The Summit Country Day's JOHN LENNON AND ME

Review by Brady Eastep, Milford High School Critic Team

When a life is scored by medical instruments, sometimes a faint soundtrack of hope is all that is needed. From the moment the show began, accompanied by some of The Beatles' classics, The Summit Country Day's production of John Lennon and Me expertly explored the lives of hospitalized teens yearning to feel even the slightest bit ordinary.

And explore they did: John Lennon and Me was published in 1996, adapted from author Cherie Bennett's earlier book, Good-Bye, Best Friend. The two works are very similar, both following the life of a teenager and aspiring actress, Star. Her thespian dreams were put on the back burner, however, as she was diagnosed with a terminal illness, Cystic Fibrosis. The play follows her hospital-bound life, as she faces new friends, her first kiss, and of course, the dreaded thumps.

A show that begins with an ever-positive teen's imaginative stories and ends with the unexpected death of her roommate will, without a doubt, always be a challenge, but Summit's cast and crew rose to the occasion. The group did well to capture and share the emotional rollercoaster of this unexpectedly sentimental and authentically raw story, and should be commended for their hard work.

Any review of this production would be incomplete without addressing the "Star" of the show. The success of such a play relies heavily on the lead's ability to encapsulate the subtleties of a young teen who works hard to make the most of her subpar situation and outwardly exude a chipper, "no problem" attitude, all while battling a terminal illness and reconciling with an absent mother. Hana Conte rose to the occasion, expertly navigating every nuance of her role with emotion and realism as the story progressed. Her admirable range as an actress was showcased every step of the way through Star, and the production would not have been the same without her impressively dynamic performance.

Star-studded leads aside, Caroline Hagerman's ability to embody the formerly antagonistic roommate turned friend was similarly masterful. Her performance of Courtney through the character's anxiety-ridden interpersonal troubles, fears for Star's health, and everything in between couldn't be described as anything less than complete. While John Lennon and Me focuses primarily on the two girls' emotionally charged lives, Alexis Lange's energetic personification of the ever-peppy Nurse Janice Bobrin added a level of realism to the children's hospital that kept the show lively and engaging.

Summit's technical elements were executed with a similar tactful range. The most notable of these was the creativity of lighting design. At the helm was Sophie Brouwer: her intentionally basic cues mixed well with a few tastefully bold ones, and overall, the design matched the shifting energy of the performance well. Given their constraints, she made very good use of two moving follow spots and was able to accentuate imagination-fueled sequences with backlit silhouettes and vibrant oranges, or emotionally intense ones with a sudden, barren blackout. Additionally, the stage management team, led by Kaitlyn Rassi, expertly ensured all major elements were timed with precision. Spotlight cues, set changes, and more were all well-coordinated and executed. Overall, the skillful design and organization helped the story feel full, believable, and encapsulating.

The cast and crew of Summit Country Day should feel proud of their final product. They skillfully and successfully shared a story and also left the audience feeling its resonance: a soft chord of hope, friendship, and the courage to live however you are able.

Review by Grace Siener, Mercy McAuley High School Critic Team

Whether lying ill in bed or in "Strawberry Fields," it's obvious that The Summit Country Day High School's production of John Lennon and Me was undeniably remarkable. From lights to emotion, the cast and crew constructed a world of both sorrow and friendship without even stepping outside of the hospital.

This comedic drama, based on Cherie Bennett's beloved book, Good-bye, Best Friend, is a story of love, lies, dreams, tragedy, and hope. John Lennon and Me is centered around the life of a dreamer named Star, who suffers from a fatal condition (cystic fibrosis). This performance displays the quirkiness and unwavering strength of a girl who has had to live in a hospital for almost her entire life, as she unexpectedly befriends various kids from around the hall. There is deceitfulness, a lack of communication, and intense emotional scenes, but at the center of it all, there is growth in understanding and forgiveness.

The Summit Country Day High School skillfully built the plot and its characters through their theatre department's remarkable storytelling. Within the spotlights, the organization, and the emotional depth portrayed in this rendition, an intense story came to life. John Lennon and Me is an emotionally demanding show to partake in; however, these students took the challenge head-on and overcame the struggles that come with continuously performing a sorrowful play.

Hana Conte, who took on the role of Star, truly embodied the character's spunk and optimism even in the face of darkness. Star shined on the stage through Conte's phenomenal expressions and her attention to this lovable script's genius. Conte had spectacular timing and energy in each line, no matter how small it was. Not only did she bring Star to life, but she exhibited the ability to swiftly transcend through various stages of grief, which is no easy feat.

Courtney Cambridge, Star's best friend, was performed by Caroline Hagerman. Hagerman was absolutely tremendous with her portrayal of Courtney. At first glance, this character is a "stereotypical blonde cheerleader," but Hagerman built on her character's individual personality and, through her emotional scenes, charming manner, and genuine facial expressions, gradually unveiled Courtney's complexity and the love she has for her unconventional friendship. Next to Courtney was Star's love interest, the mysterious boy on floor 2B, Jeff Levine (Ari Symonds). Symonds did a fantastic job building the tension and chemistry between Jeff and Star. His transition from Jeff's relaxed act to his touching past was splendidly performed and made his role much more intricate.

The lights crew, led by Sophie Brouwer, set the emotion of every bleak, emotional, and joyous scene. Not only that, but their stunning cues and design to shine a spotlight on Star every time she broke the fourth wall allowed for the play's fun and color to bleed through. Along with the lights crew was the stage management, led by Kaitlyn Rassi. This crew truly stepped up to the plate and thoroughly cleaned and sharpened every piece of this show, even within the tiny timing details. It was precise and undoubtedly impressive.

Lights, stage management, emotions, friendship, and sorrow all blended together to fabricate a breathtaking rendition of John Lennon and Me by The Summit Country Day High School. The cast and crew made it beautifully "Come Together," and this performance allowed their audience members to truly "Imagine" what life may be like for kids who haven't gotten to step much outside of their hospital gown.

Review by Adelaide Littner, Highlands High School Critic Team

Even as sickness shadowed the stage, Summit Country Day High School's production of John Lennon and Me shone with the kind of light that only hope, and a little rock 'n' roll, can spark. With a valiant cast and a hard-working crew, this performance created art on the stage as they brought the story to life.

Based on the book Good-bye, Best Friend, the play John Lennon and Me follows Star as her disease and her dreams wage a war to matter most in her life. Alongside her pursuit of acting, Star spends most of her life fighting cystic fibrosis in the "Heart House" alongside kids who started out as strangers in a similar boat, but quickly became the friends and family she had always lacked.

From the sets, to the costumes, to the acting choices, the different pieces of Summit Country Day High School's production of John Lennon and Me were like a puzzle made perfectly to fit together, as there was cohesion in every corner.

To start, Hana Conte, playing Star, truly was the star of the show as her stage presence and acting choices fully encapsulated that of a struggling, awkward teenager. As the show progressed, the character arc she created and the deep emotions that came with it were further highlighted. Conte demonstrated her deep understanding of her character as she clearly depicted valuable life lessons for audience members.

Moving forward, Courtney Cambridge, played by Caroline Hagerman, beautifully contrasted and supported Star as they both fought against their respective illnesses and became friends in a way very few expected. Moreover, Sally Kasem, by Katherine Shuey, created more variety among both of the previously mentioned characters as she represented the "old" Star, before Courtney arrived. As Star was exposed to more ins and outs of life through her new roommate, she began to change, which was exhibited in Shuey's character as she felt betrayed by Star's actions. All in all, both characters greatly supported Star and added to the production's complexity.

Furthermore, the lighting, designed by Sophie Brouwer, featured cues and changes in lighting that highlighted the imaginative aspects of the production. Brouwer also implemented practicals to highlight the sense of belonging that Star came to have at the "Heart House." Stage management also performed in an incredibly organized manner as they called cues and assisted in the logistical aspects of the production. Lead stage manager, Kaitlyn Rassi, as well as assistant stage manager, Dani Santamarina, both demonstrated exemplary organizational skills and kept the production running smoothly.

All in all, Summit Country Day High School's production of John Lennon and Me created more than just a simple storyline; they created a story to inspire their community as they showed how the right people can change one's life. Furthermore, the play was a fierce reminder that life isn't defined by how long it lasts, but by how it's lived.

Excerpts From Other Top Reviews

"Bridging the gaps between crew, actors, and directors were Kaitlyn Rassi and Dani Santamarina. Impressively, they were able to schedule rehearsals, help set technical aspects, and piece together the show as a whole, filling in lines, checking quality, and building the vibe that was precisely executed. A specific aspect that set the show was the lighting design by Sophi Brower, allowing the spotlight to masterfully set the mood between fiction and reality, refining the play."

-Thomas Sheridan, Mariemont High School Critic Team

"Hana Conte offered connection and vulnerability in her interpretation of Star. Acting as both the narrator and lead of the story, she remained on stage for the entirety of the production. Conte met the demanding stamina the role required with energy and infectious joy. Simultaneously, Conte's physicality had a childlike nuance that beautifully reflected the character's youth while dancing and gossiping with the other girls. When Star's concealment of her fear finally breaks in the final act, Conte's performance was filled with desperation and fragility, bringing tears to several eyes in the audience."

-Norah Shadwell, Highlands High School Critic Team

"These deep scenes were accompanied by simple and consistent lighting that helped set the mood and foreshadow what was to come next. Lighting designer Sophie Brouwer did a wonderful job keeping the lights in correspondence with what was occurring in the text and allowed the story to flow smoothly from space to space as the plot progressed. Additionally, this gentle flow of the narrative was made possible by stage management, consisting of Kaitlyn Rassi and Dani Santamarina, as they called cues and familiarized themselves with the text so they could make certain the show's transitions were clean and quick. They allowed for all the pieces of this show to come together and form the touching story The Summit Country Day presented."

-Lenora Braukman, Saint Ursula Academy Critic Team

"Hana Conte delivered a standout portrayal of Star, giving a performance full of energy, honesty, and emotional depth. Conte captured Star's bold humor and imaginative spirit while also showing vulnerability as her sickness progressed. Conte balanced the character's playful and serious moments with true star power, making Star's journey feel genuine and powerful. Every line felt genuine, and her ability to switch between laughter and heartfelt emotion drew the audience even deeper into her story. Her performance left a lasting impression, showing both the strength and heart of the character."

-Averie Shutters, Milford High School Critic Team

"Caroline Hagerman<cq> demonstrates that growth is always possible in her rewarding portrayal of Courtney Cambridge,<cq> Star's<cq> best friend. She carefully follows Courtney's<cq> transformation from an insensitive roommate to a source of unconditional support and understanding. Likewise, Ari Symonds<cq> as Jeff Levine,<cq> Star's<cq> love interest, successfully delivers a heartfelt glimpse into the painful reality of losing a sibling to illness."

-Pete Billias, Milford High School Critic Team

"Summit Country Day's production of John Lennon and Me was both charmingly hilarious and heartfelt. The story remained engaging and transported the audience into the mind of a lovable and realistic teenage girl, while actors consistently brought delight and sincerity to their roles. Overall, the play's unique perspective on life, death, and love gave many a memorable experience."

-Maya Gloria, William Mason High School Critic Team

"In the end, Summit Country Day High School's production of John Lennon and Me reminds us that when life accidentally plays that harsh, eerie minor chord, we can still choose to hold onto a dream and imagine a beautiful melody."

-Charlotte Weghorst, Highlands High School Critic Team