Walnut Hills High School's INDECENT

Lemml (Jonathan Rubin, center) welcome's the audience at the top of the show in Walnut Hills High School's production of Indecent. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Review by Aashita Srivastava, William Mason High School Critic Team

In a world where art can provoke and inspire, even the smallest stories hold the power to make a statement. Walnut Hills High School's production of Indecent invited its audience into one such story, where the act of performance itself becomes courage.

Written by Paula Vogel, Indecent traces the journey of Sholem Asch's 1906 play God of Vengeance and follows a troupe of Jewish actors as they carry the production across continents and many decades. What begins as an exploration of faith evolves into a story of censorship and resilience. Through music-infused storytelling, Indecent examines what defines impactful art, its consequences, and how performance itself can become an act of defiance.

Walnut Hills High School delivered a deeply immersive and polished production of this demanding show. With committed actors, strong performances, and complicated but well-executed technical aspects, Walnut met the historical and emotional weight of this script with confidence. Their clear storytelling and attention to detail allowed the heart of the play to shine, paving the way for the show's powerful moments.

One noteworthy performance was by Jonathan Rubin, who played Lemml, a devoted stage manager and narrator who guides the audience through decades of hope and hardships. From the beginning, Rubin captivated the audience with his high-energy and charismatic introduction. He navigated a wide range of emotions, shifting seamlessly from frustration at Asch over the show's censorship to devastation as the fate of his troupe unraveled. Rubin embodied Lemml's devotion to his art, reminding the audience that for some, theater is not just performance, but purpose.

Another beautiful performance in this production was given by Caroline Lovelace, who played Reina, an actress in the troupe whose love for Dorothee becomes one of the most tender and controversial elements of the play. Lovelace approached the role with sincerity and strength, allowing the audience to feel every ounce of Reina's frustration in moments like when she struggled to speak English. Lovelace's portrayal was mature, yet preserved an almost childlike innocence, which made Reina's longing even more heartbreaking. This balance was especially evident in the final rain scene, where Lovelace let relief and joy radiate through her, creating a moment that felt both cathartic and earned.

An element of this production that deserves recognition is the cast's remarkable ability to shift seamlessly between American, German, and Yiddish accents, even speaking and singing in Yiddish at times. Whenever the characters spoke their native language, the actors used perfect English. When the characters spoke in English, the actors used accents or broken English to signify the switch in dialect. The work of their dialect coach, Noa Jaffee, was extremely evident, as each switch felt natural and authentic. This attention to dialect added a layer of realism and cultural richness, which amplified the impact of each scene.

Walnut Hills High School's production of Indecent carried the audience through a journey of courage, love, and resilience, addressing the fragile topic of art and censorship. It wove together moments of heartbreak and joy, of longing and triumph, with performances that were precise and deeply human. With elements like real water as rain to heighten the emotion of the final scene, or salt as ash to represent the tragic but historically accurate fate of the characters, this production immersed the audience in powerful storytelling, leaving the lasting reminder that stories can never be silenced, and that even in the depths of oppression, art endures, speaks, and survives.

Madje Asch (Lauryn Shafer, left) becomes the first person to read God of Vengeance in bed with her husband, Sholem (Clark Sayre, right) in Walnut Hills High School's production of Indecent. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Review by Alyssa Othman, Conner High School Critic Team

In a theater steeped in shadow and memory, Indecent unfolded at Walnut Hills High School as both tribute and testimony. With striking intentionality, this production transformed the stage into a living archive, honoring the artists who risked everything to tell a story the world once tried to silence.

Indecent is a play written by Paula Vogel. It tells the story of the turbulent journey of Sholem Asch's controversial play The God of Vengeance. The play touches on not only the backlash received by the creator but also the troupe that carried it across continents despite censorship and antisemitism. The story moves fluidly through time and place. The script even combines narration and music into a world of persecution. This play is heavy and demands precision and emotional stamina, all of which Walnut Hills delivered with clarity.

The production's strength lay in its cohesion. Transitions were seamless, with actors shifting between roles and narrators without disrupting the emotional throughline. The ensemble functioned as a single heartbeat, guiding the audience through decades of hope, backlash, and remembrance. From the opening moments, Lemml's wide-eyed devotion to the script established a tone of reverence that carried through to the haunting final tableau.

Jonathan Rubin, who played Lemml, anchored the performance. Throughout the 100-minute show, he continuously showed sincerity and restraint. From the start, he played the role very well, oozing with an eager physicality. He was not afraid to lean forward, to show his eyes bright with conviction, truly bringing the character to life. As for the female lead, Manke, Adelaide Linser played her beautifully. She truly showed the character's nuance. She was able to show not only Manke's grounded side, but also her caring and loving heart. In the restored rain scene, her subtle physical choices communicated gracefully from the stage.

The supporting performers and ensemble were a constant presence onstage. However, though some might be quick to think this would take away from the main characters in key scenes, it was the opposite--they enhanced the focus. They were disciplined and fluid in transitions. They helped to create an atmosphere while maintaining focus on the central ideas of the play.

Technically, the show elevated the storytelling without overshadowing it. The rain effect shimmered under precise lighting. The crew helped to suspend the scene in a dreamlike stillness. In the closing moments, stark illumination and the image of the ensemble standing in line created a chilling final picture that lingered long after the blackout.

Through disciplined ensemble work, thoughtful design, and emotionally grounded performances, Walnut Hills High School's Indecent honored the resilience of artists who refused to let their stories disappear. It was not merely a recounting of history, but a powerful reminder that theatre endures because people insist on remembering.

The cast performs the song "Vat Ken You Mahk?," a satirical song about Jewish immigrants assimilating to American culture, in Walnut Hills High School's production of Indecent. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Review by Remy Hulshult, Lakota West High School Critic Team

Theater has always been a light in darkness to so many. This especially rings true for Jewish people and immigrants living in America in the 20th century. Their perseverance and strength shone through in Walnut Hills High School's production of Indecent by Paula Vogel.

Indecent was written in 2015 and was inspired by the true story of Sholem Asch's play The God of Vengeance and the events surrounding it. It follows the playwright Asch, optimistic stage manager Lemml, and their troupe of actors as they try to share The God of Vengeance with the world. After its success in Europe, the troupe immigrates to America to try their hand at Broadway, only to be arrested for obscenity. After returning to their home country of Poland, Lemml and the actors fall victim to the horrors of the Holocaust.

Walnut Hills High School's production was stirring, impactful, and full of symbolism. The minimal set and staging, while simple, made a great impact. It made the emotionally charged story stand out even more. The cast had great stage presence. Even though most of the ensemble stayed onstage for the entirety of the show, they did not pull focus.

The lead actors utilized their talents to bring the story of Indecent to life. Jonathan Rubin as Lemml brought such passion to the character. He embodied Lemml's optimistic attitude very well. Alongside Rubin, Adelaide Linser as Dorothee also excelled. With great emotional range and depth, Linser truly breathed life into the character of Dorothee.

This production also had several strong supporting actors, as well as a strong ensemble. Some standouts were Clark Sayre in the role of Sholem Asch. He depicted Asch's many struggles throughout the play very well, as well as his descent into depression and reclusiveness. In contrast, Caroline Lovelace's naive and joyful portrayal of Rifkele was well done. The multitalented ensemble also made an impression. With several featured dancers and singers, the ensemble helped the show come to life.

There were several creative and advanced technical elements used in the production. From a rain system to projections that supertitle the show in several languages, the tech was very well done. Stage manager Abbie Kershner designed a system to look like rain was falling on stage which was used in a beautiful, poignant scene. The projections were used to note the location of a scene or what language the actors were speaking in. The format was very creative, with Yiddish text on the top and the English translation below.

All in all, Walnut Hills High School's production of Indecent was moving, impactful, and touching. The talented actors and excellent technology shone a light on the story of Sholem Asch, his play The God of Vengeance, and all of the struggles he faced.

Manke (Adelaide Linser, left) and Rifkele (Caroline Lovelace, right) embrace in secret during the infamous "Rain Scene" in Walnut Hills High School's production of Indecent. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Excerpts From Other Top Reviews

"One crew that especially stood out was the costumes department led by Alice Carmicle. Carmicle took the time to research and ground the costumes into the 1940s, where the show is set, and did a phenomenal job doing so, from even the smallest element, such as the color pallets of the characters, the crew never missed a detail."

-Parker Pope, Highlands High School Critic Team

"The Rabbi Joseph Silverman, played by Charles Burdsall, delivered a chilling monologue that carried the show's central message, his voice settling over the stage with a haunting gravity. Sarah (Amelia Hoops) offered balanced comedic relief without undermining the play's heavy message. Whether as an actress in The God of Vengeance or an exhausted trope member, she enriched her scenes with humor and heart."

-Emily Benight, Harrison High School Critic Team

"Additionally, Abbie Kershner designed and created the water system for "The Rain Scene." The rain scene is a main point of The God of Vengeance, in which there is a lesbian kiss, and the scene is discussed many times throughout Indecent. At the end of the show, when the audience saw the scene truly performed, the water was dispersed on stage and it was a breathtaking moment."

-Parker Lawhorn, Harrison High School Critic Team

"Played by Zachary Stucker, Mr. Peretz served as the most outspoken voice against Sholem Asch's play in its first pitch, presenting all of the concerns regarding it that would later return and be the reason for the arrest of the Broadway cast. Stucker's ability to embody the disgust felt by Peretz excellently sets up the remainder of the play."

-Peyton Chase, West Clermont High School Critic Team

"Riley Colman, Abbie Kershner and crew's set design was creatively displayed on stage. While it may have been simple, it was perfect for portraying many different areas and countries with minimal effort. Not only that but the details transported us into the exciting world of the theatre world in the 1920's. Adelaide Linser, Ellie Cook, and crew did a spectacular job at promoting this show. Their posters and social media posts greatly captured the essence of Indecent."

-Roland Hensley, Highlands High School Critic Team

"Complimenting the dynamic cast, the production was enhanced by numerous technical elements. Most notably, the special effects, including the use of awe-inducing use of real water during the iconic rain scene, were designed entirely by student technical director and production stage manager Abbie Kershner. The work done by Kershner greatly deepened the overall immersion of the production, making the moment to moment action on stage all the more impactful."

-Henry Weghorst, Highlands High School Critic Team

"Walnut Hills High school's production of Indecent was one to be remembered. Whether it was the cast's emotional performance, the engaging technical aspects, or the story itself, the audience felt the effects of this show and will continue to be affected long after the curtain falls."

-Natalie Hartman, Lakota West High School Critic Team