The following review was written by history teacher Jeffrey Hackler:

I had to go see "Antigone" by Sophocles, not Shakespeare, as someone erroneously told me.

I had no choice.

Nine of the fifteen actors who had speaking parts were my students. I even read the script before attending Wednesday's dress rehearsal. Antigone clashes with her uncle Creon, the ruler of Thebes. Her decision to follow her own code of honor rather than abide by Creon's law brings about a tragic and startling resolution. After reading the script, I was a bit leery if our students could make this plot believable. 

After seeing the play, I sat back in my seat in awe. Everyone was spectacular and performed at a high level. Director Rob Duval deserves great credit for casting the students well and training them to act rather than just speak their lines. Because of his attention to detail and his keen director's eye, we, the audience, became transfixed as we watched the drama unfold on stage. 

Ashley Higa portrayed Antigone as a sister who disobeyed Creon's law and buried her brother's body. She thought it was the morally correct thing to do even though she knew it meant she would be put to death. Ashley showed both emotions, being rebellious and scared, at the same time and we certainly empathized with her difficult plight. 

Christian, as Creon, the ruler who made and executed the law barring anyone from burying the dead body, had a tougher assignment because he had to display so many different emotions. He started off as a proud and haughty leader. As family and public opinion rallied against his point of view and his law, Christian raged against the tide of opinion only to be overwhelmed at the end as the results of his law became apparent.

 The tension and tragedy of the play was developed by the outstanding efforts of the Chorus and the other leads. The Chorus included eight women. Their movements on stage were precise and well choreographed and their speaking parts were voiced seamlessly. They were on stage nearly the whole time but they never lost focus.  Marisa Wang, playing Antigone's sister, captured the essence of a pliable, frail character. It was easy to imagine Chaz Silva as the son of Creon, who was caught between his love for Antigone and his duty to his father. Matthew Kor was the blind seer whose advice unsettled Creon. His voice, pacing and make-up allowed us to believe that this old man could predict the future. Alicia Yurong, the wife of Creon, showed sorrow and emotional desperation in such a stoic manner. Finally, Samuel Kor, the messenger, exuded his emotions so realistically as he told the play's sad conclusion that my eyes watered. 

The simple set turned Seto Hall into Creon's ruling chambers. The lights adapted to the different scenes, the costumes were simple yet appropriate and the make-up was just right, never over done. The music, written by Mr. Wayne DeMello, prevented some scenes from becoming too static.

In short, the stage managers and director Duval created a wonderful 90 minute piece of theatre and turned high school students into accomplished actors. (For a cast list see Antigone under Upcoming Events.)