The Boy Friend
at Pacifica Christian

Reviewed on April 6, 2018

Sophie Nenninger
Dana Hills (SOCSA)
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Pacifica's "The Boy Friend" is love at first sight
written by Sophie Nenninger, a junior at Dana Hills High School

On the glittering shores of Nice, France, the perfect girls of Madame Dubonent's finishing school find themselves on the quest of their lifetime: to find a boyfriend. Falling in love upon first glance, the elegant Polly Browne locks eyes with a mysterious messenger beginning a series of twists and turns as the girls go on a comical adventure to find the loves of their lives.

Poised and polished, Sydney Penticuff presents an endearing yet sophisticated Polly Browne, flitting about the stage with her head held high and a loving smile adorned on her face while singing "I Could Be Happy With You." She fills the theater with her angelic vocal range, personifying the sweet sound of a songbird, reaching pure and airy high notes with ease.

Polly's love interest, Tony, played by A. J. Pujols, portrays the first shy moments of love by pacing about the stage while maintaining broad shoulders and a loving smile. His shy flirtatious energy is matched well by Penticuff and the two harmonize to create dazzling chemistry.

With a dashing French accent, Emma Hammond as Hortense keeps a gentle harshness about her face, playing the stubborn French maid proudly. Hammond delivers witty remarks, creating a comical contrast against the proper girls.

Lindsey Ryan as Madame Dubonnet, exudes a fiery yet refined character, gliding across the stage and with graceful hands, seeming to sway like a ballerina while showcasing her classically beautiful voice in "The You-Don't-Want-To-Play-With-Me Blues" where her vibrancy contrasts smoothly against the stoic, severe expression of Percival Browne (Kieran Ahn) who deepens his voice to portray the serious Percival.

Josh Griffith plays the flirty silver fox Lord Brockhurst alongside the posh and exasperated Lady Brockhurst portrayed by Isabel Hadley. The two combine to create an iconic comedic duo embellishing their upper class characters with flamboyant hand gestures and snarky comments towards each other.

The ensemble of perfect school girls portray a cutesy yet humorously exaggerated expression what it means to be "perfect". Dancing and talking together in unison these girls embody a sophistication, as well as collectively maintaining flawless posture, embellishing their movements with flicks of the wrist and keeping an exemplary smile adorned on their faces.

Pacifica Christian's "The Boy Friend" presents a comedic spoof that dazzles all, inspiring all to fall in love with this production upon first glance.

Sophie Nenninger
Dana Hills (SOCSA)
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Pacifica's "The Boy Friend" is love at first sight
written by Sophie Nenninger, a junior at Dana Hills High School

On the glittering shores of Nice, France, the perfect girls of Madame Dubonent's finishing school find themselves on the quest of their lifetime: to find a boyfriend. Falling in love upon first glance, the elegant Polly Browne locks eyes with a mysterious messenger beginning a series of twists and turns as the girls go on a comical adventure to find the loves of their lives.

Poised and polished, Sydney Penticuff presents an endearing yet sophisticated Polly Browne, flitting about the stage with her head held high and a loving smile adorned on her face while singing "I Could Be Happy With You." She fills the theater with her angelic vocal range, personifying the sweet sound of a songbird, reaching pure and airy high notes with ease.

Polly's love interest, Tony, played by A. J. Pujols, portrays the first shy moments of love by pacing about the stage while maintaining broad shoulders and a loving smile. His shy flirtatious energy is matched well by Penticuff and the two harmonize to create dazzling chemistry.

With a dashing French accent, Emma Hammond as Hortense keeps a gentle harshness about her face, playing the stubborn French maid proudly. Hammond delivers witty remarks, creating a comical contrast against the proper girls.

Lindsey Ryan as Madame Dubonnet, exudes a fiery yet refined character, gliding across the stage and with graceful hands, seeming to sway like a ballerina while showcasing her classically beautiful voice in "The You-Don't-Want-To-Play-With-Me Blues" where her vibrancy contrasts smoothly against the stoic, severe expression of Percival Browne (Kieran Ahn) who deepens his voice to portray the serious Percival.

Josh Griffith plays the flirty silver fox Lord Brockhurst alongside the posh and exasperated Lady Brockhurst portrayed by Isabel Hadley. The two combine to create an iconic comedic duo embellishing their upper class characters with flamboyant hand gestures and snarky comments towards each other.

The ensemble of perfect school girls portray a cutesy yet humorously exaggerated expression what it means to be "perfect". Dancing and talking together in unison these girls embody a sophistication, as well as collectively maintaining flawless posture, embellishing their movements with flicks of the wrist and keeping an exemplary smile adorned on their faces.

Pacifica Christian's "The Boy Friend" presents a comedic spoof that dazzles all, inspiring all to fall in love with this production upon first glance.

Carson Preusse
Tesoro
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Fall in love with Pacifica Christian's "The Boy Friend"
written by Carson Preusse, a junior at Tesoro High School

A finishing school for girls, the French Riviera, and a ballroom filled with pearls are all locations where love prevails in Pacifica Christian's delightful production of "The Boy Friend". "The Boy Friend" is a spoof of musicals about the 1920s and how love can come so easily to those who seek it, even within the span of one short song.

Throughout the show, Polly Browne (Sydney Penticuff) longs for a boyfriend, despite not having permission from her father. Penticuff's gentle, beautiful voice displays her joy and adoration of the seemingly penniless Tony (A.J. Pujols) in their heartwarming duet, "I Could be Happy With You". Penticuff exhibits heartache as she and Madame Dubonnet (Lindsey Ryan) delicately sing the sentimental song, "Poor Little Pierrette".

Kieran Ahn portrays Polly's uptight father, Percival Browne, who contrasts to the other characters by not openly welcoming love the second it appears. The stern demeanor of his character is evident as Ahn constantly remains rigid and inflexible. As the flirtatious Madame Dubonnet (Lindsey Ryan) tries to dance with him, Ahn comically shifts his eyes from side to side, frozen in his place, representing his awkwardness in this situation.

Another man searching for love is the charismatic Bobby Van Husen (Solomon Davis). By flashing his smile at the stubborn Maisie (Rachel Delaurenti) and playfully dancing around her, he wins her heart and never loses his grin during "Won't You Charleston With Me?".

Josh Griffith and Olivia Garcia add absurd humor to the already comical show as Lord Brockhurst and Dulcie. By committing to ridiculous, flailing dance moves while shouting nonsensical phrases, the duo offers many hilarious moments in "It's Never Too Late To Fall In Love", as they fall in love in the show's final minutes.

One of the few characters who surprisingly never finds love is Hortense (Emma Hammond). Hammond breaks free from her original prudishness in her song, "It's Nicer in Nice". All without losing her precise French accent, Hammond freely twirls across the stage, confidently displaying how her character needed this break to be carefree and reminisce on her lively past.

With heartfelt emotions, impeccable comedic timing, and upbeat dancing, Pacifica Christian's "The Boy Friend" provides a lighthearted adventure of love finding its way into the hearts of couples, old and young.

Carson Preusse
Tesoro
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Fall in love with Pacifica Christian's "The Boy Friend"
written by Carson Preusse, a junior at Tesoro High School

A finishing school for girls, the French Riviera, and a ballroom filled with pearls are all locations where love prevails in Pacifica Christian's delightful production of "The Boy Friend". "The Boy Friend" is a spoof of musicals about the 1920s and how love can come so easily to those who seek it, even within the span of one short song.

Throughout the show, Polly Browne (Sydney Penticuff) longs for a boyfriend, despite not having permission from her father. Penticuff's gentle, beautiful voice displays her joy and adoration of the seemingly penniless Tony (A.J. Pujols) in their heartwarming duet, "I Could be Happy With You". Penticuff exhibits heartache as she and Madame Dubonnet (Lindsey Ryan) delicately sing the sentimental song, "Poor Little Pierrette".

Kieran Ahn portrays Polly's uptight father, Percival Browne, who contrasts to the other characters by not openly welcoming love the second it appears. The stern demeanor of his character is evident as Ahn constantly remains rigid and inflexible. As the flirtatious Madame Dubonnet (Lindsey Ryan) tries to dance with him, Ahn comically shifts his eyes from side to side, frozen in his place, representing his awkwardness in this situation.

Another man searching for love is the charismatic Bobby Van Husen (Solomon Davis). By flashing his smile at the stubborn Maisie (Rachel Delaurenti) and playfully dancing around her, he wins her heart and never loses his grin during "Won't You Charleston With Me?".

Josh Griffith and Olivia Garcia add absurd humor to the already comical show as Lord Brockhurst and Dulcie. By committing to ridiculous, flailing dance moves while shouting nonsensical phrases, the duo offers many hilarious moments in "It's Never Too Late To Fall In Love", as they fall in love in the show's final minutes.

One of the few characters who surprisingly never finds love is Hortense (Emma Hammond). Hammond breaks free from her original prudishness in her song, "It's Nicer in Nice". All without losing her precise French accent, Hammond freely twirls across the stage, confidently displaying how her character needed this break to be carefree and reminisce on her lively past.

With heartfelt emotions, impeccable comedic timing, and upbeat dancing, Pacifica Christian's "The Boy Friend" provides a lighthearted adventure of love finding its way into the hearts of couples, old and young.

Myah Phillips
Fullerton Union
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Fall head over pearls in love with Pacifica Christian's "The Boy Friend"
written by Myah Phillips, a senior at Fullerton Union High School

Centering around the "tittering" 1920's in France, Pacifica Christian High School's "The Boy Friend" follows several school girls as they fall in love with dashing young men in the span of single dance numbers.

Sydney Penticuff astounds as the poised and poignant protagonist Polly Brown, sincerely conveys Polly's reserved romanticism. Playing a graceful and "perfect, young lady," Penticuff exudes confidence and strides across the stage, head held high; adding an air of sweet longing to Polly, she delicately places her hands over her heart as she is courted by the charismatic Tony, played by A.J. Pujols.

Pujol plays an eager, yet shy, Tony that delightfully contrasts Penticuff's elegant Polly. Tony is in a constant state of charming optimism, which Pujol successfully demonstrates through large, yearning, gestures and constant, heart warming smiles. Together, the two radiate an endearing chemistry. In the song "I Could Be Happy With You," the two dance cheek to cheek in an adorable beginning to a whimsical love. Through wanting glances and adoring smiles the two perfectly define young love.

Josh Griffith as the devilish brit Lord Brockhurst and Isabel Hadley as his prudish sister Lady Brockhurst are phenomenal as they form a dynamic of hilarious revulsion and spar each other's wits with spot-on comedic timing. Griffith is spectacular as Brockhurst as he bounds across the stage in lanky authority and commands attention even when in the background by remaining consistently expressive and engaged.

Juxtaposing Penticuff and Pujol's fresh love, Griffith's duet with Olivia Garcia as Dulcie, "It's never too Late to Fall in Love," showcases a crazier kind of love. The two light up the stage as they move in captivating synchronization and delight in each other's company through passionate embraces and wacky compulsions.

A consistent source of comfort, Lindsey Ryan as Madame Dubonnet joyously glides across the stage and speaks to her fellow characters with arms open for embrace. Ryan's charisma oozes from her through every interaction, and in the song "Poor Little Pierrette," Ryan embodies a consoling mother, soothingly lulling Polly. Providing a beautiful on-stage connection, Ryan holds Penticuff's hands tightly and looks earnestly into her eyes, showcasing a genuine love for the girl.

In a titillating and quirky tale full of whimsical romance, Pacifica Christian High School's rendition of "The Boy Friend" embodies Parisian magnetism.

Myah Phillips
Fullerton Union
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Fall head over pearls in love with Pacifica Christian's "The Boy Friend"
written by Myah Phillips, a senior at Fullerton Union High School

Centering around the "tittering" 1920's in France, Pacifica Christian High School's "The Boy Friend" follows several school girls as they fall in love with dashing young men in the span of single dance numbers.

Sydney Penticuff astounds as the poised and poignant protagonist Polly Brown, sincerely conveys Polly's reserved romanticism. Playing a graceful and "perfect, young lady," Penticuff exudes confidence and strides across the stage, head held high; adding an air of sweet longing to Polly, she delicately places her hands over her heart as she is courted by the charismatic Tony, played by A.J. Pujols.

Pujol plays an eager, yet shy, Tony that delightfully contrasts Penticuff's elegant Polly. Tony is in a constant state of charming optimism, which Pujol successfully demonstrates through large, yearning, gestures and constant, heart warming smiles. Together, the two radiate an endearing chemistry. In the song "I Could Be Happy With You," the two dance cheek to cheek in an adorable beginning to a whimsical love. Through wanting glances and adoring smiles the two perfectly define young love.

Josh Griffith as the devilish brit Lord Brockhurst and Isabel Hadley as his prudish sister Lady Brockhurst are phenomenal as they form a dynamic of hilarious revulsion and spar each other's wits with spot-on comedic timing. Griffith is spectacular as Brockhurst as he bounds across the stage in lanky authority and commands attention even when in the background by remaining consistently expressive and engaged.

Juxtaposing Penticuff and Pujol's fresh love, Griffith's duet with Olivia Garcia as Dulcie, "It's never too Late to Fall in Love," showcases a crazier kind of love. The two light up the stage as they move in captivating synchronization and delight in each other's company through passionate embraces and wacky compulsions.

A consistent source of comfort, Lindsey Ryan as Madame Dubonnet joyously glides across the stage and speaks to her fellow characters with arms open for embrace. Ryan's charisma oozes from her through every interaction, and in the song "Poor Little Pierrette," Ryan embodies a consoling mother, soothingly lulling Polly. Providing a beautiful on-stage connection, Ryan holds Penticuff's hands tightly and looks earnestly into her eyes, showcasing a genuine love for the girl.

In a titillating and quirky tale full of whimsical romance, Pacifica Christian High School's rendition of "The Boy Friend" embodies Parisian magnetism.