A poetic masterpiece at journey’s long end
Passionate play leaves lasting impressions
Distant music from the cathedral chimes as yet another infant falls victim to the brutal actions of the Coram Man. Meanwhile, a young musician finds himself wandering in a world of lies and deceit as his own mystery child falls into the deathly grasp of the Coram Man.
Can the infant escape and reunite with his father, or is he doomed to a deplorable demise in the shadow of the woods? The answer lies in Austin O’Brien High School’s magnificent and heart-wrenching performance of Coram Boy.
Helen Edmundson’s production of Coram Boy debuted in London’s National Theatre in 2005 and travelled to Broadway, closing in 2007 after earning six nominations for Tony Awards.
Coram Boy tells the tragically beautiful story that starts with a generous man creating the Coram Orphanage to provide refuge to young children. A villainous Coram Man takes advantage of this charity and charges women to take their children, with the promise of bringing them to the safety of the orphanage. The journey follows the struggles of an aspiring musician who is disowned by his family and his longlost son as they begin their quest to follow their passions in music and reunite in the most unlikely series of events.
The poetic masterpiece from Austin O’Brien deserves the highest praise for an impeccable execution, as well as the astounding emotional journey it expressed. The atmosphere changed with every scene to reflect a powerful new emotion. On occasion, diction was not completely clear, but the performers carried on with great enthusiasm. An artistic touch of creativity surrounded each performer, be it onstage or off, producing a truly compelling show.
Of these amazing performers, two actresses rose above with noteworthy performances. Andrea Handal captivated the room with her distinguished characterization and talent playing the role of Alexander’s lover, Melissa Milcote. Fully expressing the distraught agony of a heartbroken mother, Handal embraced the essence of theatre with her remarkable performance. Ruthie Moore shone in her role as the frantic and delirious Meshak. Moore added a mysterious and unique component to the play by acting as a living metaphor, expressing every scene with passion. Both actresses created powerful characters that lasted throughout the entire production.
A group of talented musicians filled the room with sound that varied from sweet romance to disturbing chaos. The entire orchestra, clothed in 1800s attire, presented a broad spectrum of sound that rounded out the production.
Yvonne Nguyen and Mikayla Wozney dressed the entire cast in extravagant costumes, adding a creative touch. Overall, the work from everyone onstage or behind the scenes paid off.
The intense yet lovely performance by Austin O’Brien students created a meaningful atmosphere that reminds us all to follow our passions, even when people fight against us.