The latest offering by Act2 Visual and Performing Arts School features an enthusiastic cast who look to be enjoying themselves.
Based on the Broadway musical and motion picture, Legally Blonde JR. follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes, snobbery and scandal in pursuit of her dreams.
The story sees Elle take matters into her own hands when her high school boyfriend, Warner, dumps her and heads to Harvard, claiming she’s not “serious” enough.
Charming her way into law school, she befriends classmate, Emmett, and slightly left-field hairdresser, Paulette.
During her time at school, Elle finds that books and looks aren’t mutually exclusive and as Elle begins outsmarting her peers, she realizes that law may be her natural calling after all – and dumps the idea of winning Warner back.
As lead Elle Woods, Maddi McCarthy has a lot of work to do and performs expressively, interacting well with her fellow cast members, most of whom have to cope with a range of parts – and that dreaded potential pitfall of working with animals – both of which also perform well.
The students look well-rehearsed, working tightly as an ensemble to not only present Elle’s progression but also rearrange the set as required in the hour and a quarter long performance.
Notable alongside McCarthy are Ronan Walton’s bouncing hip delivery man Kyle, Jenna McLeod’s self-assured fitness guru Brooke Wyndham who Elle must defend against an accusation of murdering her husband and Leon Hill in his role as the dictatorial Professor Callahan. Sofia Baker is suitably flaky as Paulette and Holly Stanisic (Vivienne Kensington) proves that characters with dark hair can also be complex and not two-dimensional.
All of the actors however have obviously worked hard on inhabiting their various characters.
The ensemble singing is for the main stronger than when some individual voices have to advance the storyline, but these will mature in time.
Legally Blonde JR. is on at Act2’s new premises at 4/10 Matai Street April 25-26 and May 1-3. Tickets can be found at Legally Blonde Jr Tickets, ACT2 Visual and Performing Arts School, Taupo | TryBooking New Zealand
Caption: Maddi McCarthy as Elle Woods surrounded by other cast members.
