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If you live in the London Area or you are willing to come down from Toronto, Windsor, Hamilton, Kitchener or Waterloo and you want to see a great production of musical theatre, you need to get on the phone or on-line and get your tickets to see Legally Blonde at The Grand Theatre in London… You need to go NOW… I mean right away… Yes, NOW… GO…GO…GO.
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This year’s High School Project is just plain fun!
Around since 1998, the High School Project brings together London’s most talented youth to put together the whole package – a full theatrical production. Students are involved in the entire production (building sets, wardrobes, lighting and are part of the orchestra). The dancers, singers and actors are just one piece of this puzzle. All have the opportunity to work with theatre professionals. Directed by Susan Ferley, the production was well put together. There are productions in both the fall and the spring.
I think that this production was great, fantastic s.p.e.c.t.a.c.u.l.a.r. It was performed in the 839 seat iconic Grand Theatre. Although the show was not sold out… it should have been. Many don’t take these production as seriously as they should. We have incredibly talented students in London if this play is any measure of that fact we will have great professional productions at The Grand in the future.
Just because this is put on by high school students, DO NOT MAKE THE MISTAKE of thinking this is not professional theatre. You would be making a huge mistake. This production is so well put together, entertaining and funny you won’t regret it.
The unfortunate part is that there are only 7 more performances left! So try to catch the show starting at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday or 8 pm Friday and Saturday night. There are also only two more 2 pm matinees on Wednesday or Saturday.
Let me tell you why I LOVED it so much. First and foremost the cast is extremely talented, the choreography was so well done and the sets were simple but effective.
The lead, Elle, played by Sophia Noguera finds herself heartbroken because she gets dumped by her dream boy, Warner Huntington III to start his prominent political career by attending Harvard Law school. Not to be defeated by class Elle works hard to also get into Harvard Law. You know that our unflinching heroine does just that!
Her sorority sisters see Elle through her woes and are there to keep encouraging her as she struggles to blend into the uptight and snobby Harvard campus. This chorus of sorority sisters is an integral part of the story. They are funny, charming, great dancers and really wonderful singers. Many stand out from the ensemble but one of my favourites was Isabella Wolder whose voice held strong and steady through the show.
Another stand out in this production is the hair salon owner, Paulette Buonufonte, played so well by Natalia Martin. Her voice was strong and balanced. She played the role exceptionally well. The playful interaction between her and Kyle was a highlight of the show according to my daughter.
I have to agree that Kyle, the UPS guy was an unforgettable part and well played by, Henry Firmston. I had serious problems trying to contain my laughter when he confidently waltzed on the scene as the manly and self-assured UPS guy. Truly his direction from show director Susan Ferley was nothing short of genius. He stole the show in just a few scenes. That is the beauty of a good show… there are little gems of genius scattered throughout a performance. This is what you find throughout this marvellous production.
I kid you not, this has to be one of the best productions I have ever seen at The Grand Theatre. To think that this is ‘just’ a high school production is … well… incredulous.
All the leads were strong and I especially like Emmett, played by Jake Schindler. His honest, unpretentious portrayal of a teaching assistant was convincing and well cast. The only thing is he needs a belt for his suit and it needs to be tailored it seemed to long for him. Just a detail but something I noticed. The other surprisingly mature portrayal was that of the cad Professor Callahan, portrayed by Joel Kennedy. He had great presence and once again… a great strong singing voice. He never lost focused on being ‘the serious, immoral’ lawyer. His portrayal was well beyond his youth. I just loved him!
When you go… (not if you go) you need to look out for a few great songs: Whipped Into Shape (fantastic choreography), Bend and Snap (really, the title says it all) and any of the songs where the ‘guardian angels’ show up.
The choreography was so good and so much fun. There are too many little details that this cast and this production got right. If this is what our future theatre productions are going to be like… well… I will be a regular attendee!
out of 5
Productions: Legally Blonde
Where: The Grand Theatre London Ontario
Tickets: over the phone or on-line
Production run: September 17 – Saturday, September 28th, 2013
All Photos are Courtesy of The Grand Theatre, London with credit given to Claus Andersen, Legally Blonde 2013.
No payment or compensation was received for this review. This opinion is strictly my own.
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Margarita Ibbott is a travel and lifestyle blogger. She blogs about travel in Canada, the United States and Europe giving practical advice through restaurant, hotel and attraction reviews. She writes for DownshiftingPRO.com and other online media outlets.
They were in Vancouver a couple months ago but i didn’t know about it until they were gone…i was so said since it’s one of my favourite movies 🙁