A sea of pink filled the audience at The Columbia Theatre last weekend for The New Octavians production of “Legally Blonde The Musical Jr.”
With a cast of 47 talented students from all over the parish, this spectacular show truly entertained our community!
Directed by Brent Goodrich, “Legally Blonde” took us on a journey of self-discovery with Elle Woods, played by Olivia Nunnery, who used her amazing voice to act out this script. When Elle’s longtime boyfriend, Warner Huntington III, played by Konnor Burkes, breaks up with her by singing the ironically humorous song, “Serious,” she decides to apply to Harvard Law to follow him.
Soon Elle meets the handsome Emmett Forrest, played by Brennan Bankston, who sings in witty fashion “Chip on my Shoulder,” encouraging her to be strong. And it takes all of Elle’s strength when she watches Warner propose to law student Vivienne Kensington, played perfectly by Kaylee Sedberry.
Elle also finds support in her new friend from “The Hair Affair” salon, Paulette, played by Jenny Urbina, who sings “Ireland,” professing her dream to marry an Irish man instead of her horrid ex-boyfriend Dewey, played by the hysterical Braden Pellichino.
With the help of the “Bend and Snap,” led by Kiki, played by Juliet Addington, Paulette catches the attention of Irish UPS delivery guy Kyle, played by Layden Waguespack, who gained thunderous applause when he took a “snap” to the nose. Adding to the humor in this scene was the Stylist, played by Jaborei Perry; the cashier, played by Charlotte Crane; and the client, played by Emily Brouillette.
Helping with the choreography of this scene was Thomas Waguespack Jr. who danced as an ensemble member as well as functioning as a student director alongside Layla Guiteau who also played law student Kate.
Law school for Elle actually becomes “serious” when she assists in the legal defense of workout queen Brooke Wyndam. Played by Ivy Roberts, Brooke has several crowd-pleasing scenes, especially when she jumps glow-in-the-dark rope in unison with a group of exercise students including Sabrina, played by Andressa Comeaux; Lowell, played by Evelyn Bailey; Pforzeimer, played by Aria Davis; and Margot, played by Savannah Allen, all of whom were excellent dancers throughout the show.
The Harvard Law scene continues to intensify when Professor Callahan, played by Miles Addington, mistreats Elle. But Emmett convinces Elle to stay “Legally Blonde” in a beautiful duet sung by Brennan Bankston and Olivia Nunnery. And Elle’s decision is justified when she reveals Chutney, played by Maddie Markezich, as the real criminal.
In a grand finale scene “Delta Nu Sisters,” including Gaelen, played by Lainey Lavergne; Pilar, played by Julia Muguira; and Whitney, played by Lillian Candebat, sing another rendition of “Omigod you Guys” as Elle wins her case, graduates law school and proposes to Emmett. Included in this exceptional closing number were cast members Saleswoman, played by Caroline Kincaid; Store Manager, played by Gabrielle Vicknair; Winthrop, played by Isabella Pellichino; Aaron Shultz, played by Sal DeMarco; Sundeep, played by Olivia Dries; Enid Hoopes, played by Ally Hatch; Judge, played by Taylor Morgan; Pilot, played by Ryder Perez; and Prison Guard, played by Andrew Pellichino.
Of course, the last scene as well as many sweeping numbers throughout the show were elevated by the talented vocal and dancing skills of the ensemble members including Victoria Ballard, Aurora Brown, Madison Delatte, Landon DeMarco, Harper Fontenot, Kelly Foster, Taryn Knowels, Charly Morgan, Corrina Pellichino, Scarlette Schroeder, Camille Thornhill, Tenley Waddell, Shyann Waguespack and Luna Watts.
The crew for this exceptional production included assistant director Liz Addington, assistant choreographer Olivia Lowentritt, stage manager Margaret Dorignac, properties manager Stacie Pettit, technical assistants Colby Davidson, Annabelle Johnson, Aria Robinson and Melanie Tobin, and set designers Stephanie Bailey, Kathryn Hatch and Steven Goodrich, who did an incredible job building a Delta Nu Sorority house front as well as a salon and a courtroom.
Congratulations to this talented cast and crew for snapping together to bring this community such a professional and entertaining production of “Legally Blonde The Musical Jr.!”
Pamela Cali Bankston, R.N., is the published author of the Frizzy Frieda Books and a Hammond Regional Arts Center board member.
