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ADJUDICATOR OVERALL COMMENTS

RANKED @ CB WEST Nov 14-16, 2025

 

1.      Ranked is a dark musical. Each character had the weight of their own world on their shoulders, and it showed. The actors were chosen wisely, and it seemed apparent why each was chosen for their role. They did very mature work handling heavy topics (parental death, class disparities in schools, etc) in a way that didn't feel contrived. The sibling relationships felt very layered and genuine, and the leads did a wonderful job building the sibling relationships that form so much of the backbone of the show. Each pair read as very comfortable with each other emotionally and the ways they both teased and reassured each other felt authentic. The payoff for all that work was especially powerful in "Come up for Air" which to me was the strongest number in the performance due to the nuance in the relationships. The technical elements (lights, projections) made the environment feel very tense and pressurized, which added to the actors' work. The ensemble has layered stage business, and their singing volume/diction was always strong enough that I could easily understand them. The dancers executed their choreo very cleanly and the chemistry among the members of Sydney's squad was quite fun to watch. The technical elements of the show were pretty strong across the board. The stage crew was speedy and unobtrusive in their changes in a way that lent momentum to the show. The stage managers did a sharp job on cue calling, especially with the added dimension of projection cues. In the lighting design I appreciated the water-related design touches (wave gobos, blue undertones in the light for the songs with water-related metaphors); those decisions augmented what the performers were doing onstage and made the atmosphere of the school feel inundating and overwhelming.

 

2.      This was a really well performed show from start to finish. The entire ensemble was very strong. Each cast member was locked in and never out of character - always engaged and professional. I feel that the best asset to your whole cast is when they all sing these big, beautiful chords - there is a very beautiful blend through the ensemble, and it really rings out in the strong harmonies. I appreciate you taking a chance and performing a work that is not as familiar - it's one of the few shows I've seen that I knew absolutely nothing about coming in. It was a nice surprise to watch it all unfold with your talented cast of leads and the ensemble. I loved the staging and the use of levels. Vocally your cast blended so well as an ensemble - some of those harmonies were not easy ones to pull off and I felt like you all did a fantastic job of bringing out the warmth and letting each full chord ring out - this was beautiful. All of your lead characters were really good singers. This was an interesting show - full of some laughs, some sass and a lot of heart! Your cast tapped into each emotion and took us on a ride… hopefully the students who performed in the show took something away from this experience and realize that being who you are is far more important that being with the "in crowd" or being "the best" at the cost of losing people you care about! Congratulations on a wonderful job! I wish you the best of luck now and in the future of your amazing program!

 

3.      Your cast was most successful was finding humanity in characters who were set up in a world where friendship is at least partially transactional, and outward presentation does not always match inward personalities and desires. Your students brought the dystopian world of the play to life beautifully and with care and thoughtfulness. I thought it was very clever to have the stage crew dressed as Below the Average students, so that scene changes done in the light felt more organic. This musical is a cautionary tale and a good one for teenagers, especially, to see. Your cast connected the piece and created well-rounded characters, and your crew supported them well with visuals that helped the world come to be. You should all be very proud of what you accomplished.

 

4.      Ranked is complex material that requires managing numerous storylines, intricate vocal harmonies, and building tension throughout. The company demonstrated strong vocal abilities across the board and took on the challenge of this demanding show with commitment. Moments like "Come Up for Air" and the emotional relationship between Ryan and Sydney showed the potential this cast has for grounded, authentic storytelling. The technical elements, particularly sound design and lighting design, supported the production effectively. The multi-dimensional set design created visual interest and utilized. The vocal talent in this company is evident, and there were many moments that showed the depth this ensemble can achieve. Thank you for your dedication to this challenging material. Congrats on a successful production!

 

5.      Hello, Central Bucks High School West. I want to congratulate you on your production of Ranked. This was a fun performance in what is shaping up to be an exciting season. Throughout this performance, you all maintained energy, physicality, and character. Your vocal blend was powerful. I was impressed by how you listened to each other and sounded like one unit. There are a lot of good things happening here. You're in a very good place, and I can't wait to see what you do next.

 

6.      This was such a fully realized envisioning of Ranked! The show was sleek and expertly performed by your extremely talented kids. HIGHEST praise goes to the ensemble vocals. Wow! Choral yet activated narratively. I wonder how I would've responded to the prompt of a "dystopia" as a director. You painted with a very fine brush in this area. I always enjoy hearing you speak at the beginning. You really do honor the "community" aspect of HS theater in that moment, without overshadowing the show or diminishing it's professional-grade quality. Thank you for having me for a third year in a row. You present phenomenal work and tonight was no exception.

 

7.      The performances across the cast were incredibly strong, and it's clear that every individual put their heart into this show. There are so many vibrant vocalists in this program and their talent was cultivated beautifully to create this production. Their voices showcased their emotions so well and I felt transported back to when I was in high school, feeling everything I felt when I was trying to find my place in the world. The emotions from the whole cast was so strong and clear, which also seemed heightened by the fact that this was the last performance. It was obvious how much this show meant to these high schoolers, and I wish that I had gotten the chance to give everything to a show like Ranked the way these performers so clearly did. This production demonstrated beautifully how lighting, sound, projections, and crew can work together to create a cohesive show that is grounded so strongly in the truth of the characters. The lighting reinforced sound cues, showing how disruptive and impactful it was to have everyone's phone go off to announce the new ranks. The projections highlighted just how public the humiliation is and how much it permeates every aspect of the lives of these characters. This show was a standout in what is shaping up to be a very competitive year. The performances and technical prowess from the cast and crew were clear, showing both how talented these high schoolers are and also how well this production was put together. Coordinating this rehearsal schedule with Macbeth must have been incredibly difficult, and everyone involved in this production should be incredibly proud of what they achieved. Congratulations on being chosen to perform this musical again at the festival! It's very well deserved. With a season of so many talented shows in the area, Ranked stands tall as one full of immense talent and heart.

 

8.      The students in Ranked authentically captured the stress and pressure that so many high schoolers feel, grounding the show in a relatable and meaningful way. The large ensemble choreography was tight and visually engaging. The dance ensemble offered creative movement choices; The whole ensemble infused the production with energy and connection, particularly in the group numbers, which were among the show's most decisive and captivating moments. Sydney and her squad formed a cohesive and entertaining ensemble, providing welcome comedic relief during heavier scenes. The "Below Average" ensemble shone in "Not Today." Come Up for Air was a standout number. Each vignette landed with emotional clarity, and together they created a powerful turning point in the show. The production featured several impressive technical elements. The lighting design beautifully supported the show's mood. Ranked was a strong, consistent production and an exciting entry in what is shaping up to be a dynamic season. The cast and crew's commitment was evident in every detail, and their collaboration brought the story to life with heart and clarity. Ranked was an engaging, thoughtful performance that highlighted the care, creativity, and teamwork of everyone involved.

 

9.      This show had such talent! The leads… gave fantastic vocal performances. I enjoyed seeing the ensemble members giving their own interpretations of the story throughout the show - it was very fun to see different people reacting to scenes in different ways. The Above Average students and the Below Average students separated themselves nicely through physical movements. Technically I was impressed with how immersive this show was, from the signs in the lobby to the signs in the bathroom! This was a tight show and kept me engaged the whole time with pacing. I love that you chose a contemporary show that's extremely relevant today. This was a wonderful experience and a fantastic show from start to finish. I absolutely adored this show.