Legally Blonde, the Musical
at Laguna Hills

Reviewed on April 27, 2018

Alex Mason
University
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Snaps for Laguna Hills' "Legally Blonde"
written by Alex Mason, a junior at University High School

It's every girl's dream to be beautiful, rich, adored, and… a lawyer? Laguna Hills High School's production of the famous musical "Legally Blonde" tells the story of Elle Woods, a California girl who chases her ex-boyfriend to Harvard Law School and finds that there is more to life than just looking pretty.

Sabrina Astle commands the stage as the iconic Elle Woods. Her powerhouse voice is showcased in the song "So Much Better" as she giddily celebrates an unexpected internship. Throughout the show, her bubbly personality shines through, powering through even the most difficult moments of her story with a "happy attitude".

Rudy Buttlar plays Emmett Forrest, an apologetic Harvard graduate trying to make it as a lawyer. When he first appears, he is somewhat shy, laughing nervously while speaking to the new students. Eventually, though, he gains the confidence to stand up to his boss, standing tall as he crosses to the judge's stand to defend Elle. Buttlar's chemistry with Astle is second to none, making the show believable and accessible to adults and teenagers alike.

Luke Morris plays Professor Callahan with a nonchalant and stern air, holding himself calmly before his students while reprimanding one for an incorrect answer. His tough personality and severe glare towards anyone who gets in his way easily portrays the pride that a Harvard professor would have in his position.

Paulette Buonufonte, played by Natalie Teuton, is energetic and kooky. As the owner of a beauty salon, she walks slightly off-balance in high heels, sticking her arms out dramatically to steady herself. Her brassy New England accent never wavers, and her excellent comedic timing brings hilarity to the performance.

The set, created by Jasper Lamas and the LHHS Set Building Team, uses moving pieces to represent different locales, such as a beauty salon or a department store. Elle's vanity is very detailed, painted in several shades of hot pink to match her vivacious personality.

Lily Fischer and Reilly Cleaver's costumes support the actors in creating their characters. Paulette's crazy ensemble of a leopard-print shirt, colorful socks, and neon platforms clearly distinguishes her as a woman without much fashion sense, as opposed to the cute pink tennis skirts of the popular sorority girls.

Overall, Laguna Hills' "Legally Blonde" brings both energy and depth to a show typically considered to be "fluff", creating an unforgettable performance.

Alex Mason
University
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Snaps for Laguna Hills' "Legally Blonde"
written by Alex Mason, a junior at University High School

It's every girl's dream to be beautiful, rich, adored, and… a lawyer? Laguna Hills High School's production of the famous musical "Legally Blonde" tells the story of Elle Woods, a California girl who chases her ex-boyfriend to Harvard Law School and finds that there is more to life than just looking pretty.

Sabrina Astle commands the stage as the iconic Elle Woods. Her powerhouse voice is showcased in the song "So Much Better" as she giddily celebrates an unexpected internship. Throughout the show, her bubbly personality shines through, powering through even the most difficult moments of her story with a "happy attitude".

Rudy Buttlar plays Emmett Forrest, an apologetic Harvard graduate trying to make it as a lawyer. When he first appears, he is somewhat shy, laughing nervously while speaking to the new students. Eventually, though, he gains the confidence to stand up to his boss, standing tall as he crosses to the judge's stand to defend Elle. Buttlar's chemistry with Astle is second to none, making the show believable and accessible to adults and teenagers alike.

Luke Morris plays Professor Callahan with a nonchalant and stern air, holding himself calmly before his students while reprimanding one for an incorrect answer. His tough personality and severe glare towards anyone who gets in his way easily portrays the pride that a Harvard professor would have in his position.

Paulette Buonufonte, played by Natalie Teuton, is energetic and kooky. As the owner of a beauty salon, she walks slightly off-balance in high heels, sticking her arms out dramatically to steady herself. Her brassy New England accent never wavers, and her excellent comedic timing brings hilarity to the performance.

The set, created by Jasper Lamas and the LHHS Set Building Team, uses moving pieces to represent different locales, such as a beauty salon or a department store. Elle's vanity is very detailed, painted in several shades of hot pink to match her vivacious personality.

Lily Fischer and Reilly Cleaver's costumes support the actors in creating their characters. Paulette's crazy ensemble of a leopard-print shirt, colorful socks, and neon platforms clearly distinguishes her as a woman without much fashion sense, as opposed to the cute pink tennis skirts of the popular sorority girls.

Overall, Laguna Hills' "Legally Blonde" brings both energy and depth to a show typically considered to be "fluff", creating an unforgettable performance.

Sydney Castiglione
Fullerton Union
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Legally Blonde at Laguna Hills is Anything but Serious
written by Sydney Castiglione, a sophomore at Fullerton Union High School

Stereotypes were made to be broken, especially ones about blondes. When Elle Woods goes to Harvard to follow her love, Warren Huntington the Third, she faces many trials but finds her way with the help of Emmett Forrest and her dog, Bruiser.

Sabrina Astle (Elle Woods) is captivating and spectacular in every way. Her vocals are absolutely incredible and never fall flat. Astle keeps a very bubbly persona throughout the whole performance and is truly captivating. Astle has terrific chemistry with Rudy Buttlar (Emmett Forrest). They both use each other's character choices to bring out the other sides of Elle and Emmett the fun they have together is obvious.

Natalie Teuton (Paulette Buonufonte) and Hannah Cole (Brooke Wyndham) both are two powerhouse stand-out performers. Teuton has terrific comic physicality and stays consistent with her accent and characterization. Cole shows incredible skill and stamina while singing and jumping rope in "Whipped Into Shape".

The three Delta Nu Girls, Julia Cornell (Serena), Ella Young (Pilar), and Mia Kinsella (Margot), are definitely memorable. Cornell is very peppy and energetic and really gives off that cheerleader spirit. Young makes a strong impression with her dancing abilities.

Collin Schofield (Nikos) is hilarious. During "Gay or European", Schofield does an amazing job of confusing the court. Whether he is flirting with the bailiff or claiming that he is straight, he is captivating. Schofield also has incredible chemistry with Justin Lobaton (Carlos), his gay lover. Together, they both have perfect comedic timing.

Anna Valencia (hair and makeup) does a great job of giving each character their own special look. For Elle, the use of light pinks help to open up the eyes, while also staying true to her "signature color". Jasper Lamas (set) creates a stage with lots of usable space. Using primarily wagon pieces to differentiate the locations, he takes the show to the next level with the ability to flow from one scene to another.

Legally Blonde at Laguna Hills is definitely a show that will make you want to scream "Omigod".

Sydney Castiglione
Fullerton Union
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Legally Blonde at Laguna Hills is Anything but Serious
written by Sydney Castiglione, a sophomore at Fullerton Union High School

Stereotypes were made to be broken, especially ones about blondes. When Elle Woods goes to Harvard to follow her love, Warren Huntington the Third, she faces many trials but finds her way with the help of Emmett Forrest and her dog, Bruiser.

Sabrina Astle (Elle Woods) is captivating and spectacular in every way. Her vocals are absolutely incredible and never fall flat. Astle keeps a very bubbly persona throughout the whole performance and is truly captivating. Astle has terrific chemistry with Rudy Buttlar (Emmett Forrest). They both use each other's character choices to bring out the other sides of Elle and Emmett the fun they have together is obvious.

Natalie Teuton (Paulette Buonufonte) and Hannah Cole (Brooke Wyndham) both are two powerhouse stand-out performers. Teuton has terrific comic physicality and stays consistent with her accent and characterization. Cole shows incredible skill and stamina while singing and jumping rope in "Whipped Into Shape".

The three Delta Nu Girls, Julia Cornell (Serena), Ella Young (Pilar), and Mia Kinsella (Margot), are definitely memorable. Cornell is very peppy and energetic and really gives off that cheerleader spirit. Young makes a strong impression with her dancing abilities.

Collin Schofield (Nikos) is hilarious. During "Gay or European", Schofield does an amazing job of confusing the court. Whether he is flirting with the bailiff or claiming that he is straight, he is captivating. Schofield also has incredible chemistry with Justin Lobaton (Carlos), his gay lover. Together, they both have perfect comedic timing.

Anna Valencia (hair and makeup) does a great job of giving each character their own special look. For Elle, the use of light pinks help to open up the eyes, while also staying true to her "signature color". Jasper Lamas (set) creates a stage with lots of usable space. Using primarily wagon pieces to differentiate the locations, he takes the show to the next level with the ability to flow from one scene to another.

Legally Blonde at Laguna Hills is definitely a show that will make you want to scream "Omigod".

Caitlin Relvas
Santa Margarita Catholic
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Laguna Hills defies expectations in "Legally Blonde"
written by Caitlin Relvas, a junior at Santa Margarita Catholic High School

Through an explosion of pink, passion, dreams, and belief, Laguna Hills High School imparts in "Legally Blonde, The Musical" the value of remaining true to yourself despite external pressures.

When Delta Nu sorority president Elle Woods is dumped by her boyfriend due to her lack of "seriousness," Elle vows to win her man back through her admission to Harvard Law. In this drastically different world, Elle struggles to keep her individuality intact and pursue her new passion for law with the aid of Paulette, her hairstylist, and Emmett, a law teaching assistant.

With a sunshine smile, bright, blonde hair, and a straight posture, Sabrina Astle as bubbly Elle Woods exudes confidence and individuality while wearing her signature pink. Her downcast eyes excellently exhibits desperate situations, while her strong, driven vocals soar equally with joy and despair.

As earnest Emmett Forrest's (Rudy Buttlar) stooped shoulders and craned neck elevate throughout the course of the show, his growing confidence in himself is clearly visible, as is his blossoming love for Elle with increased attention on her. Quirky Paulette Buonufonte (Natalie Teuton) leans back, surprised at Elle's words, but her clumsy falls and awkward interactions fade to reveal a yearning for love, just like her friend Elle.

Accentuating tone and augmenting the courageous nature of the show is the lighting design by Lauren Cacace and Danielle Kelly. Bright pink and blue emphasizes the sorority girls, while a gentle rose hue envelopes Elle and soft white surrounds Emmett to brilliantly portray their opposite, yet complimentary, worlds.

Projections on the back effectively illustrate time and scene changes: leaves fade from green to brown for summer to fall, bars equate prison, and a street signifies a rusty trailer home. All wonderfully contribute to display the lengths of time and greatness of distance Elle is willing to sacrifice to pursue her dream.

Individual costumes excellently enhance the different personalities of each character, which are designed by Lily Fischer and Reilly Cleaver. Paulette's multicolored socks with heels and Elle's bold pink dresses compliment their distinct personalities and contrast with the drab, neutral colors of the law students.

As each character displays their truest self by the final scene, Laguna Hills' infectiously fun "Legally Blonde" beautifully shatters expectations of the exterior and reveals the splendor of the inside.

Caitlin Relvas
Santa Margarita Catholic
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Laguna Hills defies expectations in "Legally Blonde"
written by Caitlin Relvas, a junior at Santa Margarita Catholic High School

Through an explosion of pink, passion, dreams, and belief, Laguna Hills High School imparts in "Legally Blonde, The Musical" the value of remaining true to yourself despite external pressures.

When Delta Nu sorority president Elle Woods is dumped by her boyfriend due to her lack of "seriousness," Elle vows to win her man back through her admission to Harvard Law. In this drastically different world, Elle struggles to keep her individuality intact and pursue her new passion for law with the aid of Paulette, her hairstylist, and Emmett, a law teaching assistant.

With a sunshine smile, bright, blonde hair, and a straight posture, Sabrina Astle as bubbly Elle Woods exudes confidence and individuality while wearing her signature pink. Her downcast eyes excellently exhibits desperate situations, while her strong, driven vocals soar equally with joy and despair.

As earnest Emmett Forrest's (Rudy Buttlar) stooped shoulders and craned neck elevate throughout the course of the show, his growing confidence in himself is clearly visible, as is his blossoming love for Elle with increased attention on her. Quirky Paulette Buonufonte (Natalie Teuton) leans back, surprised at Elle's words, but her clumsy falls and awkward interactions fade to reveal a yearning for love, just like her friend Elle.

Accentuating tone and augmenting the courageous nature of the show is the lighting design by Lauren Cacace and Danielle Kelly. Bright pink and blue emphasizes the sorority girls, while a gentle rose hue envelopes Elle and soft white surrounds Emmett to brilliantly portray their opposite, yet complimentary, worlds.

Projections on the back effectively illustrate time and scene changes: leaves fade from green to brown for summer to fall, bars equate prison, and a street signifies a rusty trailer home. All wonderfully contribute to display the lengths of time and greatness of distance Elle is willing to sacrifice to pursue her dream.

Individual costumes excellently enhance the different personalities of each character, which are designed by Lily Fischer and Reilly Cleaver. Paulette's multicolored socks with heels and Elle's bold pink dresses compliment their distinct personalities and contrast with the drab, neutral colors of the law students.

As each character displays their truest self by the final scene, Laguna Hills' infectiously fun "Legally Blonde" beautifully shatters expectations of the exterior and reveals the splendor of the inside.