Theater Review: 'Legally Blonde The Musical' by CYT/CSC

OMG You Guys! The City Youth Theater/City Stage Company will present “Legally Blonde The Musical” for the next two weekends on the stage at Crosby High School in Waterbury,

“She’s not your average lawyer”

There is plenty of pink in this musical with a book by Heather Hach and fun music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin. The tale of Elle Woods is based on the novel by Amanda Brown and of course, the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film.

Shelby C. Davis, the executive director and founder of CYT/CSC, notes that the show is “a celebration of determination, creativity, and heart…Her journey is one of empowerment.”

Director/Choreographer Michael Ricciardone knows that “Legally Blonde” is a perfectly written contemporary musical and that it will be remembered for serving as a game changer in the theater scene–commercially and artistically. “Elle’s ability to overcome obstacles and persevere with grace, loyalty, and love is inspiring to us all. I wanted us to always feel we are inside Elle’s determined psyche–an unapologetically pink world that takes us space and honors individuality,” the director notes.

Chloe Zito, a junior Psychology major at CCSU, is perfectly poised in the role of Elle, carrying the weight of an impressive amount of the script. Donovan Shaw brings tons of onstage charm and wonderful singing voice to the role of Emmett Forest in his CSC debut. Shaw appeared in “Angels in America” and the stellar “Next to Normal” at WCSU and is the current drama teacher at Kinsella Magnet School of Performing Arts. He dedicates this performance to his diverse and talented young students.

Bella Renee Delgado-Babcock throws herself in the role of hairdresser Paulette Bonafonte (“Ireland”) in her CYT/CSC debut. The talented young actor worked with Ricciardone in Landmark’s “Spelling Bee” in which I was delighted to be a guest speller. Tori Sperry (Zaneet Shinn in “The Music Man”) shines in the role of Vivienne Kensington and Mike Zimmerman embodies the role of the shallow Warner Huntington III.

Joshua Brooks (“Mystic Pizza”) is imposing in the role of Harvard’s Prof. Callahan (“Blood in the Water.”)

As a fellow “Daughter of Delta Nu,” Elysia Ring-Howell plays Margot, Yamnkela Jack Lutz stands out as Serena and Jozsef Herczeg is perfectly cast in the role of Pilar. Herczeg has such amazing stage presence in his first production with CYT. Grace Snowden (Regina George in a production of “Mean Girls”) is fun to watch in her featured role as Harvard Law student Enid Hoopes.

Kristi Yurko returns to the stage after a car accident in the important role of the accused fitness guru Brooke Wyndham. Yurko recently was stage manager/assistant director for the excellent “In the Heights” with Get Up Stage Company and it was an honor to watch her back up on the stage where she belongs.

The members of the ensemble work hard to cover a long list of delightful supporting roles and dance well the fun choreography, especially for the opening number and “Blood in the Water.” Jamie Misuraca (Joey Primo in “Rock of Ages”) has fun with the roles of Aaron Shultz, Carlos and Kiki the Colorist and Xavier Chu, who I have seen work on the Pomperaug High School stage, plays Sundeep Padamadan and Lowell. The ensemble also includes Josh Aiello (CYT debut,) Ivy Wallace (Sandy in “Grease,”) Kara Starkey (CYT debut,) Ciara Proulx, CCSU student Corrinne Dandelski, Elliot Jacovino, Leah Marie (“Hairspray,”) Michael Negron (CYT debut,) and Halo Award winner Vidya Sagendorf.

The beautiful Ivy has two “carry ons” in the important role of Bruiser Woods. Ivy works as a service dog at Bristol Arts Innovation Magnet School (BAIMS) where she has performed as Bruiser with GetUp Stage Company. She thanks her owner Alida for “letting her embrace her inner theater girl.”

With the help of the show’s designers, Ricciardone brings the Y2K aesthetic to the staging, choreography and all things pink. The director worked with John Ricciardone to put together the perfectly pink and massive scenic design. I loved the frame of ever-changing lights at the top of the staircase. Harry Blackwell and the multi-talented Misuraca were the scenic artists.

Ricciardone is a director/actor based in CT and NYC with a slew of impressive credits. He holds a BFA from WCSU. Associate Director Bobby Earl Henry, a member of Actors’ Equity and best friend of Ricciardone, has designed costumes that perfectly capture each of the characters in Elle’s orbit, with a “Serious” amount of changes for the title blonde. Props designed by Frank Cienki, Joshua Brooks and Leah Marie complete the look of the scenes.

In his third show with CYT, Music Director Nathan McCuin conducts the orchestra that is packed into a corner at stage left and never overpowers the vocalists. Hilary Lang designed the lighting, with Charles Cull as sound designer. Kristi Yurko is the assistant choreographer. Ray Sanders makes their CYT debut as the busy production stage manager.

Many thanks to the production team, cast and crew for allowing me to attend their final dress rehearsal for my review.

“Legally Blonde” is presented with a 15-minute intermission and runs about two and a half hours. The musical is appropriate for families. Performances are Oct. 17 - 19 and Oct. 25 - 26.

I cannot wait for CYT/CSC’s season 6, which will include “Water for Elephants,” “Jagged Little Pill,” and “SpongeBob.” Season passes are available online. thecyt.com

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theater reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, and she posts well over 100 reviews each year. She became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle in 2016. Her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted in the Naugatuck Patch as well as the Patch sites closest to the venue. She was a feature writer and theater reviewer for the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on @nancysjanis417 Check out the CCC Facebook page.