Sweet Charity
at Mission Viejo High School

Reviewed on April 29, 2016

Rebecca Bogdanovic
San Juan Hills
Submitted for publication to OC Register

Love, Hope, and Heartbreak Set the Stage in Mission's "Sweet Charity"
by Rebecca Bogdanovic, a junior of San Juan Hills High School
for OC Register

A young woman's high pitched squeals fill the room as she flounders in a pond after having been pushed in by her heartless boyfriend. A hopeless romantic, Charity Valentine is no stranger to heartbreak. Yet through love's ups and downs, Mission Viejo presents saucy humor, psychedelic song, and heart- warming confessions of love in their dynamic production of "Sweet Charity."

Mary Desmond is the optimistic, love-stricken Charity Valentine. Flirty and energetic, Desmond turns quickly from a naïve young woman who desperately chases love, into a promiscuous dance hall hostess. Her quirky confidence elicits much laughter, especially as she excitedly struts around the stage in "If My Friends Could See Me Now."

Contrasting Charity's self-assured personality, Ben Sellers portrays the nervous Oscar Lindquist, a man with a plethora of anxieties. Through his hunched posture, wide, panicked eyes, and nervous habit of wringing his hands, Sellers embodies his character's idiosyncrasies, yet allows them to quickly fade away as he proclaims his undying love for Charity in "Sweet Charity."

With his clear, booming Italian accent and demanding presence, Ryan Livesay embodies the dashing movie star, Vittorio Vidal. Livesay commands the stage with his overconfident persona and alluring vocal tone, especially as he attempts to convince his haughty girlfriend Ursula (Bree Ben-Joseph) to stay with him. Together, Livesay and Ben-Joseph make a charming match, their voices mixing in sweet harmony in "Too Many Tomorrows."

Strutting seductively across the stage and utilizing tall posture, Jenna Luck and Kayla Morgan portray Nikki and Helene, cynical, sarcastic dancers who secretly dream of finding true love. The girls' strong, clear belt beautifully fills the room as they wistfully lament the pains of love in "Baby Dream Your Dream."

The ensemble brings a deeper element to the show, as their animated facial expressions and stunning vocals convincingly transport the audience to the counter culture movement in "Rhythm of Life."

From the very first note of the production to the last, the orchestra truly brings the show to life, setting the mood with the jazzy, sultry tunes of the era. The orchestra worked cohesively with the actors by not overpowering them, but at the same time playing with booming vigor and energy.

Through happiness and heartbreak, Mission Viejo's Sweet Charity reminds us that despite life's disappointments, one must maintain optimism in order to live "hopefully ever after."

Julia Gordon
San Juan Hills
Submitted for publication to OC Register

Mission Viejo captures hearts with ‘Sweet Charity'
Julia Gordon, a junior from San Juan Hills High School

Abounding in energy and enthusiasm, Mission Viejo High School's lively production of "Sweet Charity" follows Charity Hope Valentine, a dance hall hostess vying for a life on the outside, and her quest for love and a (hopefully) happy ever after.

Mary Desmond delivers a heart-stealing performance as Charity. Desmond's sweet, doe-eyed facial expressions and girlish giggles create a genuine air of love-struck hopefulness, but during "Big Spender," her provocative poses, sultry hip-swinging, and foxy, flirtatious voice reveal Charity's sensual side.

Contrasting Desmond's ingenuous character, Nikki (Jenna Luck) adds an edge of humor with her New York accent and blunt attitude. However, Nikki, Charity, and Helene (Kayla Morgan) all demonstrate immense character growth during "There's Gotta Be Something Better Than This;" Luck and Morgan's cynicism blossoms into ambition, and Desmond—abandoning her former attitude of resignation—stands tall and resolute as she belts out with conviction.

The Frug Dancers, led by Katie Van Horn, impress with their dynamism and technical skill as they slink and slither across stage during "Rich Man's Frug." Dressed in shimmering black dresses and suits, designed by Shekinah Bryant, the ensemble exudes elegance, each shimmy and sway in unison and in time with the orchestra.

Performing with zest and gusto, the orchestra expertly underscores the energetic, vivacious tone of the show. Percussion is precisely punctual, and brass is unabashedly bold. Additionally, the orchestra handles technical issues with ease, becoming quieter to allow the actors' voices to shine yet still maintaining its exuberance.

Two hilarious performances are from Vittorio (Ryan Livesay) and Oscar (Ben Sellers). Livesay, with a consistent and comedic Italian accent, entertains with his hyperbolic gesticulations and exclamations, and his puffed-out chest and booming voice emphasize his grandiose persona. On the other hand, Sellers, when trapped in an elevator, utilizes his excellent comedic timing as he frantically hyperventilates, curls into fetal position, and emits a high-pitched squeal, creating a humorously exaggerated portrait of panic.

The makeup design, created by Katie Agrela, works in conjunction with the costume design in order to characterize and represent various motifs throughout the show. For example, Charity is always seen wearing red, symbolizing her longing for love. Sweetheart necklines highlight her delightful personality, and her red lipstick accentuates her wide, beaming smile.

With a vibrant cast, talented crew, and ebullient orchestra, Mission Viejo delivers a humorous, hearty rendition of "Sweet Charity."

Jana Phillips
St. Margaret's Episcopal
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

The failed romances of "Sweet Charity" at Mission Viejo
Jana Phillips, a junor from St. Margaret's Episcopal High School
for OC Cappies Facebook

With a color scheme that matches the protagonist's last name (Valentine), Mission Viejo's production of "Sweet Charity" steals the hearts of many. The musical follows the story of Charity Hope Valentine (Mary Desmond), a dance hall hostess, and several of her failed romances. Jared Pugh, Ryan Livesay, and Jackson Maxwell effectively spread the word about this wonderful show with promo-videos that showcase the whole cast.

Mary Desmond is very energetic in her portrayal of Charity. Her exaggerated facial expressions effectively portray both the sheer energy of her character, as well as her quirkiness. The color scheme of her costumes (Shekinah Bryant) – black and red – and her bold makeup (Katie Agrela) makes her stand out in any scene.

Furthermore, she and her love interest, Oscar (Ben Sellers), work well together. The scene in which they meet for the first time (trapped in an elevator) is a wonderful example of this, as each tries to calm the other down. Oscar executes his part in the song "Bravest Individual" nicely as he simultaneously uses his voice to convey the anxiousness of his character at that time.

Jenna Luck as Nikki and Kayla Morgan as Helene set their characters apart through their commitment to their roles. Their duet "Baby Dream Your Dream," with its unique blend of both derision and wishfulness, is a stand-out moment in the show and does much to individualize their characters.

Another significant number, "Rhythm of Life" is equally unexpected and entertaining. In it, Jeffrey Baker as Big Daddy brings a fun vibrancy to the stage as his commitment to his character makes the song the success it is.

Katie Van Horn stands out in every number as an exceptional dancer. Each leap, turn, and arm movement is perfectly done, in such a way that she proves to be the main focus of every dance sequence.

Meanwhile, throughout the whole show, the Mission Viejo High School Orchestra is the bedrock for every number. With a strong execution of each song, the orchestra never misses a queue, matching up perfectly with the movements of every dance.

The show closes in the same way it ends, with a break up, as Oscar admits to Charity that he cannot look past her profession. However, true to Charity's middle name, the audience is still left with the hope that Charity will find love again.