“Dada Teen Musical: The Play” Dupes the Cheaters—at Central Works
High school senior Mariah (Chanel Tilghman) just wants to make cool art, in the proto-punk style of the Ramones. Photos by Robbie Sweeny
Maury Zeff’s High School Comedy Exposes the “Deal”
by Jenyth Jo
Playwright Maury Zeff’s high school characters explore cheating as an educational strategy. If you’re looking for a musical, you won’t find it here. Instead, Zeff channels Hugo Ball, who claimed Dada provides “an opportunity for the true perception and criticism of the times we live in.”
If you’re afraid of Dada, don’t be. Here, nonsense is rendered through a hilarious romp through “dank” teen culture, with students who believe they must master the art of the deal as well as SAT’s.
Allen Coyne’s superb nerdy presentation of the hilarious Dada-loving calculus teacher Mr. Dorfman contrasts beautifully with designer-dressed “It” girl, Annabel. Watching Zoe Chien charm and bulldoze everyone is almost as fun as watching Jacob Henrie-Naffaa’s Tyler, the trickster male lead who must be modeled after a young Donald Trump.
Tyler’s tax-evading father sets up a non-profit so his son can bribe his way out of misdeeds and mistakes. But first, Tyler needs to find his missing calculus cheat sheet. When teacher Dorfman instantly recognizes the paper, he threatens to report Tyler’s dishonesty. Sly Tyler’s multiple attempts to “fix” this problem reveal the depths of his “privilege” and Dorfman’s naiveté.
The popular rich kid in high school manages to explode Mr. Dorfman’s (Alan Coyne) career.
Fashionista Annabel concocts a scheme to create a Dada version of the Sound of Music, to enhance her Harvard application. But Annabel has no idea what Dada is.
Annabel needs Dorfman’s support for her theater scheme, pouting perfect lips to recruit the nervous teacher. Dorfman cannot resist the idea of a dadaist anti-musical.
Director Gary Graves effectively stages Coyne’s duels with Annabel and Tyler, providing rich comedy. All the actors provide laugh-out-loud moments.
Outsider Mariah (magnetic Chanel Tilghman) shuns the popular kids’ silly musical. Because they need Mariah’s talent, Tyler invents lies about her favorite band, The Ramones. The audience groans as she caves and joins the spoiled kids.
Tilghman’s Mariah transcends the stereotypical Goth Girl, creating a very likable musician with growing charisma. Yet she’s the outsider, who dresses in all black thrift clothes. When she accuses Tyler of “grooming her,” we cheer. Will she be the whistleblower?
Tyler (Jacob Henrie-Naffaa) and Annabel (Zoe Chien) believe that the way to create Dadaist Art is to “Curve the Line.”
Mariah opposes “the throng” of crazy teens. Tilghman’s flexible voice soars, enhancing Zeff’s lyrics and Alex Mandel’s music:
Like a Buddhist ko-an, they say
the show, it must go on.
So it seems it's me or no one.
I guess I'm puttin' a show on.
Irony is humorous here. Koans? Tyler and Annabel have none. They lie and cheat to complete their transactions. A mindful life full of happy emptiness and non-attachment to things is what Mariah seeks. She emerges as the true rock star.
Who is going to stand up to the cheaters around us? Who will face down the bullies?
“Dada Teen Musical” provides satisfying poetic justice for those who do not deserve the privileges they enjoy. This timely play advocates for new truths instead of old lies, giving all of us hope.
“Dada Teen Musical: The Play” by Maury Zeff, directed by Gary Graves, music by Alex Mandel, sound design by Greg Scharpen, lights by Gary Graves, costumes by Tammy Berlin, at Central Works, Berkeley.
Info: centralworks.org - to November 16, 2025.
Cast: Chanel Tilghman, Jacob Henrie-Naffaa, Zoe Chien, and Alan Coyne.
