BWW Reviews: DUST TO DUST is a Triumph

Speechless.

To say that "Dust to Dust" at the Fringe Festival leaves me speechless is an understatement. Dumfounded, awestruck? I'm usually not at a loss for words but these wunderkinds have done it to me. This must see event of the Fringe Festival is written, directed and starring all recent Fairfax County high school students. I, for one, was astonished when I learned this after the show. I knew the actors were young, but had no idea that these talented young adults poured their heart, soul, and amazing talent into this.

The title may suggest the feeling of life to death and in a way this simple story is about that. Not a literal life - but finding yourself. Not a literal death - but leaving your old life behind. The premise of this show is straightforward: Toby goes from the dust plain to the Big Apple in the roaring 20s to reclaim a years old debt by the mother of a now very famous singer, Scarlet Rosen. Along the way, there is social struggle, a murder, and a love story. It's a simple yet moving story and full of hope.

Written by Andrea Matten, Chris Mayhew and Sarah Marksteiner, the trio has managed to weave not only a beautiful story, but also a powerful score. The score, by Matten & Mayhew, is full of highlights, among them the powerful "We Walk" and the chilling and moving "The Day That It Rains". The score is energetic and exhilarating. The lyrics are poignant and the story remains wishful, as they continue to develop this piece (and I hope they do) they would benefit from fleshing out some characters and making the piece a full two acts.

Matten, not only as the writer, stars as the jazzy Scarlet Rosen. Matten's voice is beautiful and strong, very reminiscent of Ellie Goulding - smoky and sultry. Marksteiner, who wears three hats in this piece besides writing and starring as Scarlet's overbearing mother also flawlessly directs this piece to keep in flowing with simple set elements and effective shadow puppetry. Matten and Marksteiner together as mother and daughter have the same dynamic and chemistry as Ruth and Rose in Titanic. Composer Mayhew who plays a small ensemble role is a force at the piano accompanying solo and with cast members on various instruments at times.

The remainder of the cast is phenomenal. You can tell these thespians have off stage chemistry because the group as a whole gels on stage so well. Out of the remainder of the ensemble the standout among the many highlights is Chloe Gilfoil as Toby's mother Anna. Besides having a beautiful voice, Gilfoil is the unsung hero of the show who accompanies Mayhew by playing electric guitar and drums and switches between her many instruments and roles effortlessly.

I hope this troupe keeps the show alive after the festival. With them undoubtedly going their separate ways to college in the fall, I sincerely hope they keep this alive, because this is too good of a show to be forgotten when the festival is over. I've seen a lot of new works in my career by some well established and respected playwrights and none of them left me as speechless as this one.

"Dust To Dust" plays as part of the Capital Fringe Festival at the at Eastman Studio Theatre at Gallaudet University.

https://www.capitalfringe.org/events/654-dust-to-dust

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