Review by Averie Shutters, Milford High School Critic Team
As the lights dimmed and the first notes rang out from Walnut Hills High School's live orchestra, the audience was transported to the turn of the 20th century, where ambition and adventure shaped the American West. The theater came alive with the spirited energy of The Unsinkable Molly Brown, setting the perfect stage for this reimagined classic. With lively melodies, dynamic choreography, and heartfelt performances, the production captured the humor, heart, and resilience of Molly Brown's extraordinary journey, drawing viewers into a world of determination, love, and unshakable optimism.
Dick Scanlan's revised adaptation of The Unsinkable Molly Brown breathes new life into Meredith Willson's original 1960 musical, offering a fresh perspective on the legendary figure. Inspired by the real-life Margaret Brown, the story follows her rise from a scrappy young woman in Hannibal, Missouri, to a socialite and activist who refuses to be defined by wealth alone. This version deepens Molly's character, emphasizing her independence, resilience, and unwavering spirit in the face of adversity. The show's themes of perseverance, love, and self-discovery make it a timeless and inspiring tale.
Walnut Hills High School's production of The Unsinkable Molly Brown was a breathtaking display of talent, passion, and technical excellence. The visually stunning set transported the audience from rugged mining towns to grand ballrooms, shifting seamlessly between locations. The live orchestra elevated every moment, bringing Meredith Willson's lively score to life. Beyond its dazzling spectacle, the production delivered a powerful message, shedding light on social and political issues that remain relevant today. Through humor and heartfelt emotion, it highlighted themes of class struggle, women's empowerment, and resilience, making it a moving and thought-provoking experience.
Caroline Lovelace delivered a powerhouse performance as Molly Brown, embodying the character with boundless energy, charm, and an undeniable stage presence. Her stunning vocals soared through every number, capturing Molly's fiery determination and optimism. Lovelace balanced humor and emotion perfectly, delivering each line with wit and charisma. Her performance was both larger-than-life and deeply relatable, ensuring the audience was fully invested in Molly's journey. From her commanding presence to her infectious spirit, Lovelace's portrayal was inspiring and unforgettable. Clark Sayre shone as J.J. Brown, showcasing an impressive vocal range and undeniable stage chemistry with Lovelace's Molly. His rich voice added depth to every song, capturing J.J.'s warmth and charm. Sayre's interactions with Lovelace felt effortless, making their love story compelling and genuine. His ability to balance strength with vulnerability added layers to his character, making J.J. a dynamic and endearing presence in the production.
Sunny Durig-Roos gave a heartfelt performance as Julia Gerrard, portraying a strong, supportive friendship with Molly. Her warm stage presence and expressive acting brought depth to their bond, making their connection feel authentic and moving. With solid vocals and a compelling performance, Durig-Roos added sincerity and heart to the production.
The set, designed by Evan Williams, El Gainer, and crew, was a stunning and immersive element of the production. Each backdrop and structure beautifully depicted the various locations, from mining towns to ballrooms, adding authenticity to the world of the show. The seamless transitions, executed flawlessly by the run crew, ensured the pacing was smooth and dynamic, enhancing the overall experience.
Walnut Hills High School's production of The Unsinkable Molly Brown was a breathtaking blend of talent, passion, and technical excellence. From the powerhouse performances to the stunning set and seamless transitions, every element came together to create an unforgettable experience. With compelling storytelling and a message that remains relevant today, the production was both entertaining and deeply moving, leaving a lasting impact on the audience.
Review by Violet Hisey, Highlands High School Critic Team
From a small mining town to the glittering wealth of Denver, Walnut Hills High School mesmerized its audience with a vibrant journey through the remarkable life of The Unsinkable Molly Brown.
The Unsinkable Molly Brown is a rewritten version of the original 1960 musical of the same name. Written by Meredith Willson and Dick Scanlan, it follows the life of Molly Brown leading up to her survival of the RMS Titanic and features stories of her philanthropic work and desire to abolish traditional gender norms, along with her relationship with James Joseph "J.J." Brown.
Walnut Hills' production of The Unsinkable Molly Brown brought the true story of Molly and her family to life, utilizing period-accurate costumes, dazzling portrayals of historical figures, and natural-yet-vivid lighting. The energy brought to the stage by both the cast and crew of this production was exceptional and was reflected in numbers such as "Belly Up to the Bar, Boys" and "Share the Luck."
Caroline Lovelace perfected the witty, determined, and influential nature of Margaret "Call-me-Molly" Brown. Her understanding of the complexities and nuances of her character was reflected in every step she took, from Molly's dreams of moving to Denver to her longing to reunite with her husband. Flawlessly complementing Lovelace was Clark Sayre, who portrayed J.J. Brown. Sayre's impressive vocal and acting abilities helped the audience understand his interpretation of the character and J.J.'s intentions throughout the story. Songs such as "I'll Never Say No / My Own Brass Bed" showcased the duo's chemistry, vocal, and acting abilities beautifully.
Complementing the Browns were Vincenzo and Julia Gerrard, portrayed by Andrew Canter and Sunny Durig-Roos. Canter's role as the lovable Italian miner showcased his wide range of acting abilities. In certain scenes, Canter provided relief with comedic dances and witty one-liners. However, it was clear that Canter could maintain a serious demeanor in scenes that required it. Additionally, Sunny Durig-Roos brought the role of Julia Gerrard to life through her remarkable vocal and acting skills. Notably, Julia's relationship with Molly was portrayed beautifully and highlighted the power of women in this period.
Truly completing the performance of the cast was the work of the crew. The lights crew, led by Eleanor Jackson, created natural scenes true to the Gilded Age while also incorporating vivid cues to add to the atmosphere of certain moments. Notably, the blue, green, and purple hues of the lifeboat scene truly encapsulated the feelings of loneliness while being stranded on the boat. Additionally, the set crew, led by Evan Williams and El Gainer, helped the audience understand the wealth disparity between the different classes portrayed in this show, as seen in the differences in the Browns' houses between the first and second acts. Additionally, the small decorations and nuances in each setting display the level of detail and work this crew put into their vision. Finally, creativity, led by McKenzie Bell, ensured that—through her research into the context of this show—even the smallest details were incorporated into the script, which Bell heavily analyzed.
Through time-accurate decorations, dazzling lighting, and a thorough understanding of each and every line, Walnut Hills High School's regional premiere of The Unsinkable Molly Brown brought the true story of Molly Brown to justice.
Review by Charlotte Weghorst, Highlands High School Critic Team
The sun glints off the pickaxes of eager prospectors looking for fortunes, casting shadows over the rough-and-tumble mining town of Leadville. However, amidst this world of grit and gold, one woman refuses to be swept away by the molten current—Molly Brown. With a heart as wild as the Colorado River and a spirit as unshakeable as the Rocky Mountains, Walnut Hill's production of The Unsinkable Molly Brown captured the spirit of an era where luck could make fortunes in the blink of an eye.
With music and lyrics by Meredith Willson and script by Dick Scanlan, The Unsinkable Molly Brown tells the rags-to-riches story of the feisty Margaret 'call me Molly' Brown as she stumbles upon Leadville, a silver-mining town, and becomes an overnight millionaire. As she participates in charity work, traverses Europe, and survives the Titanic, Molly proves that she's too bold for silly mountains to contain, too fierce for the society of Denver to tame, and too determined to go down without a fight.
With its extraordinary performances and painstaking designs, Walnut Hills High School clearly paid careful attention to detail when it came to creating the world of Molly's larger-than-life journey, from the bustle of saloons where silver dust permeates the air to the opulent halls of Denver high society.
Caroline Lovelace as Molly Brown expertly portrayed the rambunctious, feisty, and persistent Gilded Age woman. A character not easily depicted, this role calls for comedic timing, dancing skills, a wide vocal range, and sheer talent, all wonderfully showcased by Lovelace . Whether it be defending herself in "I Ain't Down Yet," partying in "Belly Up to the Bar, Boys," or reflecting on heartbreak in "Wait for Me," Lovelace demonstrated her musical ability and stole the spotlight throughout this production. Moreover, Clark Sayre as J.J. Brown also validated his own singing abilities in pieces such as "I'll Never Say No" and "I'd Like to Change Everything About You" .
Another noteworthy performance was that of Sunny Durig-Roos as Julia Gerrard , who demonstrated her natural stage talent with songs such as "A Wonderful Plan" . Finally, Andrew Canter as Vincenzo was another memorable character, showcasing his ability with accents, physical comedy, and vocal range in songs with his fellow miners such as "Just Becuz."
Lighting by Eleanor Jackson further enhanced the production by utilizing neutral color schemes to imply candlelight and sunshine, harsher shadows during dramatic scenes, and spotlighting different areas to indicate where the audience should focus their attention. Costumes by Alice Carmicle utilized style, color, and silhouettes to display the time period and the difference in classes, all while pulling off quick changes.
Much like Molly Brown herself, Walnut Hills High School's The Unsinkable Molly Brown radiated determination, charm, and an unshakable spirit, proving that some dreams—and some people—are simply too resilient to sink.
Excerpts From Other Top Reviews
"The show would not have been complete without the silver miner trio consisting of Vincenzo (Andrew Canter), Erich (Ben Clemenz), and Arthur (Elijah Cook). Their comedic timing was on point, and their commitment to their respective roles could be seen in their excellent unique dialects and dynamic character choices."
-Hana Conte, The Summit Country Day School Critic Team
"The costumes, thoughtfully designed by Alice Carmicle, perfectly highlighted each character's demeanor, complementing and uplifting their personalities! The scenic design was simple, yet extremely effective and instrumental to the telling of the story, and each set has been clearly given the utmost care and attention to detail by designers El Gainer and Evan Williams. Lighting has been skillfully designed by Eleanor Jackson, drawing attention to key scenes and highlighting contrasts in dramatic moments. All of these technical elements were brought together by production stage manager Abbie Kershner, who expertly orchestrated this production from the opening of the curtains to the final bows!"
-Charlotte Blase, Clark Montessori High School Critic Team
"Lovelace had amazingly strong vocals and put on a multi-faceted performance, taking the audience through the struggles and hardships she went through as a Titanic survivor. The character development that she gave, from a poor young woman who couldn't read or write, to a socialite who was aboard the Titanic and fought to keep the rescued immigrants in America, was remarkable. Clark Sayre portrayed J.J. Brown as the firm, stern, and sometimes harsh-minded husband to Molly. His vocal inflection was notably stern and commanding at times, but his vocals were soft, sweet, and resonant. From his dialogue to his vocal ability, Clark gave J.J. Brown a very double-sided, somewhat contrasting feel."
-Kevin Webb, Campbell County High School Critic Team
"The set, designed by Evan Williams and El Gainer, effectively portrayed the stages of Molly's life. This is specifically notable in the transition from her cabin in Leadville to her mansion in Denver, which took inspiration from the White House. The transition from poor to rich was difficult to achieve due to the originality of the production, but it was successfully underscored by the seemingly insignificant details within the design. Moreover, creativity, more specifically dramaturgy, was done by McKenzie Bell. Bell researched the production and provided context to cast members, allowing them to understand their characters' backgrounds and convey that through their choices."
-Adelaide Littner, Highlands High School Critic Team
"Each grand ensemble number was accented by complementary choreography by Lauryn Shafer and provided a lovely level of ambition to the production. Even on the smaller scales, however, Shafer's choreography excelled with precise intention in every step."
-Peyton Pope, Highlands High School Critic Team
"A stunning contrast to the severity of the Titanic catastrophe, the comedic characters of this production brought life and joy to the world of Molly Brown despite the pressing economic standards of the time. Two such comedians, Andrew Canter and Adelaide Linser, stole the show with their amplified mannerisms and sharp wit. Canter as Vincenzo, a silver turned gold miner, not only invited laughs from the audience with his exaggerated Italian accent, but also fully embodied his character through his distinctively precise physicality. A member of The Sacred 36, Louise Sneed-Hill, played by Adelaide Linser, created unique humor through flamboyant actions and operatic high notes. Her portrayal of a satirized American socialite complemented the complex controversy surrounding the upper class within the show."
-Alexandra Hess, Campbell County High School Critic Team
"Walnut Hills High School's production of The Unsinkable Molly Brown was an earnest, uplifting portrayal that, though set in the past, carries a message that resonates today: 'Be calm, never settle. We ain't down yet.'"
-Molly Rebber, Clark Montessori High School Critic Team