SV Community School Players to debut “Legally Blonde: The Musical”—the Gen Z ‘woke’ version
By Eric Valentine
When you tally up the aches and pains suffered across the industries impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, education and theater run a close second to—of course—healthcare itself. That means at 7 p.m. on Thursday night when the theater department at Sun Valley Community School kicks off three nights of what could be sold-out musical performances on the private school’s main stage, COVID’s collateral damage will begin to see signs of significant repair.
And, the performers—all of whom have been staying COVID-free and adhering to strict standard-of-care procedures for mitigating the novel coronavirus—have been cleared by the city to perform on stage mask-free. Audience, crew, and even the actors while backstage are still required to wear face coverings while indoors.
Act I—The Show Must … Get Changed
Given theater director Kevin Wade’s self-acknowledged penchant for darker material—last year, during the pique of the virus scare, the school produced “Les Miserables”—one would anticipate a musical of similar emotional impact, or at least one that ponders the polarization we see across the politics of this land. Instead, they’ll be applauding “Legally Blonde: The Musical”—an early 2000s rom-com turned franchise (there were two sequels produced by the time the musical was made) that Roger Ebert described as “a featherweight comedy balanced between silliness and charm” and “impossible to dislike.” It’s hardly in the arena of “Les Miserables” or “Hamilton” and that’s a good thing.
“I was encouraged, that with everything going on for over a year now, to deliver something light,” explained Wade. “I can go dark in the spring,” the veteran teacher of five years said.
While the material is light—and wildly popular as both movie and Broadway musical—producing an in-person show is not, considering everything involved with returning students to in-person schooling, vaccine controversies, and a variety of economic insecurities. And when a two-decades-old story provides negative stereotyped characterizations of, in this case, a character who is gay, heavy lifting is required to make certain revisions that stand up to current-day mores.
For the most part, Wade had the students decide what lines and verses had to go. The Community School alum noted a general consciousness of empathy present in Gen Z and a particular emotional intensity in kids who gravitate toward theater and the arts.
“This is a generation that really cares. These are the kids who wear their hearts on their sleeves,” Wade, a graduate of the NYU Tisch School of the Arts and master of fine arts recipient from Harvard University, said.
Act II—The Show Must … Go On
“Everything seems ratcheted up right now … so naturally the anxiety level of the students is higher, too. And that has made the process move more slowly at times. “We’re just out of practice,” Wade acknowledged. “We all know that it’s the challenging life experiences that help us build our best performances. That’s what we’re hoping for this week.”
Hoping for and working toward that best performance is junior Rose Bicas-Dolgen, the lead actress who plays Elle Woods from sorority girl to Harvard Law School student. Close to 40 Upper School students are hard at work both on the stage and behind the scenes to bring this award-winning musical production to life. The musical is directed by Kevin Wade who, in addition to teaching theater, is the co-director of the Creative Arts Academy. It is choreographed by Megan Mahoney, a Middle and Elementary School music teacher at the school.
Audiences will be treated to the story of Elle Woods, whose perfect life is turned upside down when her boyfriend Warner dumps her to focus on attending Harvard Law School. Determined to get him back, Elle charms her way into the prestigious school. While there, she struggles with peers, professors, and her ex. With the support of some new friends, though, Elle quickly realizes her potential and sets out to prove herself to the world.
Junior Brady Giles plays Warner Huntington III, junior Charlie Coulter is Emmet Forrest, and senior Priya Merchant is Elle’s friend, Paulette.
“At first glance, Legally Blonde might look a little like cotton candy, but it is full of great writing, infectious tunes, and layers of substance. You’ll laugh the whole time, but you’ll probably also find yourself tearing up a bit. Oh, and there might be dogs!” Wade said.
LEGALLY BLONDE TICKETS ON SALE
Nov. 4, 5, 6
All shows at 7 p.m.
Directed by Kevin Wade
Elle Woods played by Rose Bicas-Dolgen
Sun Valley Community School Main Stage
Buy tickets @ tinyurl.com/wrweekly
(Masks + Social Distancing Required)