2023 International Thespian Excellence Award Winner Scenic Design
"Danny Fortuno’s two-tiered scenic design created a grand space that the cast used beautifully. Every single element, truly, was brilliantly executed. Easily, it was the most impressive technical display the audience had seen from a high school in quite a while."
Blue Ridge LEADER & LOUDON Today
"The technical aspect of the production was simply astounding. The Greek-influenced, two-level set designed by Danny Fortuno caught the eye the moment the audience walked in."
The Cappies
"The stationary set (designed by Danny Fortuno), with towering marble pillars and a balcony, took form with the assistance of lighting (designed by Jack Capobianco). By simply changing the lighting colors or turning on a strip of LEDs, the stage transitioned from roller a disco to Mount Olympus in a matter of seconds."
The enchanting atmosphere of the production was aided and created by scenic designer Daniel Fortuno and props designer Emilia Scovel. Each of the vastly different locations portrayed throughout the show seamlessly shifts from beautiful scene to scene. A simple bedroom transforms into a carnival, complete with dancing elephants, and to top it off an enormously colorful cannon. Later on, when Edward is seen fighting the war, the stage is decked out in red, white, and blue complete with actual sparklers!
The most elegant stage scene by far was during the Daffodils song where the auditorium is caked in yellow. Young love can be seen sprouting as the stage transforms into a serene daffodil field, complete with both unbelievable daffodil props and countless beautifully designed daffodil displays that suddenly appear throughout the song.