Smile
at Louis St. Laurent

Reviewed on April 28, 2016

Rajah Maggay
Archbishop MacDonald High School
Submitted for publication to Edmonton Journal 1

Past the clouds of hairspray, flurries of sashes, chunky cellphones, neon-coloured everything, and big, teased hair, was an inside look at one of the most cut-throat competitions a young, American, teenaged girl could ever undertake. Louis St. Laurent's recent performance of the satirical musical Smile dazzled and transported the audience into a whirl of beauty pageantry.

Loosely based on the 1975 comedy film of the same name, Smile was originally produced on Broadway in 1986. With the book and lyrics written by Howard Ashman and music by Marvin Hamlisch, Smile received a Tony Award nomination for Best Book of a Musical. Chronicling the happenings behind the curtains of the Young American Miss Pageant set in Santa Rosa, California, in 1985, Smile brings to light the moments of introspection experienced by those linked to the pageant.

Brenda DiCarlo Freelander, one-time contestant and now coordinator of the Young American Miss Pageant, vicariously lives her former, almost-met glory through her contestants. Shining in this role was Julia Hummel, who provided a mature presence on stage, transitioning from heartfelt moments to humour in the number The Very Best Week of Our Lives. Opposite Hummel was Jonathan Kalule as family man Big Bob Freelander, juxtaposing the pageant world with that of family life.

Darby Gynane and Jackie Kucey delivered knockout performances as Doria Hudson and Robin Gibson, roommates quickly turned close friends. Kucey portrayed the tender-hearted Robin, radiating in moments of great vulnerability. She also revealed Robin in her moments of growing self-assurance with laudable commitment in renditions of Dear Mom and In Our Hands. As Doria Hudson, Gynane flawlessly tackled the role of a southern belle and pageant veteran. Embodying their characters with precision and incredible chemistry, the two offered support through a sinuous journey of character development. In the stunning number Disneyland, Gynane's beautiful vocals were front and centre, also showcasing the more than impressive technical work within the production.

Mitchell Pawluk, as the elusive choreographer Tommy French, exuded unwavering commitment to his character with comedic excellence. Equally funny was Maite Gonzalez-Latorre, as Maria Gonzales, a pageant contestant with an affinity for making guacamole.

Anchoring the production were the exceptionally talented technical crew and ensemble. Despite their theatre being under renovations, the tech crew rose to the occasion with tight lighting transitions and the flawless use of 20 wireless microphones. The ensemble of the pageant girls sang with clarity and perfectly executed difficult harmonies while portraying characters that were relatable.

With its incredibly alluring buzz of energy, Louis St. Laurent's recent performance of Smile revealed that the greatest accolade anyone could win is that of self-discovery.

Garrett Waschuk
Austin O'Brien
Submitted for publication to Edmonton Journal 2

With a week full of stylish dresses, big hair and competition, the cast, crew and audience were all grinning cheek to cheek at Louis St. Laurent's musical Smile. Directed by Vern Slipetz, the show ran from April 27th to 30th in LSL's new theatre.

Showing off their inner beauty, the cast was able to bring new life to the show written originally for Broadway in 1986 by Marvin Hamlisch and Howard Ashman. The show was based loosely on the 1975 motion picture with the same title, following the events of the contestants at Santa Rosa's state pageant. From sabotage to new friendships, the story shows that sometimes the only way to succeed is to be yourself. Individual plots all intertwined, highlighting how every character was important to the storyline and creating a fascinating world to be immersed in, while memorable songs fitting the time period were sure to catch all ears in the audience.

The stage design featured a versatile scrim that allowed multimedia to be projected onto it throughout the show. It was conveniently placed so that in certain scenes it was able to create a room or specific area, while in other scenes it allowed for the cast to be seen through it and create a new atmosphere. The lighting and sound, designed and run by Julia Palmer, Sarah Davis, Lauren Frey, Chris Mann and Liam Newbigging, overcame difficulties with the performance space and operated flawlessly, creating the perfect environment in which the actors could excel.

The ensemble really made the show amazing. Their general appearances and attitudes gave the show a comedic but authentic feel, and their vocal abilities were impeccable, as they nailed challenging harmonies with ease. Actresses Darby Gynane, Jackie Kucey and Julia Hummel caught the audience's attention quickly with their unique personalities and aspirations, while using powerful vocals to stun all those listening. Other notable performances included Mitchell Pawluk, a charismatic actor portraying a sassy, impudent choreographer and Shevaun Adams, who was able to embody the sinister spirit of a rival who would do anything to win. The entire cast did a great job of creating a genuine ambience that made the plot interesting and gripping.

Overall, Smile was a musical that showed the power of friendship, trust and appreciation, and was a true pageant of all the talent at Louis St. Laurent. Its influential storyline matched the skills of the cast and crew who manifested a true spectacle that was memorable and admirable. The show was sure to have you laughing, dancing, singing, and most importantly, smiling!

Lauren Belter
Strathcona High School
Submitted for publication to Edmonton Journal 3

The stage is set in sunny Santa Rosa, 1985, where teenage pageant hopefuls gather to show off their charm, flair, and, of course, their dazzling smiles. Reviving the Broadway show Smile in their very own theatre, Louis St. Laurent delved into the rich world of all things beautiful with sublime harmonies and a boundless energy that left its audience grinning all night.

Based on the 1975 dark-comedy film of the same name, Smile is a light-hearted and high-energy tribute to beauty pageants, telling the story of a handful of bright-eyed young girls with the same dream: to be the 1985 Young American Miss. With music and lyrics written, respectively, by Marvin Hamlisch and Howard Ashman, Smile opened on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in 1986, where it quickly closed after only 48 performances, making it a musical rarely performed, especially by high schools. Louis St. Laurent, always on the lookout for unique drama opportunities, leapt at the chance to explore Smile's underappreciated charm.

At the heart of the musical, and of the pageant, are southern belle Doria Hudson and stage-shy Robin Gibson, two roommates who quickly become friends amid the craze of the competition. As Doria, Darby Gynane commanded the stage with gorgeous vocals, and only grew in confidence as the show went on, winning the hearts of the audience with her emotional dream to win her place in the Disneyland pageant. At her side was Jackie Kucey as Robin, the sweet and sensitive underdog that had audiences cheering her every move. The two shared fantastic chemistry and angelic voices made to harmonize together.

As pageant organizer and ex-pageant finalist Brenda DiCarlo Freelander, Julia Hummel was a strong anchor to the show, guiding the girls throughout, as her song puts it, the Very Best Week of Their Lives. Hummel impressed with her endearing character and lovely vocals. What truly brought the show to life was the ensemble; the drop-dead gorgeous girls sang, danced, and shone their hearts out on stage, never dropping their unbelievable energy. The Act One finale, Until Tomorrow Night, was an audience favourite and a prime example of the ensemble's commitment to the fast-paced and exuberant nature of the musical.

Embracing the challenge of a theatre under construction, the show's technical team designed and ran the backstage elements with ease. A pair of students, Chris Mann and Liam Newbigging, supported the troupe with an outstanding 20 mics, tackling every sound with precision and care, and making up for any missed cues with their dedication. The costumes by Rae Desmarais and Kailin Sthankiya were an eye-catching medley of colour and flash that reflected the light-hearted spirit of the '80s. The lighting by Julia Palmer and Sarah Davis stood out in Gynane's ballad Disneyland, where footage of the magic palace was projected onto a scrim. The daring move paid off, bathing Gynane in dancing light and leaving her glowing.

Louis St. Laurent's production of Smile exuded energy and left its audience discovering the beauty in everything and everyone.

Emily Martin
Strathcona High School
Submitted for publication to Edmonton Journal 4

What does it take to make a pageant queen? Charm, beauty, and perhaps a dazzling smile? Louis St. Laurent's high energy production of Smile takes a satirical glance at the cut-throat competition in the California State beauty pageant of 1985.

Smile is based on the 1975 film of the same name. The musical opened on Broadway on November 24, 1986 and closed after only 48 performances. It is considered a "lost" musical as there was never an official cast recording created of the music. That was until 2008, when an album was released composed of the songs from Smile.

The musical had an ensemble filled with smiles and charm. Each actor characterized as a pageant contestant carried herself through the show with grace and support. The ensemble as a whole was filled with incredible talent.

The dynamic duo of Robin Gibson and Doria Hudson (played by Jackie Kucey and Darby Gynane) captivated the audience with strong vocals and heart. Kucey held her ground in Smile as the underdog with her compassion and her shy charm. Her character was very grounded and stayed true to her beliefs. Gynane had the audience's attention with her impeccable wit as well as her commanding confidence. Her amazing vocals stunned the audience and carried their interest, especially when she sang about her dream to gain a place in the Disneyland pageant. When Kucey and Gynane were brought together, the energetic pair shared an evident chemistry like no other.

A notable performance of the night was the upbeat and sassy Tommy French (portrayed by Mitchell Pawluk) who just made the audience laugh out loud. His humour was perfectly timed and was an overall hit. His presence was that of the cheesy, '80s aerobic dance videos both in costume and in personality. Another humorous character that stole the show in Act One was the guacamole-loving Maria Gonzales (played by Maite Gonzalez-Latorre.) Her quirky charm was a highlight of the show and her talent portion in the beauty pageant made the audience roar with laughter.

The technical team had the challenge of their theatre being under construction, but they succeeded with ease; their hard work sparkled as much as the pageant dresses. Liam Newbigging and Chris Mann had the difficult task of running the jaw-dropping number of 20 wireless microphones within the show. They successfully met the challenge and problem-solved with precision. Rae Desmarais and Kailin Sthankiya enhanced the show's world with their fantastic costume designs. Everything from the spandex workout clothing and the leg warmers to the dazzling dresses and sashes appeared to be authentic. You also can't have the '80s without the poofy hair and the glittering makeup. Amy Borgeson, Deirdre Sprenger, Shanna Walchuk and McKenna Cowen were the talented team that created the look. Nothing looked out of place, making the audience feel like it stepped back in time.

Louis St. Laurent once again presented a memorable performance that was filled with friendship, beauty and energy.

Isabella Derilo
Strathcona High School
Submitted for publication to Edmonton Journal 5

Thrown into the world of sparkles, sass, and shoulder pads, Louis St. Laurent brought charm and extravagance to the 1986 Broadway musical, Smile. Exuding the confidence needed to be a part of the 1985 Young America Miss beauty pageant, the Smile cast and crew captivated the audience with spectacular characterization, beautiful vocals, and expert technical elements.

As the short-lived 1986 Broadway production and the 1975 film, Smile is a hidden gem within musical theatre. With daring music and lyrics written by Marvin Hamlisch and Howard Ashman, Smile satirically highlights the challenges and victories that come with competing to be a pageant queen. Nominated for the Tony Award for Best Book of Musical in 1987 and various Drama Desk awards, Smile continues as a beloved musical among theatre companies and high schools in North America.

Guiding and coordinating the pageant girls is Brenda DiCarlo Freelander, played with precision and promise by Julia Hummel. Living for 18 years with the Young America Miss heartbreak of only attaining the title of second-runner-up, Hummel exhibited the complexity of the busy and boisterous Freelander with professionalism and particularity. Soothing the audience with the vocals in The Very Best Week of Our Lives, Hummel anchored and conquered the pageant runway. Freelander's counterpart was the dedicated dad and husband, Big Bob Freelander, played by charming Jonathan Kalule. Contrasting in personality to his wife yet still succeeding in talent, Kalule brought light-hearted charisma to the complicated, crumbling relationship of Bob and Brenda.

Carrying the show with pearly whites and alluring personalities were the ensemble of Pageant Girls. Driving the storyline and subplots, the Pageant Girls unified as typical high school seniors turned competitive beauty queens with delicacy and individual choice. A specific pageant girl standout was the avocado-loving Maria Gonzales, played by Maite Gonzalez-Latorre, who established perfect comedic timing and memorable pizzazz. Leading the pageant girls were Doria Hudson (Darby Gynane) and Robin Gibson (Jackie Kucey). Effortlessly beautiful and vocally talented, Gynane and Kucey brought sincere specificity and honest, heartfelt performances. Helping each other get through the best week of their lives, the girls fight not only for the crown and sash, but more importantly, self-love and acceptance.

Securing the smiles weren't just those who were onstage but the strong technical team who lived offstage as well. Impeccable sound was executed by the duo of Liam Newbigging and Chris Mann. They mixed 20 wireless mics with astounding technical expertise, highlighting the consistent vocal strength within the cast. Lighting the stage with bright and sharp colours were the talented Julia Palmer and Sarah Davis. Respecting the time period of neon and glitter were the brilliant and artistic costume and makeup crew who invited us into the world of Spandex, leg warmers, and permed hair.

Louis St. Laurent brought poise, personality, and promise to the high-spirited musical Smile, all the while reminding audience members that everything certainly does go better with a smile...and shoulder pads.