The Cream Rises to the Top

National Merit – BoHo Theatre

Throughout our entire lives in this country, competition is paramount. We’re taught—indeed, brainwashed—to strive to always be the best at everything and never settle for being “average.” With this in mind, high school juniors are encouraged by their parents and academic counselors to study for and take the grueling PSAT, or the Preliminary Scholarship Aptitude Test. The purpose of this highly stressful activity is to compete for scholarships and admission to the nation’s top colleges and universities. 

The idealized mission behind the National Merit Scholarship Corporation is to recognize and acknowledge this country’s academically gifted. In preparing for the 2 hour and 45 minute ordeal, a student is advised to take a mock test, to determine his potential and shortcomings. Then the student can prepare for the actual PSAT and SAT by enrolling in a class, often sponsored by their high school, to learn how to better take the timed test and to help increase his score. The pressure to achieve is intense. The corporation’s goals are to instill a deeper respect for learning, to shine a spotlight on the most brilliant students in the nation, and to stimulate support from organizations and individuals to sponsor their own scholarships. 

On paper, this program sounds like a perfect way to motivate the academically gifted and talented student toward financial rewards for their excellence. Besides, it’s always said that the cream rises to the top, and that’s often the theory in teaching, learning and getting ahead at work. But in real life, sadly it’s not always that cut and dry. In Chicago-based playwright Valen-Marie Santos’ world premiere one-act drama, BoHo Theatre’s first in-person production since the pandemic shut down Chicago’s theaters, we get to meet the real teenagers behind the statistics.

Alex (played with absolute authority by Juan Gonzalez Machain) is the young teacher charged with instructing his class of six 11th graders to prepare for the PSAT. The play is set at a private, New England high school, where expectations are always high; and his study group is as varied in skill and talent, as it is ethnically diverse. Alex is assisted by Jenny, played by Magdalena Dalzell, as a perky, idealistic senior student, who’s always looking for ways to bring positivity to the program through her cheerleading. In spite of her heartfelt efforts, the students in this class each have their own personal problems, rosters of skills and reasons to achieve with which to deal.

Melissa, played with a stirring, intense realism by Amber Washington, is seemingly the perfect student. She’s kind of aloof with the other students, as well as with the teacher. However, as the play progresses we discover that the pressure she’s created for herself to be the absolute best, particularly as the only African-American student in the study group, is so intense that the youngster is on the verge of crumbling. She’s matched in brilliance by the smooth, naturalistic portrayal of Ariana by Maddie Powell. This character is the antithesis of Melissa. She seems so laid-back and confident, totally immersed in her own world of classical music, but with a hidden secret about her brother that colors her spirit. Both of these characters seem to be loners by choice. But in reality, each of these girls would like nothing more than to have a best friend. Together, these two young actors really make this production come alive and sizzle.

The other students each have their moments to shine. Camila, played with style and grace by Tatiana Bustamante, is an attractive teen with aspirations as a fashionista or a costume designer. Portrayed by Alex Rocha, Cisco is her best friend. He only wants only to make his father proud of him—either with his PSAT score or by winning the race as class president. Jax, nicely played by Justin Kuhn, is a privileged white student, who has managed to coast through life on his jokes and good looks. Earning a high PSAT score isn’t his highest priority because he sees himself as the Golden Boy. And easy-going, good-natured Yash, played with a quiet authenticity by Sripadh Pulligilla, is a good kid who seems to take life as it comes. He effortlessly befriends other students. He’s best friends with Jax, until a certain incident angers and disappoints him. At that time, Yash finds comfort in Ariana’s friendship as they share their views and ideas during a break.

Enrico Spada does a nice job guiding his young cast, often employing Henry Muller’s lighting to give focus to specific characters in various scenes. Sound designers Payton Kaye and Vija Lapp add color and texture to the production with the clock ticking and other effects that add a nightmare quality to this slice of life for high school students everywhere.

Although the production feels a little too long, BoHo Theatre has returned with another story that examines and celebrates human relationships. Valen-Marie Santos’ new play is an impressive look at how the PSAT program isn’t everything that it appears to be. In an effort to coach high school students to reach their full potential and earn high scores on the test, a great deal of pressure is put upon these teenagers. 

While juggling grades, all kinds of personal problems and outside stress, kids are being indoctrinated by their parents and schools to strive, at any cost, for scholarships and entrance into prestigious colleges and universities. It doesn’t matter what the students want personally for their own lives. This is, after all, the American Dream. Average isn’t good enough. They must achieve superiority. So studying every waking moment, memorizing the test, losing sleep, denying individual goals, cheating, even buying their way to success—any method that works is okay, just as long you are the best. Sure, the cream rises to the top, but along the way it’s often curdled.       

Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented August 25-September 25 by BoHo Theatre at Theater Wit, 1229 W Belmont Ave., Chicago.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 773-975-8150 or by going to www.bohotheatre.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.