Friday, June 2, 2017

reviews - LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL - Spotlight Youth Theatre

Cate Carlino, Addison Bowman, and Sarah Pansing
photo by Joanne Wastchak
highlights from local critics reviews - (click link at bottom of each review to read complete review)

Click here for more information on this production that runs through June 11th.

"...Legally Blonde The Musical has not only become a global hit, but has proved to be a winner in regional theatres across the country on a grand scale....Spotlight Youth Theatre’s ...production ...shows continuous creativity within its budgetary constraints by the inventive ways it presents its story....What the show lacks in costly production values is surpassed in several ways by the high-energy of the talented, youthful ensemble...Mark and Lynzee 4man...have complete creative control over all aspects, and it’s their specialty of song and dance that elevates all production numbers....Lynzee appears to have pushed the cast to its fullest potential as dancers, while husband Mark as music director and co-director has drawn powerful voices to the cast’s best abilities. ... Jacob Herrara’s Warner impresses, while Addison Bowman shows all the right comedic chops required to give her Elle Wood life. ...Sam Primack as the likable Emmett who comes across as the show’s most natural performer. ...with rarely a misstep...Spotlight has embraced the lovable nonsense as tightly as it can, which is exactly what should happen in order for the fluffy pink musical comedy to work, and it’s here, with the collaboration of the experienced 4man’s leadership behind every aspect, where it truly does." -David Appleford, Valley Screen and Stage (click here to read the complete review)

".The 2007 musical Legally Blonde the Musical has become quite a staple in youth theatres and it's easy to see why. With its hilarious book and a score full of varied music and witty lyrics it provides a fun, upbeat story of empowerment and the importance of being true to yourself—qualities that prove quite powerful when performed by a group of talented teens. Spotlight Youth Theatre's current production features some of the most gifted youth performers in the Valley under the keen direction of powerhouse husband and wife duo Mark and Lynzee 4Man....As Elle, Addison Bowman is simply infectious and full of life in a vibrant performance..Her beautiful voice soars on Elle's many songs in a portrayal that truly succeeds. Sam Primack hits all the right marks as Emmett in a polished performance that features a solid singing voice and subtle acting choices ..Bowman and Primack also form a very cute and realistic couple. Lily Castle is an absolute joy as Paulette, with a stunning singing voice and fun Boston accent that add humor and a big shot of charm to everything Paulette says or sings. Jeremy Bassham provides plenty of snark and a huge ego as the slimy Professor Callahan, while Jacob Herrera gets the right balance of snobbery and uncertainty as Warner. In smaller parts, both Sarah Pansing and Jasmine Bassham are great as Warner's new girlfriend Vivienne and Brooke, an accused murderess Callahan and his students are helping to defend, respectively. Pansing's exceptional voice gets to wail on a couple of songs, and Bassham's performance of that act two opening jump rope routine is stunning. Joey J. Grado is full of heat and passion as the hunky UPS man Paulette gets tongue-tied over, and Ava Tyson, Maya Weber and Alyssa Armstrong are simply hilarious as the "Greek chorus" of Elle's sorority sisters who add moments of spark and sass to their many moments on stage. With an exceptional cast, succinct direction, and solid creative elements, Spotlight Youth Theatre's Legally Blonde the Musical is a joyous production filled with an abundance of humor but also a huge amount of heart. " -Gil Benbrook, Talkin' Broadway (click here to read the complete review)

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