Cappies: St. Mother Teresa High School presents an enchanting production of Elsewhere

Published May 18, 2024 • Last updated 4 hours ago • 13 minute read

Doctor 1 played by Vinny McMillan (L), Ariel played by Sophia Constantinesco (F), Doctor 2 (R) played by Parsa Tahavori during St. Mother Terrsa High School’s Cappies production of Elsewhere, held on April 19, 2024. Photo by Francesca Gallo /Student

Show # 17

St. Mother Teresa High School

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Elsewhere

Director: Lindsay Laviolette

Rachel Asrat, Critic
St. Francis Xavier High School

In a twisted world built on imagination, dreams become reality in St. Mother Teresa High School’s enchanting production of Elsewhere! Creating an immersive experience full of childhood whimsy, the cast and crew of St. Mother Teresa High School captured the bittersweet essence of youth in their brilliant performance.

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Written by Don Zolidis, Elsewhere follows the tale of four students at Larkin Academy who sneak into an abandoned headmaster’s office and find a doorway into another world. The land of Elsewhere is beyond their wildest dreams, filled with fantastical creatures of all kinds. But the students are forced to become unwitting heroes when they discover horrifying villains that terrorize the realm, turning the dreamscape into a personalized nightmare.

The talented cast and crew of St. Mother Teresa High School had impeccable collaboration, working together flawlessly to compose a production of seamless transitions and captivating performances.

Played by Sophia Constantinesco, Ariel boldly led the ragtag group of heroic students with a clear voice and a passion that shone through every word and emphatic gesture. Constantinesco displayed genuine, palpable emotion, be it fear at the thought of the future or love when surrounded by friends. Delivering a powerful performance with entrancing energy, Constantinesco’s use of defiant body language and a fighting spirit perfectly captured the soul of a budding hero.

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Vi played by Liza Kononenko (L), Jenna played by Shari Gabrielle Bautista (2ndFL), Ariel played by Sophia Constantinesco (2ndFR), and Tooth Goblin played by Claire Raymond (R), during St. Mother Terrsa High School’s Cappies production of Elsewhere, held on April 19, 2024. Photo by Francesca Gallo /Student

The nefarious Clockmaker, brought to life by Zoe-Elizabeth Cook, used fervent hand gestures to control the stage by striking the perfect balance of timeless class and angered dramatics that made for an enthralling performance. In the role of Steven O’Malley, the “half-human, half-buffalo, full librarian” guide to the dreamy world, Alexander James perfected a posh Irish accent and a lovably earnest body language. The unassuming “huffalo” proved to be a charming, if clumsy and awkward, addition to the realm of Elsewhere; James’s humorous delivery made Steve O’Malley stand out on the stage.

Entirely handcrafted by the Mighty Theatre Costume Team, Steven O’Malley’s legs and hooves added to the realism of this outlandish play, creating a “huffalo” that fit perfectly in the world of magical creatures. Illuminating the stage, Cailey Dirksen, Ronan Keown, Tiago Fernandes, Liza Kononenko and Jacobo Perez Perez made brilliant use of multicolored LED lights to produce an emotional atmosphere, ranging from the ice-blue chill of the Frost-Bringer to the haunting yellow of a hospital’s waiting room.

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Rife with tasteful humour and cathartic emotional experiences, the cast and crew of St. Mother Teresa High School crafted a mystical and moving production that explored the age-old struggle between the allure of youthful innocence and the necessary challenges that come with growing up.

Brianna Mattioli, Critic
St. Joseph High School

Transcend into an alternate universe where the imagination knows no bounds—where just the ordinary can very quickly transform into the extraordinary. St. Mother Teresa High School’s rendition of Elsewhere was a commendable performance that brought to life the multiverse that embraces unique mythical creatures not limited to alluring fairies and grisly tooth fairies, managing to persuade those that the improbable is, nonetheless, possible.

One eerie night, just past dusk, four audacious students enter the spooky bearings of a New Hampshire abandoned house that only decades ago bore a vanishing son. Rather than the four individuals encountering ghosts and other chilling paranormal entities as presumed, they open the door to one realm that was of pure imagination to each of their own: Elsewhere. It may seem like glitter and shine, but the more time the four students spend in Elsewhere, the more they realize just how corrupt it is.

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St. Mother Teresa High School’s group of actors did a splendid job at delineating the heart of Elsewhere. Each actor fantastically depicted their character from their personalities to the way that they dressed and always remained in touch with the true nature of what their respective character resembled. Furthermore, the projection and clarity of their voices was remarkable. The ensemble, known as the Tooth Goblins, truly brought a heinous atmosphere to the play and depicted just how evil the tooth fairy and goblins can be. It is truly wonderful that the human brain is capable of envisioning absurd things according to subjective experiences, and St. Mother Teresa had a phenomenal pursuit at executing that.

Sophia Constantinesco truly achieved a wonderful job of creating the elusive Ariel, one of the four teenagers who embarks on the journey to the abandoned house, ending up in Elsewhere. From the beginning to the end of the play, Constantinesco remained in character and effectively demonstrated the evolution of Ariel as she progressed through Elsewhere. Constantinesco amazingly illustrated the insecurities Ariel felt at the beginning of the play to helping Ariel overcome those battles in the finale. Two individuals alongside Ariel who added comic relief to the intensity of the play were Ryan Sipes, as Jacob, and Shari Gabrielle Bautista, as Jenna. When Ariel was going through highs and lows, Shari Gabrielle Bautista made sure to always add a light-hearted impression to the situation in the form of Jenna. As for Ryan Sipes, when Ariel was in a slight conundrum, Sipes brought that assurance to the play that Jacob’s peers needed in times of distress.

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Madison Burke, who acted as Sylvan, and Liza Kononenko, who acted as Vi, marvellously brought together all the pure emotions that Sylvan and Vi feel throughout the play and illustrated them well through body language, facial expressions, vocals, and plenty more. Ultimately, Burke and Kononenko considerably added to the emotional aspect of the play in such an effective manner that it was realistically executed to create the ideal play.

The hair and makeup, done by the Mighty Theatre Hair and Makeup Team definitely designed the perfect ethereal look for the mythical creatures. Steven O’Malley, acted by Alexander James, accounted for a brown makeup look on the face that mimicked the appearance of a Huffalo—half-human, half- buffalo. Furthermore, Viola, Queen of the Fairies, acted by Olivia Stewart, had such a colourful look that captured the fun and playful nature of fairies. The lighting, done by Cailey Dirksen, Ronan Keown, Tiago Fernandes, and Liza Kononenko, presented itself in a variety of different manners—such as blue when the scene was set in a hospital room—that accurately depicted the mood in each scene. On some occasions, the lighting would also coordinate with the sound, also done by Cailey Dirksen, Ronan Keown, Tiago Fernandes, and Liza Kononenko, which added a tremendously interesting and enrapturing aspect to the play.

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Great Job St. Mother Teresa High School on your production of Elsewhere. It was definitely one to remember!

Amelia Alam, Critic
Colonel By Secondary School

Where else to go but Elsewhere? It’s the realm of pure imagination, after all. Who wouldn’t want to see their fantasies inhabiting their mind come to fruition? Well, certainly not Ariel, Sylvan, Vi, and Jenna, whose imaginations lead them down a dark and scary path.

In St. Mother Teresa High School’s whimsically comedic, yet emotionally poignant production Elsewhere, a play written by Don Zolidis, these four best friends try to escape the darkest pits of their imagination, leading to many twists and turns down the road.

Sophia Constantinesco’s compelling portrayal of Ariel brilliantly encapsulated the character’s inner turmoil, seamlessly morphing from simple school girl to anguished survivor of trauma in a matter of seconds. The powerful physicality and terrifying screams during moments of trauma contrasted against the vibrant facial expressions and cynical body language outside of these moments cemented Constantinesco’s incredible talent. Shari Gabrielle Bautista demonstrated wonderful versatility in the role of Jenna. While Bautista’s impeccable comedic timing and charming stage presence remained constant throughout the show, the usage of heavy tears, delicate mannerisms, and dejected facial expressions in vulnerable moments added another layer of emotional depth to the character. Liza Kononenko’s delightful portrayal of Vi was not only electrifying comedic, but incredibly realistic as well. Kononenko’s talent and dedication was apparent, remaining in character all throughout the play, by maintaining proper posture, speaking with authority, and commanding attention with ease. Kononenko’s comedic talent shone in Vi’s moments of fear, with the sudden arrival of Kononenko’s shrieks and panicked physicality. Madison Burke, in the role of Sylvan, brought another element of poignancy to the show. Burke demonstrated Sylvan’s emotional strength in moments where Sylvan re-lives trauma through evocative vocal inflections and anxious body language. Burke’s phenomenal performance was highlighted again through the usage of vocal tenderness and soft, yet determined, body language when Sylvan almost loses a friend.

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Steven O’Malley played by Alexander James (L) and Vi played by Liza Kononenko during St. Mother Terssa High School’s Cappies production of Elsewhere, held on April 19, 2024. Photo by Francesca Gallo /Student

Both Alexander James and Ryan Sipes, in the roles of Steven O’Malley and Jacob respectively, brought another spectacular layer of humour to this production. James exuded a more whimsical presence onstage, through the usage of comically grandiose physical gestures, to portray Steven O’Malley. Sipes depiction of Jacob was wonderfully amusing, with facial expressions changing from energetic to nonchalant in a second!

The costumes in this production, designed by The Mighty Theatre Costume Team, were highly-detailed and truly well-executed. The costumes were not only marvellously creative, but they accurately embodied the personalities of the characters too. Kononenko’s Vi wore more formal-looking clothing, with white dress pants, a vest, and a dress shirt, which greatly aided in representing Vi’s serious and determined personality. Bautista’s Jenna was costumed in a pink, girly outfit, showcasing the bubbly and lighthearted aspects of Jenna’s characterization. The majority of the costumes for the members of Elsewhere were vibrant and colourful, and helped distinguish one character from another through varying patterns, colours, and styles. The lighting in this production was fantastic too! After set changes, which were quick and efficient, a new colour of lighting would appear. Hues of blue, purple, green and more appeared throughout the play, enhancing both the atmospheric aspects of specific scenes and the overall mysticality of the play’s setting, the land of Elsewhere.

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Ripe with electrifying humour, emotional vulnerability, and remarkable all-around creative talent, St. Mother Teresa High School’s production of Elsewhere successfully brought this enthralling play to life!

Michelle Lavoie, Critic
All Saints High School

A lesson against trespassing: Elsewhere performed by St. Mother Teresa High School.

The story takes place in the whimsical world of Elsewhere. Four private school students, Ariel, Vi, Jenna and Sylvan, explore a haunted house that once belonged to a headmaster and his son who went missing. Upon discovering a clock, the four are transported to the world of Elsewhere. There, they must embark on a journey to save the world, while battling their own traumas. To save Elsewhere they must stop the Frostbringer and free the Amber Phoenix. Their unique dispositions and experiences in life will determine if they shall leave the world and grow, or remain frozen in Elsewhere forever.

St. Mother Teresa High School created a childlike atmosphere. Their ability to tackle difficult topics such as divorce, trauma surrounding gender identity and family was commendable.

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The role of Ariel, played by Sophia Constantinesco, was well executed. Constantinesco was able to easily portray a character with complex emotional layers and did so confidently. Constantinesco also had natural chemistry with all the characters and was an enjoyable protagonist.

Liza Kononenko’s portrayal of the character Vi was wonderful. Kononenko had a broad emotional range and was sarcastic all while being deeply emotional. Kononenko’s nightmare scene was particularly wrenching, as Kononenko acted with such sadness and fear, all while making no sound. Olivia Monsour’s portrayal of the Tooth Fairy, while featured, was extremely memorable. Monsour’s feral demeanour was comic and all lines were delivered in a raspy gravelly voice. This played well off of the Tooth Goblins ensemble who never broke their deranged characters.

The technical team for this production was incredible. The sound team was able to work effortlessly with the equipment available and was able to ensure everyone was heard at all times. They were also consistent with cues and had precise timing. The sets were all beautifully constructed and set changes were smooth with no visible mistakes. The changes between scenes were almost choreographed and looked professional. The costumes were crafted beautifully. Notably the costume of Steven O’Malley was whimsical, and actually looked like a half buffalo half human.

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St. Mother Teresa High School’s production of Elsewhere was eccentric and inviting. Both the technical team and the actors handled a difficult show with style and confidence.

Michelle Jones, Critic
All Saints High School

What’s the recipe for staying young forever? Dancing fairies, tooth goblins, and a date with a time lord. Imagination takes a tangible form in St. Mother Teresa High School’s production of Elsewhere by Don Zolidis.

Elsewhere follows four offbeat boarding school friends who stumble upon a world unlike their own when they break into the old, forgotten mansion belonging to the ex headmaster. They are whisked away to Elsewhere, a strange realm fueled off of imagination itself. The friends are roped into thwarting the supposedly malevolent wrath of the Frostbringer. Yet, they soon discover a more sinister enemy lurking between the folds of time itself, and when they return to reality, one of them is missing. Now, the remaining trio must return to the unpredictable dimension, battling their imaginations themselves–as well as their nightmares. Can these oddball teens crack the mysteries of Elsewhere in time to graduate, or will Elsewhere stop their clocks early?

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The students of St. Mother Teresa High school put on an engaging show filled with vibrant acting and remarkable costumes that produced a whimsically charming production staggered with comic highs and eerie horrors. The blunt and multi-faceted teenager Ariel was played by Sophia Constantinesco, who brought complexity to the role with strong emotional performances of frustration and physical pain, as well as an exemplary portrayal of a convincing and consistent character.

Ryan Sipes portrayed the good-intentioned though dull-witted boyfriend, Jacob with an effortlessly comic performance that incited laughter and attention from the audience with Sipes’ every action. A buoyant demeanour mixed with a classic, teenage-boy image made for a character who consistently entertained. Sipes utilized strong physical comedy and a blank stare to produce a magnetic and enjoyable performance.

Steven O’Malley played by Alexander James during St. Mother Teresa High School’s Cappies production of Elsewhere, held on April 19, 2024. Photo by Francesca Gallo /Student

Costumes were a highlight of this show, with fantasy creatures that came to life onstage with handmade pieces that sold every illusion. The half-buffalo, Steven O’Malley (Alexander James) wore buffalo legs that elevated the actor’s height and displayed a devotion to details such as carved hoofs and sculpted horns. The Frostbringer (Zoe Pruys) was cloaked in robes and stood with an inhuman stature. It featured glowing eyes that added to the character’s ghostly yet powerful look. Lighting was always appropriate and set the supernatural tone of the production. It was most prominent during the show’s smooth, choreographed set changes that happened live on stage, backlit by colourful lights that changed based on the context of the scene.

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Whimsical props acted as anchors into the play’s unique setting, while also being functional and high-quality. A comically large box of tooth floss was used to tie up the main characters, featuring a cutesy label and functional rope that served as the floss. A realistic tooth also fell from a character’s mouth in a haunting dream sequence. This addition was executed well and elevated the scene to be chilling and grotesque as onlookers squirmed at the freakish sight. This show featured many locations, and each was distinct and creative. The frosty, upside down walls of Elsewhere felt freakish and alluring, and the lush fairy garden was colourful and decorated with floral doorways and a hot tub that characters interacted with.

St. Mother Teresa High School presented an unconventional story of self acceptance and growth through fantastical escapism. Dynamic acting and immersive technical elements created a charmingly unique experience that transported audiences somewhere entirely new. Elsewhere was a fundamental life lesson that change and growth are inherently good, even if a time god tells you otherwise.

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About the reviews:

The St. Mother Teresa High School production was reviewed by 27 critics representing 7 schools. The critic discussions were mentored by teacher Electra Hatzopoulos of A.Y. Jackson Secondary School and student reviews were edited and selected for publication by teacher Kassandra Johnson Desnoyers of Philemon Wright High School, who could see only the reviews, not the names or schools of the reviewers.

Next review: Immaculata High School’s production of The Addams Family: A New Musical.

About the Cappies:

The Citizen and 20 high schools are participating in the Cappies, a Washington, D.C.based program that uses high school critics to review high school theatre. The program is a unique partnership between the Ottawa Citizen, the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and the Ottawa Catholic School Board. Two schools from other boards in the region and one private school have also joined. The four winners of the lead acting categories will receive a bursary provided by the international law firm Gowling WLG Canada LLP. Follow Canada’s Capital Cappies on X (formerly known as Twitter) and Instagram @OttawaCappies.

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