CAPPIES REVIEWS, FIGMENTS
TO: Advisor and Show Director of Figments at Albert Einstein High School
FROM: Judy Bowns
Here are the Cappies reviews for Figments. There were 41 critics at your show,
and up to now we have received 39 reviews. If we receive late reviews, we will
forward them to you.
Please share these reviews with your cast and crew.
Thank you.
-------------------------------------------------Beneath every cool, exterior façade lays a fantastical, tumultuous world. This
distorted reality grasps a person’s hopes, dreams, worries and sorrows and
magnifies them into hilarity. In what may be a worst nightmare scenario for some,
Rick’s inner world is brought to stage in Albert Einstein High School’s Figments
with uproarious hijinks and dauntless performers.
Theatre director and screenwriter Billy St. John wrote this clever comedy in 1995
and has since received attention from high schools and community theatres across
the northeast. Figments pens the story of a playwright, Rick Jacobs, struggling
with writer’s block amidst love life issues due in large to his domineering
mother. Rick’s imagination plays out with his double and his love interest,
Loni’s, double but Rick can’t even find peace in his own mind because of the
recurrent figments of his mother, Loni’s boyfriend Matt, his dead dad and his old
girlfriend Sarah. Multiple storylines conjure complexity that Albert Einstein’s
cast and crew handled with gusto.
In the central role of the show, Marc Cioffi playing Rick Jacobs demonstrated a
clear grasp of his character through his nervous physicality and matter of fact
way of speaking. His truthfulness on stage especially in scenes where he
interacted with his mother was endearing and brought many “awws” from the
audience. His mother, Beatrice “Mama” Jacobs (Michiko Feehan) was a comedic force
to be reckoned with, frequently stealing scenes (and laughter) with her constant
scolding and smothering of her son. Her meddling combined with exaggerated facial
expressions and a thick New York accent became the farcical force of the show
among performers who lacked solid comedic timing.
Bringing vitality to Rick’s aspiring murder mystery, Veronica (Elizabeth
Lambert), David (Jordan Hill), Winston (Zachary Norris) and Louise (Nora
Manzella) played off each other constructively becoming a cohesive ensemble.
Their admirable versatility was demonstrated through their reflections of Rick’s
mindset, whether excruciatingly hung over or fervently energized. A stand out
among them, Hill committed to his character with emotional displays and sincere
reactions even when saying nothing-impressive in a cast that often forgot to
engage when not directly part of the action. Exhibiting complete comfort and ease
onstage, Rick 2 (Carlos Castillo) and Loni 2 (Adeline McCaul) established
commendable chemistry through passionate interactions (in a closet no less) and
wild piggyback rides.
Set design, sound effects and music tracks added realism and hilarity. A musical
sequence from the film "Rocky" bolstered action near the climax of the show and
violent shattering noises when an urn exploded spurred the actors to react
accordingly. All sound was perfectly timed, although its volume sometimes
overshadowed dialogue. An apartment spanning the entire stage cleverly made use
of the space with archways that revealed the doubles’ rowdiness, bringing laughs
even in more serious scenes.
At the end of the day an overactive imagination isn't a terrible thing to have.
Albert Einstein's Figments proved that fantasies can be the push needed to
accomplish goals in an entertaining and heartwarming production.
by Zoe Le Menestrel of McLean High School
-------------------------------------------------Murder, mystery, talking urns, hangovers, and medieval torture devices all sound
like parts of the most ridiculous frat party ever, but they aren’t. These are the
thoughts that run through Rick Jacob’s head as he goes through life. Together
with a talented cast, they lead to one unreal, hilarious story in Albert Einstein
High School’s production of Figments.
The Dramatic Publishing Company published Figments, by author Billy St. John, in
1995. Although it never made it to Broadway, schools and community theaters
continue to perform this original imaginative comedy. Figments tells of a day in
the life of Rick Jacobs, a playwright with a serious case of writer’s block. The
characters of his latest work come to life onstage, acting out his ideas and
performing scenes differently as he makes edits. Rick attempts to work through
his writer’s block while dealing with the women in his life – his overprotective
mother and the attractive neighbor Loni, who has placed him firmly in the friend
zone.
Rick’s inability to express himself off the written page is manifested through
the creation of alter egos of people in his own life, who act out thoughts Rick
wishes he could share.
Listening to the advice of Imaginary Rick and using his creativity, Rick attempts
to assert himself, write his play, get the girl, lose his mother and find
happiness.
Marc Cioffi led the show as Rick Jacobs. Despite his ample stage time, he kept
his energy and enthusiasm with the role the entire time. His physicality and
sarcasm embodied the slightly awkward, yet heavily opinionated writer. Carlos
Castillo, as Imaginary Rick was outstanding as well. Castillo’s spot-on
mannerisms and perfect comedic timing had the audience in stitches. Cioffi and
Castillo worked well together, with speaking in unison and playing off one
another.
Mickiko Feehan as Beatrice (Mama) was perfectly cast. Her voice infliction,
stereotypical overbearing mother body language and quirks made her performance
hysterical. Feehan and Cioffi formed a superb “mama and mama’s boy” relationship.
Noah Habenstreit as Rick’s late Pop stood out from the ensemble, delivering lines
with subtle wit all while appearing in an oversized funereal urn.
Adeline McCaul as Imaginary Loni had brilliant stage presence with charisma and a
comic use of seduction. Castillo and McCaul shared excellent chemistry that can
only be made-up in one’s head, as they chased each other through the apartment,
losing clothing, exaggerating the real attraction between Rick and Loni.
The set was well designed, and used the entire space. It was built to give the
audience a sense of wonder, with objects moving on and off the stage without any
techs visible, and giving the audience a second of questioning of how people
ended up in certain rooms. The set strengthened the audience’s experience. Sound
effects and songs used gave a cinematic feel to the scenes where the figments of
Rick’s imagination acted out his play-in-progress and were executed well.
This comedy was both sincere and ludicrous, being heartfelt at times and utterly
hilarious at others. The imagination of a writer personified made Figments
enjoyable, creative, and a production to remember.
by Noah Mutterperl of Hayfield Secondary School
--------------------------------------------------
There is a disease that plagues all writers. This illness is called Writers
Block. Rick Jacobs's case is severe, but add in a clingy mother and a crush
who's taken and his condition seems hopeless. However, the help from some
colorful imaginations may cure the nuisance.
Figments, written in 1995 by Billy St. John, takes place in present day New York.
This comedy revolves around the life of the playwrite Rick Jacobs, who is having
difficulties finishing his latest murder mystery. In order to help, the
characters of his play come to life as figments of his imagination. While
struggling to finish the story, he has other problems like his mother barging in
and a crush that's dating someone else. With all this stress, it's no surprise
that even more figments of friends and family come out. Despite all these
characters around, Rick gets the end of his story and the girl.
The cast and crew of Albert Einstein's Figments put on an entertaining and
amusing production. The actors were all devoted to their characters throughout
the show. Also, the technical elements of the play were excellent at
distinguishing between reality and imagination.
Marc Cioffi, who portrayed Rick, was great. He was on stage longer than anyone
else in the show and was able to maintain superior energy and focus. His
dedication to the part was evident as he portrayed a myriad of emotions. Also,
Michiko Feehan was a hit as Mama. With the ashes of Rick's father in tow, her
fussing over Rick came across hilariously. Michiko's ability to develop her
character turned a silly mother into an endearing character who's love for her
son really shined through.
The supporting cast was just equally enthusiastic as the leads. The mystery
figures of Rick's play stood out in their ability to perform the same scene many
times and still maintain the audience's attention. They did this using
versatility during the scenes based on the feelings of Rick at that moment.
Elizabeth Lambert as Veronica and Jordan Hill as David were prominent due to
their obvious devotion to their parts. Also, the figments of Rick's real friends
and family had admirable performances. Their hard work was clear in the way they
took the original character's personality and amplified it to fit the imagination
world in which they lived. Carlos Castillo as Rick 2 and Adeline McCaul as Loni
2 in particular were very entertaining in their roles.
The technical aspects of the show were respectable. The closet that was
integrated into the apartment was was able to produce some hilarious moments in
its ability to surprise the audience with cast members at random parts of the
show. Also, the set had eclectic decorations everywhere including a Mr. Potato
Head, a suit of armor, and even a portrait of Albert Einstein. Likewise, the
costumes of the show were wonderful. They reflected the personality of the
character very well. Furthermore, the costumes of the mystery figments
coordinated which added a sense of consistency and unity throughout their
differing scenes.
The endearing performance of Albert Einstein's Figments was amusing and well
done. The actors had commendable performances and the technical parts of the
show were admirable. Altogether the cast and crew had an excellent performance.
by Grace Mattes of Chantilly High School
-------------------------------------------------Writers Block. The worst fate a writer can face or at least the second worst
after overbearing mothers. This past weekend, Albert Einstein High School showed
us just how entertaining a writer’s imagination can be in their production of
Figments, by Billy St. John.
Figments was written by Billy St. John in 1995 and takes place in New York City
in the apartment of writer Rick Jacobs. Rick (Mark Cioffi) hasn’t had much luck
with his love life or his writing: his mother drives away every woman he becomes
close to, he’s in love with his next door neighbor Loni (Lily Habenstreit) but
she’s dating an intimidating body builder (David Toro), and to make matters even
worse; he has writers block. Throughout the play, the audience is entertained by
“figments” of Rick’s imaginations that are either braver or more exaggerated than
their real counterparts. Figments is a relatively new play, having been written
in the past decade, but has been received positively throughout North America.
Einstein’s entertaining production was performed by an energetic cast who had the
audience laughing in every scene. Michiko Feehan’s hilarious portrayal of Rick’s
“Mama,” was arguably the most entertaining of the night; she was able to
perfectly capture the over-attached mother we all know too well. The entire
ensemble of Rick’s “figments” contributed to the comedy of the show while also
helping the audience relate to Rick’s hopes and fears. The inventive concept of
this show paired with the casts high energy and creative light and sound display
made for an enjoyable experience.
Cioffi convincingly captured the spirit of a middle-aged, homebody writer. His
imaginary counterpart, Rick 2 (Carlos Castillo), did an exceptional, and
hilarious portrayal of the daring person we all wish we could be. The phenomenal
Feehan embodied “Mama” perfectly from every nuance of her character. She captured
the audience’s hearts with her humorous remarks and heartfelt declarations of
love for Rick.
It’s not every show that we get to see what goes on in a writers mind. This
production would not have been the same without the ensemble of Rick’s figments
of imagination. Imaginary Loni (Adeline McCaul) and Rick (Castillo) had the
audience roaring with laughter when their relationship became more physical. The
imaginary cast of Rick’s new murder mystery was also incredibly entertaining,
from the beautiful and sarcastic Veronica (Elizabeth Lambert) to the flamboyant
corpse David (Jordan Hill).
The set allowed a variety of action for the characters, from closets that
seemingly held unlimited amounts of people to a kitchen with room enough for
figments of imagination, make-out sessions for imaginary Rick and Loni, and
Mama’s cooking. A creative light display and dynamic musical alerted the audience
to whenever Rick’s imagination was at work.
Fellow writers as well as others who appreciate the struggles of love and
creativity should all come to see Albert Einstein High School’s entertaining
production of Figments.
by Lillian Constance of George Mason High School
-------------------------------------------------Intoxicatingly funny and hilariously witty, Figments by Billy St.John at Albert
Einstein High School will leave you gasping for air. Set in present day New York
City, a struggling playwright attempts to tell both his next door neighbor and
his smothering Jewish mother how he really feels about them, all the while trying
to keep his imaginary characters in check and finish his play.
Stumped over a gargantuan case of writers block, Rick plays out in his head the
opening scene of his murder mystery and a cast of figments play out the scene for
the audience. As guests arrive at Rick’s apartment, they come along with their
own figments, all of which reside in Rick’s imagination. Although Rick is often
shy and soft spoken, his figment is loud and boisterous, letting the audience
know what Rick would really like to be saying. As figments from the murder
mystery clash with the figment doubles of each character, an all-out brawl breaks
out to determine what Rick’s fate will be with the girl next door and his
overbearing mother.
Driven by a strong ensemble of characters and their uncanny likeness to their
figments, the cast was able to peak the interest of the audience with unique
character quirks while gliding easily through complicated scenes. The stunning
set allowed the actors to move fluidly from one place to another, coming in and
out of closet doors and hallways with surprising versatility.
The figment double of Rick’s love interest, Loni 2 (Adeline McCaul) never ceased
to amaze with her witty quips and comic timing. Voicing exactly what you would
expect Rick would want Loni to say, Loni 2 was vivacious, sassy, and confident.
The perfect portrayal of the well-known girl next door archetype, Loni 2 had
seamless costume changes, enigmatic chemistry with Rick 2, and a saucy attitude
that left the audience in stitches.
Although it was sometimes hard to understand some of the main characters, the
mystery figments ensemble and their adaptability to their ever-changing
motivations made up for any shortcomings. The ensemble had to adjust quickly to
the emotions and attitudes of their playwright Rick, and did so by changing their
voices, movements, motivations, and characterizations flawlessly. A notable
character in this ensemble was David (Jordan Hill), who said it best himself,
“It’s hard to play a corpse.” Nonetheless, he played a lively and hilarious
corpse that brought down the house.
Acting as truly an extension of the cast, the Einstein Lighting, Sound and Stage
Management crews did a fantastic job. The lighting design was not only clever but
greatly enhanced the mood of the show, it was used to portray the changing
attitudes of the mystery ensemble and it was extremely effective. Music such as
the Rocky theme song and film noir style songs gave the audience insight into the
fantasies of Rick and his attempts to break his writers block.
Figments, a new show that is mostly unknown, was a surprising hit. Thoroughly
entertaining and wildly funny, the actors gave new insight into what goes through
a playwright's mind and the power of imagination.
by Lindsay Bur of South Lakes High School
-------------------------------------------------An overly involved mother, a jealous, “walking steroid” of a man, and a seemingly
unattainable young lady are all factors that prevent Rick Jacobs, a New York
playwright, from being able to finish his current project. These conflicts are
explored in Billy St. John’s Figments which parallels Rick’s imagination with his
bitter reality as he finds a way to try to combine the two to solve the problems
of his life.
As an already struggling playwright trying to make it in New York, it certainly
does not help that Rick Jacobs has been self-diagnosed with a case of writer’s
block. Despite his endless efforts, he cannot seem to get past the first scene of
what he had envisioned to be a groundbreaking mystery production. He can
attribute this to the constant interruptions of his mother who not only
interferes with his work, but even more prominently in his love life. While Rick
was already having difficulty in his attempt to escape the friend-zone of his
neighbor Loni, the clinginess and controlling nature of his mother only
contributed further complications to this mission.
The charisma of the figments was an essential aspect to the overall success of
the production. In order to fully depict the exaggerated personality of the
character they mirror, a certain energy had to be maintained throughout their
stage time, even when they were not provided lines to keep this up. Most of the
cast was able to do so, while a few members were sometimes lacking involvement
when they were not speaking.
Before Mama (Michiko Feehan) even had the chance to walk on stage, she was
already a crowd favorite as she screeched from offstage in a scratchy and naggy
voice that portrayed her annoying, yet innocent and amusing character. Feehan did
an impressive job of not relying on her comedic lines to make the audience laugh.
She used a distinguished and consistent character voice, a careful and sluggish
walk, and multiple small actions such as checking her pulse after a scare fro
Rick; these details combined to develop a round and loveable character.
The chemistry between figment Rick (Carlos Castillo) and figment Loni (Adeline
McCaul) was playful and strong, making the duo all the more enjoyable to watch.
It was evident that the two actors were quite comfortable with each other which
allowed them to have fun with the roles and make acting decisions that were
perhaps a little overly risqué. The team worked together to help Rick say the
words that only his figment had the courage to express to Loni.
Albert Einstein’s sound crew got creative with it's musical selections that
perfectly suited the tone of the mystery scenes. They brilliantly moved from
mystery to romance and eventually to a musical sequence from the film "Rocky"
that exemplified Rick’s determination. Although this music was sometimes
overpowering over the already hard to hear actors, their originality was still
impressive. The lighting was another important addition to the show that helped
the audience distinguish imagination from reality.
Figments is a highly creative and wacky show that, although a bit cheesy at
times, allowed the audience to have as much fun watching as the cast seemed to be
having while performing.
by Brooke Docherty of South County High School
-------------------------------------------------When imagination runs wild, the possibilities are endless. When a playwright lets
his thoughts wander, it’s quite the opposite. Daydreams mix with past lovers, an
inebriated murder mystery results from one too many, and an irritating mother
just won’t keep her nose out of everyone’s business. You’ll be seeing double at
Albert Einstein High School’s production of Figments as imagination comes to life
on stage.
This full-length comedy by Billy St. John opens to a melancholy Rick Jacobs in
his present-day New York apartment. The previous two months of the dreaded
“writer’s block” have left him in a hopeless state of misery. Rick’s dreams are
occupied by a murder mystery that is continuously interrupted by blood-andthunder fabrications of his mind. The playwright endeavors to balance his
overdramatic figments while lusting over the girl of his dreams, managing his
intractable mother, and attempting to write the perfect play.
Each actor in the cast of Figments embodied his or her role meticulously. Marc
Cioffi (Rick) epitomized Rick’s frantic personality and illuminated the stage
with passionate vitality. Michiko Feehan (Mama Jacobs) offset Cioffi’s spasmodic
actions and delivered her lines with a foreceful “mother-knows-best” ardor.
Feehan’s character of Mama evolved and shaped with Mama’s realization of Rick’s
love for Loni. Feehan additionally managed to maintain Mama’s passionately
stubborn demeanor, creating a deep character that was brimming with surprises.
Rick’s imagined characters of his murder mystery mimicked the tumbling storyline
of the play. The four actors illustrated the trials and errors Rick faced with
humor and suitable melodrama. Veronica, performed by Elizabeth Lambert, displayed
a shocking range of expression. Her reactions reflected Rick’s rollercoaster of
emotions as she executed the same scene multiple times, acting intoxicated,
overly theatrical, and decrepit, all with drastic variations. Veronica’s murdered
counterpart David (Jordan Hill) enhanced the mystery scenes with comical facial
responses and a continual awareness of his fellow actors onstage. Hill’s
entertaining imitation of the role displayed that a corpse can be a droll part of
any murder mystery.
Character choices for the real-life parts were expertly mirrored by the
supporting cast. Rick 2, played by Carlos Castillo, emulated Cioffi’s movements
and exaggerated them to depict the humorously histrionic interactions between the
figments of Rick’s imagination. Adeline McCaul (Loni 2) added to the extravagant
display of emotions as she and Castillo scandalously emphasized the
communications between real-life Rick and Loni. Some actors seemed unfocused at
times but the lively spirit between most performers kept the play at a dynamic
level.
The set of Figments, made by Sarah Becker and the Einstein Stage Crew, contained
many doors, platforms, and entrances, all of which were functional and pleasing
to the eye. The animated character actions were supported completely by the
colorful set, which did not squeak or make any unwanted noise. The sound cues
were well timed and clever. A raucous telephone ring astutely represented Rick’s
reception to noise the morning after his tipsy night of intoxication. Musical
background sounds occasionally overpowered the actor’s vocals; however, the music
perfectly fit the mood of each scene in the play.
Albert Einstein’s thespians delivered an uproarious showcase full of spirit and
animation. Imaginations ran wild as Figments hit the stage and touched funny
bones everywhere.
by Katherine McCool of South Lakes High School
-------------------------------------------------Figments is a busy and fun show if done right. The story of a writer that can’t
seem to get unblocked or ask out his neighbor that he’s had a crush on since he
moved in sets a very hectic chain of events and thoughts to solve. Einstein's
cast showed that not only could they make the show work but pass it with flying
colors. They had a good cast that was dynamic and funny. Not only was their
timing comical but also the chemistry between actors made for fireworks on stage.
Though some characters lacked the same spark between other characters, over all
they had good character connection. There were at times projection problems but
when pase picked up at the end so did the projection. Along with projection
hiccups there was loss of lines, which if been heard would have had great comedy.
Good stage presence overall though one or two times lines were said to a back
wall. Very clever and funny to have the mystery figments stop scene and exit
backwards, but when you don’t see where your going bumping into things is
inevitable.
Really great character changes for the mystery figments when scene was effected
by the outside world. The number 2’s (Rick 2, Mama 2, Loni 2, and Matt 2) where
great in over dramatizing the originals, at some points though there wasn’t
enough from overshadow of original character. The originals (Rick, Mama, Loni,
and Matt) where very well connected and made for good scenes; Though there were
moments of uncomfortable uncertainty between characters, the actors made
beautiful of the moments. The amount of quick changes for the number 2’s where
fantastic and should be applaud for such speediness and fluidity into each new
scene shift. Also during triumphant mystery scene the number 2’s back scenes kept
you laughing, as they would run through in bliss. Great character switch when pop
found out he wasn’t him self. Sarah was good and came off very seductive leading
to the belief of Mama thinking Rick had a bunch of floozies.
Tech did a brilliant job and helped scenes live up to full potential. Lighting
changes for mystery scenes was really great and set a good mood. The set it self
was well made though slightly questionable for a poor writer in a New York
apartment. Music as well for mystery scenes was very cohesive though sometimes a
bit loud in contrast to characters projection. Sound effects where well placed
and had good effect but sometimes questionable volume when in other rooms. The
student made urn for pop’s costume was extremely impressive, most hit the mark
perfectly. In all the play was very successful and well done. Congratulations to
the cast of this play.
by Gabrielle Montes de Oca of Annandale High School
-------------------------------------------------Everyone goes through struggles in life. The challenge, is overcoming these
struggles. These life challenges were skillfully portrayed in Albert Einstein HS
performance of Figments by Billy St. John.
Figments follows the life of a playwright struggling to overcome a patch of
writer’s block during the process of creating his next hit play.
Rick (Marc Cioffi) is a playwright working on a new murder mystery. With constant
energy throughout the play, Cioffi portrayed the distressed character of Rick in
a way that was engaging to the audience and captivating as well.
Loni (Lily Habenstreit) is a bookstore clerk and Rick’s upstairs neighbor. What
Loni doesn’t know, is that Rick is in love with her. Unfortunately for Rick, Loni
is dating Matt Santori (David Toro) a body building, muscle maniac who works at
the local gym.
Through a combination of comedic timing and energetic acting, the course of
events leads Rick Jacobs (Marc Cioffi) to overcome his writer’s block and marry
the girl of his dreams, Loni Wagner (Lily Habenstreit).
The play itself is composed of three different sections. The first part, the
“real” part is the real world, the one that Rick lives in and the one in which he
doesn’t get what he wants. The other two sections are the figments of Rick’s
imagination.
The first figment is an ensemble of characters from Rick’s latest play that he
cannot seem to finish. Throughout the course of the show, the first scene of his
unfinished murder mystery plays out repeatedly from time to time. The lighting
would change each time these characters came out, and the change was constant
which added an element of film noir to Rick’s play.
The second figment of Rick’s imagination comes in the form of the people in his
real life, just projected in the way that he wants things to turn out.
The set of the play was very intricate, with doors that led to behind the set.
These doors enabled characters who had exited to re-enter the set in a different
fashion. However, the set did not really comply with the setting of the play, as
it was much too large to pass as a New York City apartment.
The cast and crew created a show that was funny and had the audience laughing out
loud, as well as glued to their seats. Each actor created a character that had
comedic timing just right to provide that element of relaxedness that made the
show seem very natural and well put together.
by Jarod Golub of Annandale High School
-------------------------------------------------Writing typically requires imagintation, or in Rick’s case, a lot of imagination.
Last weekend Albert Einstein High School performed Figments written by Billy St.
John, a comedic tale of a writer experiencing writer’s block due to his nagging
mother and lack of a romantic partner.
Rick is trying to write his next great story by using figments of his imagination
to play the scene out in front of him, but his over-bearing mother is blocking
his creative flow. What’s worse is the love of his life, the girl next door Loni,
has a new body-building boyfriend, and Rick can’t help but let his imagination
run wild with the thought of being with her.
Albert Einstein High School’s production was largely supported by the energy of
Mama, played by Michiko Feehan and Rick, played by Mark Cioffi. They both
maintained strong characters, and Michiko kept the comedy running through the
whole show.
The multiple reenactments performed by Rick’s figments continued to captivate the
audience with Elizabeth Lambert as Veronica. Elizabeth successfully portrayed
drunk, hung over, and ready to kick butt as the main character of Rick’s
fantasies. David, played by Jordan Hill, had a clear cut character that filled
gaps where other characters weren’t as concisely portrayed.
The play is set in the living room of Rick’s apartment. Sonja Plungis and Rosetta
Previti’s effort into the set design is clear with the audience’s views into the
hallways outside the living room. Although certain character’s makeup is
liberally applied, the makeup on Loni, Rick, and their doubles looked natural.
The dramatic lighting change to Rick’s fantasy scenes created the difference
between figments and reality for the audience. The music was catchy and fit the
show but sometimes blocked the actors’ words.
The show Figments plays with the border between fantasy and reality, and Albert
Einstein High School’s performance effectively showed the chaos that can go on in
the mind of a struggling writer.
by Annelise Jones of Centreville High School
-------------------------------------------------Figments, written by Billy St. John, follows Rick Jacobs, a writer in his late
20's who is currently trying to overcome a bad case of writer's block. He also
happens to have quite the imagination. Cue the figments, all characters of his
imagination that are brought to life before our eyes. Four of them are characters
in his play-in-progress, the rest are parallels of characters in Rick's reality.
While we watch him try to put the moves on his neighbor/ love interest Loni, to
attempting to get out of his over-protective mother's grasp, we get to see the
hilarious parallels of what's going on in his mind.
Albert Einstein High school's performance of this show is sure to entertain
everyone. Filled with many jokes both good and incredibly corny (but who said
those couldn't be just as funny), to sweet moments sure to pluck at your
heartstrings. The show was very well cast, and the parallels of real characters/
figment characters were spot on. A crowd favorite, Mama, played by Michiko
Freehan, brought life to the stage every time she walked on, easily making up for
some less developed characters. A less prominent character, but still worthy of
an honorable mention, would be David played by Jordan Hill. Though his role
wasn't one with many lines and he played a dead corpse the majority of the time,
he brought energy to the stage when energy was needed. The setting served its
purpose well. It was functional and the actors used everything given to them,
though certain final touches seemed to be overlooked. Both the lighting and sound
played their roles efficiently, but at a few points the sound tended to overpower
the actors. Overall, anyone can be sure to leave this show with their sides
hurting, and the satisfaction of seeing a show that was good, especially by high
school standards.
by Emily Hoffman of Centreville High School
-------------------------------------------------Can you imagine sitting in your room, writing a story and all of a sudden, there
are your characters standing right in front of you? Well, if you saw Figments
produced by Albert Einstein High School, it wouldn't be so hard to imagine. In
this comedy by Billy St. John, who has written over 50 plays, the audience
watches a romantically frustrated but adorably awkward playwright named Rick
Jacobs who suffers from writers block and an wildly over active imagination. The
hilarity does not stop as the insanity ensues and the audience watches Rick try
to juggle his mother, relationships, and own subconscious.
For a play with so much going on, the cast did an excellent job conveying the
story with clarity and excitement. One character who never failed to entertain
was David, the murder victim of Rick's imagination, played by Jordan Hill. For
someone who died over and over again, he was one of the most lively characters in
the show. With every appearance, he brought enthusiasm and a witty personality
that you couldn't help but fall in love with.
Another character who had the audience in stitches was Beatrice "Mama" Jacobs
played by Michiko Feehan. She depicted the overpowering but hilarious mother who
was able to provoke laughter as well as a chorus of 'aw's with her heart string
tugging, motherly attitude. Also worth mentioning was the over all commitment of
the cast, who displayed a wonderful sense of physicality and movement. The use of
space kept the audience captivated and one could tell that the actors were
comfortable with each other, perhaps too comfortable at times, which really added
another element to the performance.
The set was very visually appealing and framed the actors well. Though there were
some overlooked details, the scenery reflected the creativity and personality of
the main character. As the mood changed in each scene, so did the lighting, which
offered a more inclusive experience for the audience. Also, a detail that was
appreciated was the continuity of the set, for instance, how when a door opened,
it showed a hallway instead of a backstage. This created a more realistic point
of view which really established the setting.
From the lovable character quirks to the little homage to Albert Einstein in the
set, this show represented the entire theatre experience. The cast and crew put a
lot of work into what turned out to be a show that was the epitome of clever
comedy. You could tell that they really understood the main theme in the play you can never go wrong with a little imagination.
by Jemma Stratton of Centreville High School
-------------------------------------------------Ever had writers block while writing an important paper? Ever had writers block
while your mom is over, and you are trying to win over a girl? Ever had writers
block while your mom is over, and you are trying to win over a girl, and over
dramatic figments of your imagination come alive? Well that's what the main
character of Figments produced by Albert Einstein high school, Rick Jacobs,
played by Marc Cioffi, had to deal with. The play takes place in Ricks New York
apartment where he has writers block when trying to write his new play. During
the play he is bother by his mother, and a girl he is in love with. While all
this is happening over dramatic characters from his imagination become real,
projecting his true feelings of other characters and himself.
One character that was brought to life in the show was Beatrice "Mama" Jacobs
(Michiko Feehan). Not only was her comedic timing and character development
impressive, but the littler details she added to her character such as tapping
other characters on the nose to make a point, just made the actress stand out
compared to other actors and actresses on stage. Another actor that brought some
needed energy to the show was Jordan Hill, who played David. Despite being dead
half the time his character had quirks and and energy the clearly showed
dedication to understanding his character that made him pop out on stage.
One technical aspect of the show that really brought the show together was that
the over dramatic characters from Ricks imagination were dressed exactly the same
as the real counterparts in the show. Although there were a few inconsistencies
between tech and the script the show was strong tech wise.
Figments was an extremely funny show carried wonderfully by the actors of Albert
Einstein high school.
by Jeremy Pritchard of Centreville High School
-------------------------------------------------FIgments, performed by Albert Einstein High School stars,Rick Jacobs( Played by
Marc Cioffi), a struggling playwright living in new york. His latest work begins
to unfold in his apartment where the heroine rushes in, fleeing some unseen
pursuer. The opening scene of this murder-mystery plays out until our protagonist
is interrupted by a knock at his door and is once again pulled back into reality.
Our writer, once again unable to finish this scene with no small thanks to his
writer’s block, approaches the door and the real story unfolds. A story of love,
overcoming one’s fears, and standing up for one’s self. Couple with many trips
back into the world of Rick’s imagination, has the audience on the edge of their
seats with splitting sides.
The Cast of Figments were all around talented group with High energy, and
excellent comedic timing. Their chemistry really made the show. Characters Like
Rick’s Imaginary counterpart, Beatrice, and even the character David really stood
out in the crowd. Rick’s Counterpart or “Rick 2”( played by Carlos Castillo) was
a joy to watch on stage. whether he was giving his counterpart a moral boost, or
participating in his own mirror reality of the protagonist's life, he always
brought tons of energy to his character. Mama Jacobs (played by Michiko Feehan)
was also a fan favorite. Feehan’s excellent characterization and character
development brought a lot to the show, Although her words were lost at times she
did an incredible job overall. Then there was David ( played Jordan Hill) a
character in Rick’s unfinished play who meets his untimely demise.Although he
doesn’t make a strong impression in the first act, he really leaves an impression
during act two proving the age old saying of “ No small parts”, Cause after all
“It’s Pretty hard to play a corpse”.
The Technical aspects of the show seemed to work rather well. Although there were
a few hiccups with the sound, like effect volume, the overall work was excellent.
There was great effect timing and an excellent choice in lighting. The set design
was beautiful and the costumes were commendable, most notably the Urn of Rick
Jacobs father.
The cast and crew of Figments put on an excellent show and should feel proud of
the work they’ve done,they came together and put on a hilarious show, that left
the audience begging for more.
by Jeremy Washighton of Centreville High School
-------------------------------------------------Imagine a mind with an imagination so powerful that anything that goes on in the
mind comes to life. Well in the production Figments, a comedy by Billy St. John,
such a mind exists. Rick Jacobs, a hopeless playwright with writers block, has a
crazy imagination that gets a little too wild. It even goes as far as him
conjuring up doubles of others and himself who act out what he wants to happen
between them as well as characters of the shows he is trying to write. He is
also struggling with trying to date his crush while trying to deal with his
overprotected mother, the main conflict of the show.
The father was played very well by Noah Habenstreit. He portrayed his character
very well with above average annunciation and projection. Even though the urn
the surrounding him made him stick out more than others, his constant flow of
energy and dedication to the character made him stick out more of a man than an
urn. Even when a couple of lines were stumbled on he kept his character which is
a nice ability to have. His constant puns and other jokes which were on cue gave
him some individuality while staying connected to the other characters.
The set was very well constructed with decent detail. The furniture and other
props worked well with the play and the movement of the characters. There were
walls behind the entryways, doorways, and closets instead of just having the
actors going off stage. It made the play seem more realistic which really helped
the show. Even though the set didn’t appear to be very period in terms of how
big it was, they made a good use of the space.
Overall the show was well preformed and interpreted, with decent technical work,
and a great couple of laughs here and there. After seeing it, one might question
if anything in their life is a figment of their own imagination.
by Kyle Artone of Centreville High School
-------------------------------------------------An overprotective mother, the girl next door and her rude boyfriend- sound
familiar? Figments, by Billy St.John, is anything but. Add a dash of writer’s
block, a hint of romance, and a bit of family heart, you have Albert Einstein’s
performance of Figments. Rick Jacobs (Marc Cioffi) is the protagonist, a
playwright with an imagination as dramatic as the mysterious film noir tale he is
trying to finish. As he attempts to overcome a massive case of writer's block,
the audience sees four figments of his imagination play out a scene from his next
murder mystery play. Multiple times he is interrupted by his mother, the love of
his life next door neighbor Loni, played by Lily Habenstreit (who is oblivious to
his feelings), and Loni’s new boyfriend Matt, played hilariously by David Toro.
A farcical romp through a playwright’s confused mind proves for an uplifting and
funny experience from Albert Einstein High School.
Natural physicality was presented in Figments, setting the scene for an in depth
look at Rick’s struggles. The intra-character interactions or lack thereof,
between the real and fictitious characters was strong and obvious, allowing for
the cute and heartwarming moments to shine through, as well as sneaking raunchy
one-liners that left the audience howling with laughter. Among the comedic
situations and characters, one actress stood out among all the rest. Michiko
Feehan, as Beatrice Jacobs, Rick Jacobs’s overprotective, recently widowed
mother, stood out as a star comedic actress, with slap-stick timing and
hilariously accurate characterization. Her imagined counterpart, with
significantly less stage time, did not fully fill the real mother’s presence as
we had hoped, but was effective in portraying Rick’s imagined fears about his
mother’s overprotectiveness.
As the show progress from the first to second act he actors fed well off of one
another, stirring up the needed energy for such a fast paced piece, which the
audience very much enjoyed. Unfortunately, there were some projection and
enunciation issues with a majority of the cast, as well as some slow pickup
between each other’s lines, resulting in unnecessary awkward pauses and lost
lines the audience yearned to hear. It was hit or miss with characterization
choices, flourishing at times, holding the audience’s attention for long,
enjoyable amounts of time, and at others, slightly confusing and seemingly
unrealistic.
Lighting wise, the changes in atmosphere represented a change between the real
and figment world was clever and nicely done by Amanda Gamage and the Einstein
Lighting Crew. In regards to the set, it was fully dressed, leaving no space
appropriately furnished, filling the entire stage, but perhaps not the best
choice for a struggling playwright in New York City. Seams were visible in
between the flats making up the walls and some aspects of the set were not as
well constructed as they could be but, as always is important, the set definitely
served its purpose through the story. Makeup, done by the Einstein Makeup crew
and Leah Martin-Rosenthal emphasized which characters were real and which were
fictional, especially Beatrice Jacobs old age makeup and grey styled wig. Each
character’s figment had a matching costume, allowing for an audience
understanding of who was playing whom.
Of course, fiction interspersed throughout reality is difficult to achieve, and
this cast and crew did so marvelously; a commendable performance by all.
by Maddie Helms of Centreville High School
-------------------------------------------------Have you ever wanted to dig deep inside yourself to explore all of your different
ideas and imagination? Well this Saturday, November 10th, the Albert Einstein
High School Theatre Department explored the imagination of one man in their
performance of Figments, written by Billy St. John. Figments is a thrilling
comedy about a young gentleman, Rick Jacobs, trying to write his new mystery play
while his head is jumbled with the distractions like his babying mother and his
lovely crush on his neighbor, Lona. Throughout the show Rick’s figments of his
imagination create a jumbled mess but also help Rick solve all of his problems
for the better! In Albert Einstein performance of Figments, the cast and crew
alike kept the audience in stitches!
Though the beginning of the show started off slow, the entire cast picked it up
and created a blast of energy. There were a few characters that really led the
cast to a hilarious performance. Rick Jacobs, played by Marc Cioffi, and Rick 2
(Rick’s figment self), played by Carlos Castillo, both kept the energy up
throughout the show. Both characters had a considerable amount of stage time, but
not once did either drop their characters. While Cioffi impressed the audience
with his adorable good nature character of Rick, Castillo showed Rick’s hilarious
alter ego. Another character who always put a smile of the audience’s face was
Beatrice “Mama” Jacobs, played by Michiko Feehan. Her perfect comedic timing
brought the house down. She also impressed the audience with her eccentric
character development in portraying the annoying mother and her consistent old
woman character voice.
Other characters that helped build the comical side of the show were all the
figments. Most of the figments created over exaggerated characters that helped
create the difference between reality and fantasy and created lots of laughs. The
Mystery figments, Veronica, David, Winston, and Louise brought comedy to every
scene they were in by changing their physicality and way they portrayed the
repeated lines depending on what was motivating their scene. For example, when
Rick was writing the morning after drinking too much they all acted to be out of
sorts. Veronica, played by Elizabeth, and David, played by Jordan Hill, were
especially strong in their different physicality changes. Another figment that
the audience seemed to love with all of their laughter was Pop, played by Noah
Habenstreit. Because Pop was stuck in an urn the whole show, he did not wow the
audience with his physicality but with his hilarious comedic timing! The audience
rolled with laughter at every bad and good pun Pop had to say.
The crew also carried the show in a technical aspect. The sound crew added to the
mood of the show by playing music during each of the Mystery figment scenes.
Songs like the Rocky theme song added to the energy, mood, and comedy of the
show. Another unique aspect of the sound was the ridiculously loud telephone
ring. The sound crew purposely made the ring loud to pull the audience into the
prospective of the characters. The lighting also created the different parts of
the play between real time and the figment fantasies with different colored
lights. This created some organization within this crazily hectic show.
Overall the audience fell to pieces throughout the entire show and left with the
good feelings of seeing a good show.
by Stephanie Rathjen of Centreville High School
-------------------------------------------------Ever wished a conversation could have gone better? In Albert Einstein High
School’s production, “Figments”, you’ll be glad to see you’re not the only one
suffering from writer’s block!
Figments focuses on Rick Jacobs (Marc Cioffi), a playwright suffering from a
crushing case of writer’s block and a love life dominated by his mother, Beatrice
(Michiko Feehan). Rick’s current love interest, Loni (Lily Habenstreit),
professes to Rick that she is uncomfortable with how quickly her current
boyfriend, Matt (David Toro), has been trying to sleep with her. Rick conjures
his own image of Matt (Daniel Zucker), a six-armed human spider who can’t keep
his hands off of Lori. Throughout the play Rick has a series of figments, ranging
from a quartet of actors in his current play, to his sultry ex-girlfriend Sarah
(Kira Appelman), and even his father (Noah Habenstreit), who was cremated and is
now kept in an urn. Figments is a wild and wacky play that will keep you focused
on the play from start to finish with its novel antics.
Figments is an enjoyable show, and though it is occasionally hard to follow the
action, the actors do a great job projecting their voices and making use of stage
movement for the most part. Some of the actors struggle to make strong choices.
The doubles for each character were portrayed well for the most part, and their
matching costumes completed the scene.
In a show that puts the focus on only a few characters, Michiko Feehan stood out
for her hilarious portrayal of Beatrice, Rick’s overbearing mother. While some
characters struggled to stand out in their roles, Michiko used a combination of
subtle body language and powerful acting choices to wow the audience and truly
establish herself as the ultimate helicopter mother. Rick’s figment of himself,
played by Carlos Castillo, stood out as the confident Casanova that Rick saw
himself as. Embracing his role, Castillo played Rick’s vision of himself very
well, never mellowing off or lacking confidence in his choices. David, the
unfortunate victim of a crime of passion in Rick’s murder mystery was masterfully
brought to life by Jordan Hill. Working with what he had, Jordan Hill managed to
shine as David through his body language and striking choices even though he held
less stage time then many of the other figments.
In a show full of comical moments, Rick #2 and Beatrice stood out for their
impressive timing and strong delivery of some of the funniest lines in the entire
production. Carlos Castillo made sure the audiences saw how funny Rick thought he
was, even if that wasn’t always the case. On the same note, Beatrice didn’t need
an imagined character to portray how crazy she was – Michiko brought smiles to
every member of the audience with her fantastic line delivery and body language.
The production of “Figments” was an impressive feat by Albert Einstein High
School, and the overall design of the set was an innovative idea even though it
appeared hastily completed. The publicity team created an impressive array of
advertisements in social media and in the school. The costume team created great
costumes for the figments in Rick’s murder mystery, as well as ensuring that the
doubles all appeared exactly the same as their real life counterparts.
Figments earned it role as a humorous comedy that kept the audience glued to the
play. While they struggled with parts of their production and standing out, they
had an exemplary performance at it’s core that is sure to entertain.
by Liam Darroch of Chantilly High School
-------------------------------------------------When it comes to growing up, you have to URN your freedom. Making your greatest
imaginations become reality takes courage; especially when you have an overly
attached mother! The difficult path of maturity was played out hysterically in
Albert Einstein High School’s production of Figments.
Written by Billy St. John in 1995, this modern-day show is centered on a stumped
playwright, Rick Jacobs, who is working through his murder mystery. When Loni,
his neighbor and secret crush, arrives they discuss her new boyfriend Matt.
Despite his external restraint, Rick envisions his ideal conversation, in which
his alter ego sweeps Loni off her feet. Soon enough, the root of Rick’s female
problems is revealed: his overbearingly involved mother. Throughout the show the
audience witnesses reality paralleled with Rick’s overactive imagination,
including his deceased father, who now travels in mama’s purse, trapped in an
urn.
This production was empowered by the collaboration of the performers. Producing
accurate, yet humorous twins within Rick’s reality and thoughts is a difficult
task, but the cast and crew executed it brilliantly. While establishing the match
of people through costumes and character traits, the distinction between the two
worlds played out clearly. Through exaggerated movement, vocal choices, and
emotional parallel, each character doubled in intensity and humor.
The role of Rick needed a highly equipped performer. Marc Cioffi performed this
role fittingly, creating a character just awkward enough to fulfill the dynamic
part. His caring tormentor, Beatrice “Mama” Jacobs, was played expertly by
Michiko Feehan. She was, without a doubt, the most memorable and dynamic
character on the stage. Her character choices, such as small, consistent habits,
an amusing walk, and a perfectly annoying accent made her character
unforgettable.
While Rick’s mama drama plays out, his internal monologue occasionally focuses on
his hilarious mystery troupe, made up of Veronica (Elizabeth Lambert), David
(Jordan Hill), Winston (Zachary Norris), and Louise (Nara Manzella). This group
proved their versatility by reenacting Rick’s scene in several different styles,
including mama’s version, drunken, hung over, and overly dramatic. Their
enthusiasm and energy had the audience in an uproar. Of course, there was also
the undeniable chemistry between Rick 2 and Loni 2, who bounded through Rick’s
imagination throughout the show. These two ostentatious parts were played by
Carlos Castillo and Adeline McCaul. While some characters lacked chemistry, these
two radiated it! They captured the audience’s attention while running around the
set, occasionally half-naked, creating a blur of mutual attraction.
This show required several sound effects, as well as different songs to play
while Rick’s murder mystery played out in different genres. Spencer Cronin chose
excellent music to accompany these scenes, and had reliable cues throughout the
entire performance. Though the volume on some effects appeared to be
unrealistically loud, on others it worked very well, such as the telephone
ringing. When the phone went off Rick was extremely hung over and the piercingly
high tones conveyed how sensitive he was to the sound in that moment.
The cast and crew of Albert Einstien High School’s production, Figments, created
a hilarious show for their audiences. Whether in Rick’s bizarre reality, absurd
imagination, or both, the show possessed an unrelenting energy and enthusiasm.
This performance was truly an escapade in both growth and thought- one that will
not be easily forgotten!
by Mia Rickenback of Chantilly High School
-------------------------------------------------Imagine that your life was overrun by images in your head; well for some people
that is true, but just try to imagine. This situation is brought to life by the
wonderful production of Figments performed Albert Einstein High School.
Rick Jacobs is a playwright and like all writers he has writers block. The only
types of plays he likes to write are mysteries. He keeps imagining one scene in
his play but he just can’t seem to finish it because his personal life is always
in the way. His love life is in shambles because of one thing, his mother. Rick’s
mom is the source of all of his problems. He tries to imagine situations where he
can outsmart her but that never helps him out. His play goes through different
stages, depending on what his situation is. The only way to make his play perfect
is to make peace with his mom and get the girl of his dreams. Fortunately with
the help of his figments, he is able to do this.
Marc Cioffi (Rick) does a wonderful job as the narrator for this often confusing
play. He is the one guy the audience can trust because he is the only normal one
in the show. The true star of the show was Michiko Feehan (Beatrice). Every time
she was onstage, the audience was immediately hooked. She did a great job of
having the physicality of an old woman, and she switched from a strict mother to
an earnest one like a pro.
Carlos Castillo (Rick 2) played a great foil to the real life Rick. He was very
spontaneous and outgoing throughout the play. He had great chemistry with Adeline
McCaul (Loni 2). They were running around the stage with so much energy.
This is one of those plays where it is obvious that the cast is having one with
each other. They all worked together so well and there were barley any mistakes.
The murder story figments made each run-through of the scene different and it was
spectacular each time. It was nice seeing a high school performance where it is
apparent that everyone cares about what they do. There was no breaking of
character and if something went wrong they were great at improvising to keep the
scene going.
The technical elements were as great as the play. It was impressive to see that
most of the technical aspects of the performance were done by the students. The
sound was put in the perfect places and the lighting was great. There were only
some points where the music was a little too loud but the actors were great at
projecting without microphones.
Albert Einstein High School’s production of Figments was spectacular. The actors
had great chemistry together that brought the play to life.
by Ryan Fields of George Mason High School
-------------------------------------------------I did not know what to expect when I sat down to see Figments at Albert Einstein
High School, but when the red curtains on the stage parted, dreamy, film-noirlike music filled the air, and a young woman in a trench coat ran onstage,
screaming, “He’s after me! Oh God, he’s after me!” In the first few minutes of
the show, three more characters appeared and acted out a high dramatic murder
scene. I was all prepared for a cheesy, 1950s murder-mystery, when there was a
knock onstage, all the characters disappeared, and the story began to revolve
around a young man in sweatpants.
Figments is an unusual comedy about a playwright, Rick Jacobs, trying to sort out
his life while characters from the play he is writing and alternate versions of
people in his life crowd his mind. Marc Cioffi, who played Rick, spent a solid
ninety percent of the play onstage and never let his energy slip. Equally as
impressive was Michiko Feehan, who played Rick’s eccentric mother. Feehan’s
character was clearly defined, right from the beginning of the time she stepped
onstage, and she never missed a beat, leaving the audience howling with laughter
after every line.
In Rick’s imagination, there was an alternate version of himself and his neighbor
Loni, who he is in love with in the story. These two were played by Carlos
Castillo and Adeline McCaul. Both seemed to have incredible stamina, coming
onstage cool and collected despite the fact that they changed costumes for almost
every scene they were in. They also had wonderful chemistry and kept up their
playful demeanor throughout the show.
Elizabeth Lambert played Veronica, the young woman in the trench coat who began
the show. She and the other characters in Rick’s play repeated the same scene
over and over again, but changed their attitude to reflect Rick’s mood each time.
Lambert did a wonderful job with each adjustment, as did Jordan Hill. He played
David, whose only job was to fall out of Rick’s closet, scream “Veronica!” and
die. However, Hill did a fantastic job and with each change in tone made his fall
more and more memorable. The physicality he created for his character stood out
and left the audience in hysterics.
As for design elements, the set had fully functional doors and cupboards through
which character entered and exited. The lighting and music changed each time the
mystery sequence began again. No cues were ever missed and, as I mentioned
before, the number of costume changes never threw any of the actors onstage. All
in all, though I did not know what to expect from Figments, I left with a smile
on my face. It was a delightful play and a great way to spend a Saturday night.
by Sophie DeLeo of George Mason High School
-------------------------------------------------Usually someone hearing voices would be a cause of concern but the figments of
Rick’s imagination in Albert Einstein’s High Schools “Figments” proved to be
comical characters that keep the laughs coming.
Billy St. John’s “Figments” is a fairly recent play, published in 1995. The
play, set in the present, follows a young playwright named Rick as he struggles
to overcome writers block, Profess his love to the girl of his dreams, and stand
up to his good intentioned but over bearing mother. As Rick attempts to deal with
all of this, his imagination create figment-exaggerated versions of all the
characters along with imaginary characters portraying his play. Through a series
of hilarious encounters Rick eventually resolves all his problems.
“Figments” was very much an ensemble play and the large cast worked well
together, especially in scenes where all fourteen actors were on stage at once it
was rarely overpowering. There was also the added layer of half the cast being
in a separate imagined reality and although actors dressed the same as there
figment doppelgangers it is a credit to the actors that it was never confusing
what was happening or who was who. The ensemble as a whole also handled the
semi-frequent use of profane language appropriately, the audience was never
jarred by it, but it served its comedic purpose. On a similar track some actors
had to deal with being inebriated and despite the necessary slurred and delayed
speech patterns their diction remained clear.
Many of the characters had to deal with stereotypes and they were for the most
part handled appropriately though there were a few points some actors did flirt
with the line of being offensive. Mama (Michiko Feehan) portrayed elderly and
Yiddish comically but didn’t over do the stereotype and was still believable in
the role; in contrast the film noir type characters (Elizabeth Lambert, Jordan
Hill, Zachary Norris, Nora Manzella) in the ensemble played their characters
comically over the top. Both cases were appropriate for the characters and
prompted frequent audience laughter and reaction. Pop (Noah Habenstreit) had to
change into a “black man” and the character change involved more expressiveness
in his face and a deepening of his voice that got rolls of laughter from the
audience though it leaned toward stereotypical. But this left no black mark on
his performance, which had been a source of dry humor throughout the play that
consistently, humored the audience.
Much of the Technical aspects of this show were subtle. For example the make-up
for the figments was heavier than the real characters. The sound que’s were
frequently on time for instance during the opening scene of act two many of the
characters had a hangover the phone rang unexpectedly and at a loud decibel to
reflect how someone hung-over would hear it. The ring came in at the proper time
so there wasn’t a pause on stage, similarly when veronica demanded the
underscoring music turn off in the same scene it immediately cut off. Also in
act two there was a fight scene that called for the earn to become a weapon and
the crew acquired a break away earn which shattered upon impact leaving a cloud
of “ashes” behind. The technical aspects ran smoothly enough that they were
hardly noticeable.
The actors and techs both brought a commitment to the show that resulted in a
mostly smooth show that was successful in entertaining and maintaining audience
interest. Einstein had a well-done production of a little known show that had a
reception of loud applause that wasn’t a figment of the imagination.
by Allisha Edwards of Hayfield Secondary School
-------------------------------------------------Rick Jacobs has a big problem. He can’t seem to finish writing his play, can’t
get the girl of his dreams and can’t keep his imagination from running wild. And
it’s all because of one person: his mother. The cast and crew of Albert Einstein
High School delivered a highly entertaining and comical performance of the
humorous comedy, Figments.
Figments was published in 1995 and written by Billy St. John. Figments follows
the life and times of Rick Jacobs, a writer who can’t seem to control his life
because his mother, Beatrice, controls it for him. As he seeks independence from
his mother, Rick’s figments of his imagination try to guide Rick into the arms of
the girl he loves, Loni.
Each actor on stage presented themselves with distinctive and fun
characterization. Marc Cioffi played the average and confused Rick Jacobs
pleasantly as he never failed to maintain character. Especially with the other
over-the-top characters on stage, Cioffi excelled at created a charming character
and personality without ever having to become too obnoxious or too dull to be
enjoyable to watch. Michiko Feehan delivered her role as Beatrice “Mama” Jacobs
splendidly with her motherly nature and bold personality as she interacted with
her son. The chemistry between Cioffi and Feehan was very believable and
enjoyable to watch when both actors chastise yet care for each other throughout
the show.
The figments of Rick’s imagination performed with enthusiasm and with lively
attitudes that never ceased throughout the production. Carlos Castillo played as
Ricky’s flamboyant and charming alter ego who would mock yet help Rick make
decisions on whether to tell Loni, his crush, that he loves her. The figments of
the starring roles in Rick’s unfinished play worked extremely well together as
they constantly were filling the stage with energy and laughable moments. Jordan
Hill played David, a man who was shot dead, with an amusing attitude that kept
the audience laughing. The play figments showcased their versatility of
characterization as they reenacted Rick’s imaginative action scenes multiple
times with different scenarios. Noah Habenstreit portrayed the role of Rick
Jacob’s cremated father who constantly obtained laughs from the audience with his
witty personality and with his presence of actually appearing as an urn on stage.
Lily Habenstreit, who played the role of Loni, and Adeline McCaul, who played
Loni’s alter ego in Rick’s mind, performed their roles with a natural and subtle
personality. David Toro and Daniel Zucker performed the roles of the arrogant
Matt and his alter ego with strong and bold physicality.
The technical aspects flowed sufficiently in the production. Although the set was
a bit bare and had visible imparities on the walls, the usage of the entire set
was interesting and worked well for the actors. The many doorways and entrances
lead to fun, comical appearances and exits. The sound cues were mostly on time
and the music used throughout the show was never too distracting and helped
cement the atmosphere for each scene.
The cast and crew at Albert Einstein High School produced non-stop laughs from
the audience with their never-ending fun energy in their delightful and humorous
production of Figments.
by Cindy Funes of Hayfield Secondary School
-------------------------------------------------A loving mother, an urn, doubles, and red lighting, Albert Einstein’s production
of Figments by Billy St. John tells the humorous story of writer Rick Jacobs and
his comical figments.
Figments, created in the 1990s, is about a young, New York writer named Rick
Jacobs who suffers from writer’s block. Throughout the story, Rick tries to
overcome his writer’s block while also dealing with his overly doting mother, his
lack of confidence to profess his love for Loni, his neighbor, and his figments,
which are doubles of every character except for the Mystery Figments, who are
part of the murder mystery story Rick is working on.
Albert Einstein’s talented actors and actresses brought these nutty and comical
characters to life. Senior, Michiko Feehan, as Beatrice “Mama” Jacobs was quite
remarkable. Her elderly voice, physicality, and chemistry with son Rick Jacobs
played by senior Marc Cioffi is what made this character lovable and believable.
Junior, Carlos Castillo as Rick 2 and sophomore Adeline McCaul as Loni 2 always
had great energy and the chemistry between the characters amplified the love that
was spoken between the real Rick and Loni and figment Rick and Loni. A spot goes
to Marc Cioffi who was on stage the entire time, always had energy, and stayed in
his character throughout the show. Another spot goes to senior Noah Habenstreit
as Pop, whose comedic lines always had the audience laughing. Lastly, a spot goes
to both Rick Jacobs played by Marc Cioffi and Rick 2 played by Carlos Castillo
for delivering their lines in unison and mirroring each other’s physicality just
as a figment would.
Although the music was sometimes too low, the technical aspects were quite
marvelous. One scene, which truly stood out above all others, was the hangover
scene, which has the sound effect of a telephone ringing. The sound effect was
quite loud but it created the effect as if we, the audience, were one of the
figments with a hangover. The red lighting and film noir theme song was a
marvelous way to differentiate between Rick’s world and his story world and was
executed lovely and on time.
Albert Einstein’s production of Figments was enjoyable and fun because of the
actor’s and actresses’ energy and chemistry between one another; there was never
a dull moment.
by Kimbery Fonseca of Hayfield Secondary School
-------------------------------------------------“They’re not real people, Mama; they’re just figments of my imagination,” says
the young writer who is the centrifugal, I mean the central focus in Einstein
Bagels, I mean in Albert Einstein High School’s rendition of the play Fettuccini,
I mean Figments. I must apologize for my figments; they’re terrible writers early
in the morning, and when you’ve got writer’s block they drive you insane, as the
main character discovered in Einstein High’s lively performance of this ingenious
comedy written by Billy St. John.
His figments certainly seemed like real people to those of us in the audience,
and also to their creator, Rick Jacobs (Marc Cioffi), whose characters come to
life before his eyes and criticize his play-writing. They give him no help with
his terrible case of writer’s block, which he knows the only way to cure is to
close the curtain on his real-life drama. Rick is in love with his friend and
neighbor Loni Wagner (Lily Habenstreit), but she has a boyfriend and Rick knows
he could never have her, or any woman for that matter, because of his mother
(Michiko Feehan) and her defensive attitude towards his love interests. Rick also
conjures up different versions of the characters in his life’s play, including a
Loni 2 (Adeline McCaul) who says and does everything that Rick wishes she would,
and a Rick 2 (Carlos Castillo) who is everything that Rick wishes he could be.
Michiko Feehan played the hilarious mama, Beatrice Jacobs, with expert skill and
believable physicality. She delivered the simple-minded lines in a way that at
some times contributed to the comic aspect of the character, and at others
appealed to the emotional side. Feehan’s sweet old lady tone of voice and
physical quirks showed the quaint, open character of Beatrice, who only loved her
son and wanted the best for him.
Carlos Castillo played his role of Rick 2 with hilarity and confidence; his large
stage presence displayed the contradictions with the more introverted character
of the real Rick. Rick 2 said everything out loud that Rick could only say in his
head, and Castillo delivered the bluntest lines with no reserve, and contributed
to the hilarity of the show.
The characters in Rick’s play, the Mystery Figments, fit together as an ensemble
and used the one scene to their advantage, clearly changing it depending on the
writer’s mood in a way that was interesting and entertaining. Jordan Hill gave
the figment David his own individuality and stood out despite having fewer lines
than the other characters. Leah Martin-Rosenthal and the Einstein Makeup Crew
made an ingenious choice when they made the Mystery Figments’ makeup very bright
and exaggerated, to coincide with the fact that they were acting out an overdramatic scene on a stage in Rick’s mind.
From its most ridiculous to its most touching economical, I mean emotional
moments, Albert Einstein High School’s production of St. Joseph’s, I mean St.
John’s Figments was well performed and creative. My figments are being very loud
and distracting right now; they think I’m a terrible excuse for a writer. Albert
Einstein High School used the clever originality of the story Figments and gave a
wonderful performance.
by Allison Fantz of Lee High School
--------------------------------------------------
Writing a play can be very difficult. Unfortunately, this has been far too true
for writer Rick Jacobs, who relies on his imagination to keep the money flowing
in. Yet, no matter how hard he tries, he keeps getting interrupted by his nosy
mother, the girl of his dreams’s muscular date, and even the ridiculous products
of his own thoughts. How is he supposed to get this play written if his own
characters are sick of him? Albert Einstein High School displayed his struggles
in their comical production of Figments.
Figments is a play written by Billy St. John that follows the trials and
tribulations of murder mystery playwright Rick Jacobs. While Rick tries to
conquer his fears of confessing his love for the girl next door and cutting loose
from his mother’s apron strings, his overactive imagination conjures up a variety
of doubles to express his inner feelings. Throw the exasperated characters of his
next play into the crazy bunch of figments, and Rick is going to be in for a
rough couple of days.
The talented cast of characters worked together to create a hilarious play,
despite some slow pacing issues. In contrast to some cast members, Rick (Marc
Cioffi) possessed incredible projection and articulation that resounded through
the large space. Cioffi also worked well with his fabricated double Rick 2,
played with unabashed enthusiasm by Carlos Castillo, who had no reserve even on
the craziest moments of his character and threw himself into the show with
refreshing energy. Another clear standout was Rick’s “Mama” (Michiko Feehan)
whose witty one liners and priceless expressions brought the audience to
hysterics. Feehan truly embodied her character with repeated habits, such as
flicking someone’s nose, appearing throughout the duration of the play.
Even in their smaller parts, Rick’s characters worked masterfully as a group to
create memorable and uproarious moments in the many different variations of their
scene. David, played by Jordan Hill, did remarkably well, staying in character
even when he was not in the spotlight. One particularly strong moment was during
the empowered version of the scene where Hill threw himself all over the room
before finally returning to his spot to die as he was supposed to. Veronica, the
main character of Rick’s play portrayed by Elizabeth Lambert, also committed
herself to the role, cycling through the different versions with incredible
skill.
Despite a few issues with detail, the tech was otherwise masterfully executed and
perfectly suited to the show. The consistent lighting change for when Rick was
working on his play served to separate the imagined story from the real world.
This worked in conjunction with the music that creatively distinguished different
versions of the scene with appropriate and recognizable tunes. The set was also
incredibly versatile, with three entrances, several levels, and a closet that the
actors could move in and out of without being seen. The visible hallways were
also filled in with furniture to make the stage seem more like an actual
apartment.
Despite troubling him for most of the play, Rick finally gets his thoughts in
order- literally. He’s gotten himself something better than anything he could
dream up in his head. Albert Einstein High School brought an amazing play to life
with effective tech and jocular acting in their impressive production of
Figments.
by Emma Paquette of McLean High School
-------------------------------------------------How does the saying go? Once a slob, always a slob. Or was it ashes to ashes?
Either way, the Jacobs family lives up to both as struggling playwright Rick
Jacobs uses the figments of his imagination to get him through a complicated
romantic entanglement and his mother’s smothering affection. On the Albert
Einstein High School stage, hangovers, guns, and a touch of motherly care
transport the audience to Rick’s New York apartment and into a riotous rendition
of Figments.
An English teacher turned community theatre director, Billy St. John’s work has
been featured on school and community stages across the country. Other than
Figments, Billy St. John has written other murder mystery comedies such as
Thirteen Past Midnight and Southern Fried Murder. Detailing Rick Jacob’s attempts
to overcome a massive case of writer’s block, Figments is a cleverly scripted
farce that explores the outcomes of speaking the truth, seizing the moment, and
the power of the imagination.
As the playwright helplessly in love with his neighbor but squirming under his
mother’s dictatorship, Marc Cioffi gives Rick Jacobs splendid physicality and
commits fully to his role. Cioffi specifically shows excellent chemistry with his
overbearing mother Beatrice and the imaginary double of himself. Keeping the
audience doubled over in their seats from the hysterical delivery of her lines,
Michiko Feehan fantastically portrays Mama Jacobs through consistent physicality
and a superb grasp of her character’s role in the farce. Terrifically using
gestures and facial expressions to become the extension of Rick’s emotions,
Carlos Castillo as the imaginary Rick Jacobs shows particularly great chemistry
with fictional Loni (Adeline McCaul) and displays unremitting energy and comedic
skill.
As an ensemble, the four actors playing the characters in the opening scene of
Rick’s latest murder mystery exhibit fantastic chemistry with each other while
maintaining consistent energy through the uproarious repetitions of the scene.
Elizabeth Lambert as Veronica, the
sensationally uses physicality and
audience dissolving into laughter.
Jordan Hill as David, the murdered
contributes to every scene through
victim caught between a love affair and a gun,
over-the-top facial expressions to send the
Just as hilarious and devoted to his role,
lover who dies in Veronica’s arms, aptly
comical line delivery and notable enthusiasm.
In terms of the technical aspects, the crew displays quality choices to provide a
fitting atmosphere for the show. The sound crew speedily responds to cues and
plays superb music choices that add to scene moods. Just as responsive, the
lighting crew use red tinges to effectively give Rick’s dream sequences a
separate atmosphere from real life. The costume crew excellently matches the
figments’ outfits to their counterparts in real life and supplies numerous and
rapid costume changes without any difficulties. The props crew provides a
powerful ending to the climax of the play when an urn is smashed and urn pieces
and ashes fly everywhere without hurting any of the actors.
Effectively meeting the skills to successfully deliver such a quick-witted
comedy, the cast and crew at Albert Einstein High School are anything but
inadequate. Through admirable comedic timing, commitment to character, and
attention to technical detail, the audience is compellingly immersed into Billy
St. John’s first-rate farce.
by Isabel Zapata of McLean High School
-------------------------------------------------Rick’s imagination is out of control. With an overbearing mother, and a nonexistent love life, and an incurable case of writers block, Rick attempts to sort
through his problems by imagining wonderfully ridiculous scenes between the
figments of his imagination. This hysterical turn of events unfolds in Albert
Einstein High School’s masterful production of “Figments.”
In this comedy by Billy St. John, the protagonist’s mother Beatrice is constantly
prying into Rick’s life and does not understand social norms. Rick is also faced
with heartache for his neighbor Loni, who is dating a muscle-building brute. As
Rick deals with these issues, four characters from a play Rick is struggling to
write play a scene over and over altering their acting choices based on Rick’s
mood. Additionally, as Rick interacts with people in his life, imagined versions
of people Rick is close to appear. In a wonderfully element of comedy, Rick even
imagines a figment of his deceased father clad in a life-sized urn. The show’s
creative and complex concept is continually surprising constantly hilarious,
brimming with irony, satire, and raw wit.
Masterfully portraying Rick, Marc Cioffi displayed tremendous range and comedic
dexterity, especially in his quick sarcastic quips. Though his chemistry with the
other actors at times fell short, his scenes with his mother (Michiko Feehan)
were always natural. As she asked embarrassing questions about his love life, his
perfectly timed groans of annoyance and shrugged shoulders set off eruptions of
laughter. But Feehan earned her own spotlight with her fantastically droll
characterization. She fully embodied the oddball grandmother figure; from her
hunched “little-old-lady” stature to her matter-of-fact delivery of the most
absurd lines, every moment she was onstage was pure brilliance.
The supporting cast was also studded with standout performers. Though the timing
of larger group scenes seemed to drag at times, the ensemble of characters from
Rick’s play embraced the comedy of their roles and commendably transformed their
performances each time their scene was repeated. The scene in which Rick’s
drunkenness causes these figments to be drunk was successfully humorous and overthe-top as the four characters stumbled about the stage, slurring their words
with glee. In particular, the character David (Jordan Hill), who is shot and dies
after only one line in the scene, was a pleasure to watch with his exaggerated
facials and fearless fall to death. Rick’s figment of his Father (Noah
Habenstreit), dressed in a giant metallic urn, was also an audience favorite. His
deadpan comic delivery as well as his keen advice was delivered with notable
presence.
The technical elements contributed to a clean and cohesive production. The set
design allowed the actors to enter from multiethnic entrances, enabling diverse
and fresh staging. Additionally, the sound crew demonstrated careful planning and
precision in their work, employing sound effects to enhance the realism of the
show. From the amplified sound if a phone ringing when Rick is hungover to the
crunching of broken plates in the kitchen, the attention to detail was
impeccable. The lighting was equally well executed: the use of color in the
scenes Rick imagined helped to clarify the context.
In high form, Albert Einstein High School's sidesplitting production of
"figments" captivates the audience with the possibilities of imagination.
by Marielle Burt of McLean High School
-------------------------------------------------A woman rushes into the room, panting with exertion. She runs to the phone, finds
it dead and runs to the closet for a gun, only to find her dying lover inside,
who says her name and then collapses at her feet. Thus begins the first of many
figments in a play by the same name, by Billy St. John.
In this theatrical romp, through a playwrights head, we are introduced to one
Rick Jacobs, played by Marc Cioffi. We follow him as he tries to break down his
writers block, rid his apartment of his ever present mother, played by Michiko
Feehan, and find true love. In addition to all this, he encounters many figments
of people in the real world, these figments are hilarious exaggerations of his
family and friends. In the end it all works out for the best, as Ricks mother
accepts his need for love and his writers block is broken down with the help from
his characters- a different set of figments all together.
Ricks Mother, Beatrice(Feehan), is far and away the most entertaining character
to watch. She has a strong stage presence and is able to make the audience
understand what she is saying despite having an old lady voice and the lack of
mics. She also obviously knows her character well, as she displays character
quirks, such as tapping peoples noses. Other strong characters can be found in
the the characters of Rick 2 (Carlos Castillo) and Loni 2 (Adeline McCaul),
figment versions of Rick and his love interest. The two's comic timing was good
and they played well off of each other.
On the technical side of the production, Amanda Gamage, made several lighting
decisions that served to enhance the show. For example, the lighting changed,
every time that Rick was going over his play, and his characters- the mystery
figments- would appear. In addition to lighting, deliberate choices were
obviously made by the sound department, such as a scene where Rick is hungover
and the phone rings very loudly, so that the audience experiences it the same way
Rick did.
All in all the production featured some superb acting and good technical
decisions. The figments of the show will certainly continue on in the audiences
mind for a least a little while.
by Copeland Smith of Northwood High School
-------------------------------------------------“Figments” by Billy St. John, is a play most have probably never heard of, but it
is a spectacularly funny show and well worth the time of anyone who is on the
fence about seeing it. Originally written in 1995, this modern comedy is rarely
performed, which really is a shame.
The play focuses on playwright Rick Jacobs as he attempts to tackle his writer’s
block, get his mother out of his hair, and make the girl of his dreams, Loni,
fall in love with him. Rick’s overactive imagination creates a cast of character
based on the people he interacts with, and these figments are a fantastic device
for getting inside Rick’s head and understanding his true feelings. Rick
eventually overcomes all his obstacles, crashing through his writer’s block and
winning Loni’s heart.
Beatrice “Mama” Jacobs (Michiko Feehan) was absolutely hilarious. Her thick
Brooklyn accent was funny, and she maintained it throughout the show, and her
physicality was on point.
The character of Pop (Noah Habenstreit) was great fun to watch in his cumbersome
urn costume. His quick quips and word play were very funny. His accent matched up
well with Mama’s accent, and he maintained it throughout the show. His ending bit
of trying to exit through the door in his awkward costume and then ultimately
just walking off stage was an audience favorite.
Rick (Marc Cioffi) and his figment, Rick 2 (Carlos Castillo), have excellent
chemistry together. The points in the show where they spoke or performed actions
in unison were well-executed and effective. Rick played his part believably, and
the audience felt genuine sympathy for him in all the uncomfortable situations he
was placed in. We feel his pain in trying to get his mother out of his life
without hurting her feelings, an experience most of the teenagers in the audience
could relate to.
The characters in Rick’s play worked well together and adapted nicely to everchanging moods of Rick. Their drunken scene was very funny, and their imitation
Rocky scene was over the top energetic and fun to watch. Veronica (Elizabeth
Lambert), David (Jordan Hill), Winston (Zachary Norris) and Louise (Nora
Manzella) were all understandable from the audience. David in particular really
made himself present, even as a corpse, and his falls was excellently done.
The fight scene at the end of the play between Rick and Loni’s ex-boyfriend, Matt
(David Toro) and Rick 2 and Matt 2 (Daniel Zucker) was brilliantly executed, and
the smashing of Pop’s urn over Matt’s head was an entertaining climax to the
fight.
Some points in the play were not as energetic as others, and some performers were
difficult to understand. The show lacked energy somewhat in the beginning, but it
picked up quickly and more than made up for any lapses in energy it might have
had earlier. Overall, the cast was energetic and the play was enjoyable.
by Leslie Reiffen of Northwood High School
-------------------------------------------------Ever feel like your imagination is taking over your life? Well in Albert
Einsteins production of Figments by Billy St. John, we get a look into the
subconscious of mystery playwright Rick Jacobs whose imagination is trying to
guide him through his tough choices. Ricks is faced with terrible writers block
but it’s not the only block in his life, with a controlling mother and a
seemingly unattainable girl the audience is left with a hilarious, and witty
show.
With Mystery figments running around the lighting crew did a good job helping
the audience differentiate between reality and imagination with simple lighting
changes. The mystery figments themselves David(Jordan Hill),Louise(Nora
Manzella), Veronica(Elizabeth Lambert) and Winston(Zachary Noris), were able to
portray all of Ricks different feelings without trouble. And had a high level of
energy throughout the show. The actors versatility was done in a comedic way and
since the mystery scene is repeated throughout the show the actors changes and
different spins on it was much appreciated and well thought out.
The costuming was wonderfully done with all of the actors and their “doubles”
wearing matching clothes. When they weren’t matching the audience was able to
tell that the costuming choice was different to better emphasize what the
character was feeling for example when Rick 2 (Carlos Castillo) and Loni 2
(Adeline McCaul) came out in a young boy costume complete with hat and lollipop
and a green nightgown, respectively, the audience was still able to tell why they
chose those costumes.The mystery figments were also well dressed with appropriate
mystery wardrobe including a large blood stain for the corpse. Their makeup was
done heavier to match their high levels of energy.While being dead and in an urn
Pop(Noah Habenstreit) was able to deliver lines in a comedic way giving the
character some life. With his student made costume urn he was able to present
without much movement.
This two hour show made the audience laugh with witty lines delivered quickly and
without stumbling. With some mild language the show was very relatable and
overall pleasing.
by Samantha Buckley of Northwood High School
-------------------------------------------------Albert Einstein High School’s production of Figments was a believable and well
done play that captivated the audience’s attention throughout both of its acts.
Figments is very intense but sometimes puzzling play. Playwright, Rick Jacobs, is
struggling with severe writers’ block. Figments of his imagination come to life
on the stage as his own personal frustrations effect those of the actors in the
play that he is attempting to write. Rick is forced to get out of his comfort
zone by following the advice of his own figment, Rick 2, when he recommends for
Rick to declare his feelings for “the girl next door” who live upstairs, Loni.
However, the only way for Rick to truly have a chance with the women that he
loves is to finally stand up to his mother.
Senior Marc Cioffi played a stellar Rick Jacobs in Figments. Cioffi was onstage
for the entirety of the show, and never once lacked energy in his portrayal of
the struggling playwright. There was a scene where Jacobs quite quickly became
very inebriated. Jacobs was comical, believable, and had a great balance in his
acting as to ensure that he was never inappropriate or irritating with his
behavior. Another great senior, Michiko Feehan did a wonderful and very
believable job playing the overbearing Beatrice “Mama” Jacobs. Feehan had a great
character voice that was kept for the ENTIRE SHOW (which is very impressive in a
high school show).
Rick 2 played by Carlos Castillo and Loni 2 played by Adeline McCaul had great
comical chemistry including hilarious kissing scenes. Castillo was the most
talented especially when he changed pitch in delivery of his comical lines.
McCaul had a lot of fun with her character, and she provided great contrast from
Loni to Loni 2. The four figments (Elizabeth Lambert, Jordan Hill, Zachary Norris
and Nora Manzella) made sure that no two scenes were the same. Although all four
were good, Hill and Norris stood out the most for their comedy and energy.
The sound in Figments was quite impressive. The music played during scenes was
really notable (a personal favorite was the use of Rocky music). Also, the
costumes were very cool because the figments were wearing the same clothes as
their real life person.
All in all, Figments at Albert Einstein was funny, witty, and lively from
beginning to end.
by Jack Gereski of South County High School
-------------------------------------------------The audience lies in
enters the stage and
stupor. What follows
and so begins Albert
wait as the lights go up and a young man, clad in pajamas,
plops down on the couch, only to immediately drift into a
is a tangle of parallels, some realistic and some imaginary—
Einstein’s farcical show Figments.
Written by Billy St. John in 1995, Figments is a madcap comedy about a playwright
living in New York named Rick, who must figure out how to overcome his avid
writer’s block, win over the girl of his dreams (his neighbor and best friend,
Loni), and fight off his overbearing mother. But he’s not completely left to his
own devices—he relies on the aid of the figments of his imagination to help him,
who are analogous not only to the people in his life, but also to Rick himself.
While a scene plays out in real life, the figments simultaneously portray the
scene the way Rick imagines it in his mind.
Albert Einstein’s Figments was a smart selection for a drama department featuring
four pairs of actors who stunningly paralleled one another in looks, movement,
and emotion. A strength of the production was the physicality of the actors, who
made use of the large space without hesitation. Though the line recovery could
have been cleaner in some of the more confusing scenes, the show’s three main
ensembles played well off each other and the energy picked up as the show went
on.
A few cast members were clear standouts due to their believable presence and
ability to navigate a range of emotions in a comedic way. Rick (Marc Cioffi) and
Rick 2 (Carlos Castillo) effectively negotiated one character portrayed both
realistically and imaginatively, with lines delivered perfectly in unison and
successful banter with other cast members. Beatrice “Mama” Jacobs (Michiko
Feehan) became the unintentional antagonist through well-timed comedic delivery
and inflection.
One of the dazzling elements of the show was the mystery ensemble, characters
inside Rick’s live-action murder mystery play who suffered alongside Rick from
his writer’s block. The play changed along with Rick’s mood and physical state,
and all four actors transitioned smoothly, convincingly performing the same scene
drunk, hung over, as a Rocky-inspired adaptation, and more. Veronica (Elizabeth
Lambert) showed clear signs of character development through theatrical
tendencies and a flawless transformation from a seemingly static character to a
dynamic, polished one.
Technical elements such as sound (Spencer Cronin, Pauline McMurray, Aysia Cherry,
Devon Rappaport) contributed to the slapstick nature of the show, with perfectly
timed gunshots and actor-induced comic gags. In addition, the lighting (Amanda
Jakovii Gamage) provided clear transitions between parallels through intricate
design and implementation.
Overall, Albert Einstein’s Figments set the stage alight with potent physicality
and use of space, resulting in a successfully comedic production.
by Katelyn Sparks of South County High School
-------------------------------------------------Have you ever experienced writer’s block? The struggles of unblocking writer’s
block can be very stressful, especially when it’s your mother who is doing most
of the blocking. Albert Einstein High School showed us how using your imagination
can help one overcome writer’s block in Figments by Billy St. John.
Mystery playwright, Rick Jacobs, struggles with writing his most recent play due
to his personal issues. With the audience seeing doubles, Rick Jacobs (Marc
Cioffi) imagines every scenario with figments from his imagination, including one
for himself, Rick 2 (Carlos Castillo). Rick’s neighbor Loni (Lily Habenstreit),
with who he is helplessly in love with, has her own figment from Rick’s mind
(Adeline McCaul). Loni and Rick’s Mama, Beatrice (Michiko Feehan) are the biggest
factors to Rick’s writer’s block.
Albert Einstein High School’s production of Figments was full of energy from the
cast and laughs from the audience. The doubled cast worked well with each other
to portray the vivid mind of Rick Jacobs. The cast had clear voices even though
no microphones were used, even with different accents and tones every cast member
was heard.
Michiko Feehan’s portrayal of Rick’s Mama was entertaining and enjoyable to watch
as she interacted with Cioffi. They showed great chemistry as a mother and son
which overshadowed other lack of chemistry between characters. Feehan’s motherly
acts, such as cleaning the kitchen and making sure only the right girl ended up
for her son were executed in such a fashion that she really took on the role of
Mama, with a clear and loud tone of voice an elderly woman would have.
Carlos Castillo as Cioffi’s figments were supportive of Cioffi’s decisions,
Castillo had to over-act ever scenario that Cioffi experienced. Castillo showed a
good blend of comedic timing and exaggerated gestures.
The Mystery figments played by Elizabeth Lambert, Jordan Hill, Zachary Norris,
and Nora Manzella reenacted the deep thoughts of Rick, obsessing over Loni,
arguing with Mama, or even getting drunk with a hangover in the morning. The four
actors gave many different takes on the same scene and displayed each take with
clear distinction of what Rick was feeling.
A change in lights brought us from reality into Rick’s mind. The characters in
his head played with the music that Rick imagined. The Sound Crew had a welldesigned system with the actors, especially with the Mystery figments; it stopped
cleanly and was extremely loud during the hangover scene.
With the cast being doubled on stage, it was double the fun to watch. Albert
Einstein High School’s Figments was a high-energy show that unblocked any doubt
that imagination is the key to break a writer’s block.
by Kelsey Davis of South County High School
-------------------------------------------------Rick’s apartment is never dull, whether he’s with the girl of his dreams-with her
boyfriend in tow, his overbearing mother, or the cast of characters in his head.
Laughter and double vision ensue at Albert Einstein High School’s production of
“Figments”.
This comedy, written by Billy St. John, has steadily gained popularity since
being published in 1995. Rick Jacobs (Marc Cioffi) is a playwright with a case of
writer’s block, and his characters are not happy about it. As the stresses of
reality begin to invade fiction, Rick attempts to get his dream girl, Loni (Lily
Habenstreit), to see him as something more than her ‘best friend’ as well as
prevent his mother (Michiko Feehan) from chasing her away.
The entire cast’s enthusiasm and liveliness was contagious throughout the entire
show. From having a hangover to becoming the characters in every Jewish mother’s
perfect film noir, the ensemble expertly bounces between various genres, accents,
and levels of inebriation, all while contributing to this show’s endless funny
banter with a few heartwarming moments.
Marc Cioffi led the cast with the utmost confidence and energy as Rick Jacobs.
All he portrayed a comic character, Cioffi was able to keep his character from
becoming a caricature as well as reign in the outlandish behavior of the other
characters by finding the humor in Rick’s normalcy. Michiko Feehan embodied the
voice and physicality of an old woman and the domineering love that only a mother
could provide. Feehan was able to make the audience laugh as well as provide the
show with a few touching moments as well.
Carlos Castillo took on the role of Rick 2, Rick Jacob’s fantasy self, with no
reservations. Whether whining in a sailor suit or being choked with a noose
Catillo’s expressive physicality and blunt advice was done whole heartedly and
paid off. The actors who portrayed the characters in Rick’s perpetually
unfinished mystery play-Elizabeth Lambert as Veronica, Jordan Hill as David,
Zachary Norris as Winston, and Nora Manzella as Louise-were always entertaining.
They managed to convey various expressions of the writer’s feelings and reflect
reality through subtle and over-the-top changes to the same basic scene each time
they performed it.
The sounds in the show were on point. Sound cues were hit on time and musical
choices emphasized the feelings of the characters and blended together
seamlessly, taking us from a film noir to an old Jewish neighborhood just through
music. Without microphones there were times that the actors were difficult to
hear but the vast majority of the time their projection and articulation made the
sound quality no different than that of a show with mics.
“Figments” kept the audience laughing and was definitely an impressive show that
highlighted each cast members comedic chops.
by Maya Armstrong of South County High School
-------------------------------------------------Many people have wondered what it would be like to have their imagination come to
life- but perhaps it wouldn’t be so great if said imagination back talked and got
the girl first! Such is the case in Albert Einstein High School’s recent
production of Figments.
Figments is one of many full-length plays written by playwright Billy St. John, a
number of which are preformed by students as well as adults. The show is about a
playwright named Rick Jacobs who has two “curses” in his life. Namely, his
writer’s block and his mother. His overactive imagination causes the appearance
of “figments”, both while he is writing and in his real life. The figment
versions of Rick, the girl in the apartment above him that he likes, his mother,
and other characters, say what Rick imagines each person is really saying- or in
his case, what he wants to say. In the end, it is the real Rick who must find a
way to mediate between his mother and his love life.
The two-part ensemble of the titular figments enhanced Albert Einstein High
School’s production. Each over-the-top complement to the real life characters
frequently had the audience hooting. While Act One started with a lack of energy,
the cast had a noticeable pick up after intermission, allowing for a dynamic and
fast-paced second Act.
Marc Cioffi (Rick Jacobs) kept up his own energy for the time he was on stage,
which happened to be almost the entire show. His performance of frustration with
his writer’s block and mother is one that has been seen before, but he managed to
keep the audience engaged, rather than feeling the same frustration. He struck up
an interesting dynamic with his double in Carlos Castillo (Rick 2), who in turn
made an engaging and frequently hilarious duo with Adeline McCaul (Loni 2).
Michiko Feehan (Beatrice “Mama” Jacobs) delighted with her character acting and
comedic timing, to the point where every other one of her lines had a significant
audience reaction, be it laughter or awing. Her character arc from a mother
stifling her son to one allowing him to live his life was a bit delayed, but
ultimately convincing.
For supporting characters, the ensemble of “The Mystery Figments” (Elizabeth
Lambert, Jordan Hill, Zachary Norris, Nora Manzella) stood out. The actors
combined to form the characters in Rick’s new play, a murder mystery about
Veronica (Lambert), who finds her love David (Hill) dead, killed by her ex-lover
and brother-in-law Winston (Norris). Louise (Manzella), Veronica’s sister and
Winston’s wife, joins the group in order to beg her husband not to kill her
sister the same way he did David. While the plot of Rick’s play is intentionally
a typical cliché, the scene of David’s demise was run endlessly with changing
outside influences that caused significant shifts in the characters and the
scene, all of which the actors portrayed with commitment and grace- even when
such grace required falling over a couch.
On the technical side, Amanda Jakovii Gamage’s lights and Leah Martin-Rosenthal’s
makeup were essential in differentiating between the world of the murder mystery
and the world of the play’s reality. While both areas were relatively simple,
they were executed well, with noticeable and appropriate lighting cues and a
consistent level and design of makeup throughout each world.
Albert Einstein High School tackled a relatively new production with much of the
creativity that made the script so fresh. There were some difficulties in the
production, but overall it left you glad that the show was real- not a figment of
your imagination.
by Ruth Scherr of South County High School
-------------------------------------------------Tension builds as a women arrives in an apartment, finding her lover killed, and
she herself getting murdered by the man she once had relations with previously –
all occurring in the plot written by struggling playwright. This then presents
the development of the characters’ progression of Figments, a comedy written by
Billy St. John, performed effortlessly by Albert Einstein High School.
Rick Chambers (Marc Cioffi) is a young, poor, aspiring playwright who has the
plot for a gripping noir-esque, but is suffering a severe case of writer’s block.
It is conflicted with the bitterness of his overprotective mother (Michiko
Feehan), the infatuation of his close friend (Lily Habenstreit), and his
imagination for his situations pan out, each character portraying a unique
parallel in Rick’s mind.
Cioffi was compelling as Rick, with charming charisma and his lost mentality,
garnering a pitiable character. Present onstage for most of the show, Cioffi was
consistent in character, and remained tightly in character. When issues with
staging arose, he was quick to improvise while remaining within the appropriate
inclination of his character. Opposite Cioffi was Feehan’s portrayal of Mama,
placing the audience in stitches with her hysterical mannerisms and unexpected
one-liners. Habenstreit was darling as the girl-next-door love interest, Loni,
sweetly easing the thoughts within Rick.
Subsequently memorable were Rick and Loni’s parallels, both called “2s,” done
animatedly by Carlos Castillo and Adeline McCaul, with Castillo effective as the
wise-guy sidekick as compliment to Rick’s decisions. McCaul, too, was
sufficient, but was shocking with her distinguished presence and absorbing beauty
complimenting Rick 2. Lastly, the four characters in Rick’s play were superb in
playing off each other and often led to great slapstick humor. There initially
were issues in projection, but made up throughout with clear articulation.
The lighting and sound were praiseworthy in the “play” sequences, providing a
beautifully atmospheric tone with the distortion of lights and the use of music
to compliment the characters’ motivations, all in compliment of Rick’s mindset at
each moment. Lastly, the costumes were intriguing as Sehee Curro dethatched what
characters wore based on their place in the real world, or in Rick’s head.
Volume was partially an issue to hear the actors, but they successfully worked
around it to help understand the continuing the plot.
With countless twists using a lively plot, Einstein’s Figments was a show that
awarded genuine bliss and entertainment.
by T.J. Gouterman of South County High School
-------------------------------------------------Doubles of characters, mystery scene sequences, a talking urn…Are these the
products of an overactive imagination? In Albert Einstein High School’s
production of Figments, nothing could be closer to reality.
The modernistic comedy depicts the life of a playwright attempting to put an end
to a serious case of writer’s block. While conjuring up scenes, the protagonist’s
“figments”, the creations of his imagination, come to life and mirror the
characters in reality. With the book by Billy St. John, Figments demonstrates the
struggle of mustering the courage to confront your fears.
Albert Einstein High Schools’ production of Figments embodied the principle of
hard work paying off, as was demonstrated through the performance of the 14 person cast. While certain characters drew more attention, each was aware of
their purpose on the stage and in the production itself.
Rick Jacobs (Marc Cioffi), the struggling playwright, was brought to life through
Cioffi’s excellent portrayal of an imaginative artist in New York. Although his
character was lost at times among the occupied scenes, his constant presence on
stage offered a needed balance to the figments’ exuberant energy.
The figments, Rick 2 (Carlos Castillo) and Loni 2 (Adeline McCaul), were highly
captivating throughout the duration of the production. The duo’s clever character
choices and exuberant energy often stole the scene as realistic foils of the main
characters.
Mama (Michiko Feehan), accomplished the endearing task of playing the typical
Jewish mother. Her New York dialect, although difficult to understand at times,
added to the hilarity of her persona as she admirably maneuvered through the
struggles of her character.
The mystery figment ensemble was a consistent source of laughs as their scenes
repeated frequently throughout the course of the production. Each figment
skillfully adapted to the abrupt shifts in plot, characterized through the
actor’s physical representation offered the audience a greater understanding of
the scene.
The set, comprised of a run-down New York apartment, remained the setting for the
entirety of the production. The set of working doors, including a closet with a
fake wall to allow characters in, was utilized well as the wings of the stage
were used only twice. Although the seaming on the walls was clearly visible, the
bizarre yet enjoyable décor granted a distraction.
The lighting of the production, created by Amanda Jakovii Gamage, highlighted the
shifts in scene perfectly. Props were used appropriately and were fitting for the
script yet often left the audience questioning the motive, such as the torture
board used in the first act.
Sound was an advantageous asset to the production. Elements include the breaking
of glass and the shrill tone of a telephone ringing.
The costumes in the production were fitting for the time period and included
illustrious creations, especially that of the enormous urn. Heavier makeup worn
by the figments provided further clarity to scenes that were disorienting.
Albert Einstein High School’s Figments is an exploration into the depths
of the mind that leaves both audience and cast members saying: “I like it.”
by Erin Dlott of South Lakes High School
-------------------------------------------------Having an overbearing mother is an very relatable problem. However, Rick Jacobs,
in Albert Einstein High School’s production of Figments, deals with this issue in
a very unique way.
Figments, a play by Billy St. John, is the story of a playwright, Rick, living in
contemporary New York. Rick navigates the issues in his life such as writer’s
block, his love life, and an extremely overbearing mother by delving into his own
fantasies, in the form of fictional characters and exaggerated versions of the
people around him. Albert Einstein High School’s production was held together by
several versatile performances, as well as strong technical elements.
Marc Cioffi brought believability and charm to the character of Rick Jacobs.
Cioffi, a senior, kept his energy, volume, and stage presence at the perfect
levels throughout the production, which was very impressive given the sheer
amount of stage time the character is present for.
A particular standout among the talented cast was Michiko Feehan, expertly
playing the role of “Mama” Jacobs, Rick’s mother. Feehan brought exceptional
comedic timing, energy, and an obvious understanding of the character in her
portrayal of an overbearing mother. Feehan’s comedic sensibilities and character
quirks provided for an exceptional performance.
The use of doubles in the cast was very well accomplished, with the duo of Rick 2
(Carlos Castillo) and Loni 2 (Adeline McCaul) providing a smooth and hilarious
foil to the central couple of the story.
The fictional characters in Rick’s mystery play, led by Elizabeth Lambert as
Veronica, demonstrated strong versatility and physicality as they tried out
several different versions of a murder scene, ranging from serious, to
intoxicated, to completely over-the-top. Despite occasional issues with
projection and overcrowding on stage, the cast did a fine job staying in
character.
Sound elements were used to great effect, especially in the fantasy sequences.
The use of music was a particular highlight, perfectly reflecting the mood of
each dream. This ranged from a film noir-style track to a klezmer piece, and
finally to “Gonna Fly Now” from the Rocky soundtrack as the characters
frenetically raced around the stage.
The costumes throughout the production, especially between the sets of doubles,
were well coordinated. Special attention should be given to the student-made urn
costume, which provided for some great physical comedy involving the character of
Pop, played by Noah Habenstreit.
The students of Albert Einstein High School turned in solid, versatile, and
believable performances in their production of Figments, which proved to be a fun
and exciting look into the mind of a playwright.
by Ryan Goff of South Lakes High School
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