the quality of each was remarkable. Costume designer Heidi Hassman dressed each inmate in the same grey-blue jumpsuit but added small details that made each character appear unique. For example, characters who were new arrivals to the penitentiary had less grime on their uniforms than characters who had been there for years. Set designer Eva Braud added an element of realism to the show with her impressive framework of prison cells that stacked on top of one another and featured mechanized doors that could open and close in unison.
All in all, Milford's production of The Shawshank Redemption honored the struggles and experiences of its characters, ensuring that every prop, scene, and costume was packed with rich detail and emotion.
Review by Naomi Madaris, Walnut Hills High School Critic Team
The tarnished metal bars of a prison cell show no mercy to its convicts, no matter their guilt or innocence. Surviving the brutal reality of an inmate in the Shawshank State Prison requires clever thinking and determination, and Milford High School provided audiences with a purposeful rendition of The Shawshank Redemption.
Originally authored by Stephen King in 1982, the novella was dramatized into a film by screenwriter and director Frank Darabont in 1994. Darabont's interpretation shed light on the institutional corruption that took place inside of America's penitentiary system, with the idea of hope being an overarching theme of the story. The hopeful story of Andy Dufresne's incarceration is detailed through the perspective of Ellis Boyd "Red" Redding, a man convicted of a similar crime to Andy's. As a result, Andy's resolve assists Red in the redemption he seeks.
Milford High School showed audiences the dramatic story and friendships that took place inside the Shank. The cast and crew immersed their audience into the play by seating the audience on stage, shaping an intimate experience of their production. The characterization of the cast was delightfully intricate, and the crew only elevated the production's success with meaningful creative choices.
Asher Link delivered a remarkable portrayal of prisoner Andy Dufresne. Link's acting maintained a consistent amount of depth throughout the entire production, and when met with the complexity of Andy's character, Link demonstrated the ability to showcase a variety of emotions that opened a door for audiences to resonate with his character's life. From outcries of the raw agony others had put him through, to the giddiness and grin displayed upon winning a simple game of chess, Link established beautiful opportunities to seize the sympathy of those around him.
Providing support to the storyline was Charlie Steiger in their role as Tommy Williams. Upon Tommy's introduction to the stage, it became clear what to expect from Tommy's character. Passion, enthusiasm, and a will to strive towards his goals were pleasantly conveyed through Steiger's acting. Additionally, the play was nicely strung together by the thoughtful narration of Red played by Prince Miller. He exhibited phenomenal comedic timing throughout the show.
The characters of this production could not have been synthesized and brought to life in the way they were if it weren't for the work of hair and makeup and the costume crews. Jacey Mahaney and Heidi Hassman's work for hair and makeup was most noticeable after fight scenes occurred, in which the makeup had left blemishes on the skin of actors, adding a touch of realism to the show. The costume crew, which was also under the direction of Heidi Hassman, symbolized important traits in characters through deliberate choices of accessories such as the chess pieces that hung around The Sisters' necks.
Overall, Milford High School's presentation of this show offered a gentle reminder that with enough hope, it is possible to right one's wrongs.
Review by Adah Mosher, Walnut Hills High School Critic Team
As the lights dimmed and the jail cells' oxidized bars slammed closed, the audience was transported into the dreary world of The Shank, the high-security penitentiary that held the worst of the worst in Milford High School's production of The Shawshank Redemption.
Based on the 1982 novella, "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption," by Stephen King, the play details the life of Andy Dufresne, an inmate at the penitentiary who is the alleged murderer of his wife and the man she was having an affair with. The story follows Andy and his fellow inmates through years of imprisonment, focusing on themes of hope and resilience.
Milford High School, despite being the first high school in the United States to produce the play, took this challenge and executed it with ease. With compelling and realistic performances from actors as well as pragmatic and authentic technical elements, Milford's production of The Shawshank Redemption was a show to cell-abrate.
Leading the show with astounding confidence was Asher Link as Andy. Link's specific vocal and physical choices built a character that was intelligent, stoic, and incredibly loyal. Andy's character arc, while subtle, was a highlight of the performance, showing Link's range as an actor.
In addition, the show would not be the same without the extremely strong supporting cast. A standout performance was that of Charlie Steiger as Tommy Williams, a younger inmate who is determined to pass his high school equivalency exam in order to provide for his family. Steiger's performance was acutely honest and created a lovable character that moved the plot forward greatly. Another attention-grabbing performance was that of Prince Miller as Ellis Boyd "Red" Redding. His comedic timing brought a lightness to the show that would otherwise not exist, and his ability to interact with all members of the cast illustrated the altruistic mentor that Red is.
The simple yet impressive technical elements brought The Shank to life. For example, the costumes, designed by Heidi Hassman, showcased each character's personality while maintaining the uniformity that the show calls for, with unique touches to each costume such as Red's bandana as well as The Sisters' chess piece necklaces. Another exemplary technical element was the work done by the stage management team, Lyra Grammel and Riley Slemons. A highlight was the accuracy of cue calling and ease of scene changes.
The Shawshank Redemption, was no easy task, but Milford High School rose to the occasion gracefully with cohesive technical design and captivating performances, teaching the lesson that "hope is a powerful thing."
Excerpts From Other Top Reviews
"Knox Holser did a wonderful job portraying Brooksie and showing his characters' vulnerability, standing and shaking on the ladder he almost kills himself on, his voice wavering as he describes the miserable life that awaits him after he leaves prison on parole. Holser brought an appropriate amount of emotion to one of the most emotional moments in the show, perfectly showing his character's pain to the audience. Additionally, Tommy Williams, played by Charlie Steiger, had childlike mannerisms, such as playing with her fingers and hugging her chest when nervous, making Tommy stand out from the 'tougher' characters with her anxious body language."
-Margaret Evenson, Mercy McAuley High School Critic Team
"While actors brought their characters to life, Milford High School's technical elements turned this onstage performance into an immersive experience for the audience. One central component was the costuming. Costume designer Heidi Hassman showed impressive attention to detail in the costumes. Whether it was visible wear and tear on uniforms and shoes to distinguish new from old prisoners, or the character-specific accessories, like Red's bandana bracelet and the chess piece necklaces on the Sisters, Hassman gave characters individuality in a setting that demands uniformity. Additionally, Lyra Grammel and Riley Slemons displayed perfect timing and teamwork as stage managers. They executed light and sound cues with precise timing and made central elements of the show, such as the group-releasing prison cells, look effortless and almost automatic."
-Violet Kimnach, Walnut Hills High School Critic Team
"As Andy Dufresne, Asher Link brought his character to life with his moving performance and impressive range. Link's portrayal of his character's quiet intellect made his confrontation with the warden all the more powerful. As he was dragged away and his yells echoed off the walls, Link left a spine-chilling atmosphere that set the tone for the conclusion of the play."
-Anna Parsons, Mercy McAuley High School Critic Team
"Enhancing the story, the production's technical elements engaged the audience within the world of The Shank. The set, though somewhat minimal, immediately transported the audience, with prison cells fashioned with doors that could open and close via a pulley system. Designer Eva Braud utilized the intimate stage setting to immerse audience members the moment they stepped into the theater. Additionally, the show's seamless transitions and impressive timing pulled the show together, thanks to stage management led by Lyra Grammel. Grammel's impeccable precision was most prominently demonstrated by a cue initiated by an object landing in an actor's hands."
-Ivy Syroney, Walnut Hills High School Critic Team
"Another performance that stood out was Charlie Steiger as Tommy Williams. Steiger personified an extremely loveable character, and made Tommy's passion echo off of the stage walls, proving him all the more impactful to Andy. Steiger brought a dynamic cheerfulness to the prison and captivated the audience even with limited moments on the stage. Alongside Steiger, Prince Miller as Red proved a remarkable narrator and friend, shifting from a guilt-filled, trembling confession to making the audience roar with laughter with a comedic remark about butterflies."
-C.C. Wise, Walnut Hills High School Critic Team
"No matter how well the actors perform, one can't have a production without a crew, and the Milford Crew ran the performance seamlessly. From the 1960s tunes chosen by the sound team to the set which had cell doors and was two stories high, the crew provided the perfect background for the story. The lights, headed by Jacob Peterson, did an excellent job by creating contrasting colors, with warm lights in offices, daylight, or happy times and cooler lighting during the cell, fights or sorrowful moments. This helped enhance each of these scenes indicating what the audience should be feeling during those moments. Created by Heidi Hassman, the blue jumpsuits, unique prison numbers and complex detail added onto the costumes gave every prisoner a different look, allowing each character's personality to be expressed. The make-up artists also added to the show. From cuts, bruises, black eyes and handprints, Heidi Hassman and Jacey Mahaney brought to life the true toll of prison life."
-Kelly Pentiuk, Boone County High School Critic Team
"From the moment the cell doors open for the first time to Red and Andy leaving jail and having new hope for their lives, Milford High School's rendition of The Shawshank Redemption was composed of hard work and talent that left the audience pensive of the true meaning of hope."
-Mallory LaRiviere, Lakota West High School Critic Team
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