Chicago, High School Edition
at Sunny Hills High School

Reviewed on October 18, 2018

Sofia Migliaccio
Mission Viejo
Submitted for publication to OC Register

Sunny Hills razzle-dazzles with "Chicago, HSE"

"Chicago, High School Edition" at Sunny Hills is a rollercoaster of a show with energizing solos and strong technical design, all creating a story of fighting for redemption when the odds are stacked against you.

Alyssa Ogas portrays the character, Roxie Hart, sparkling with her wide smile as she prances around the stage. Ogas' doe-eyed face and open physicality draw the audience into the soft ingenue portrayal of her character. In complete contrast to Roxie, Velma Kelly (Kara Hennessy) stands strong and slinks about the stage to keep up her sultry demeanor. The two girls begin with distinctly different characters, one soft and innocent and the other bold and voluptuous, only to meld together (and work together) once realizing they live in a dog-eat-dog world.

Billy Flynn (Robert Dickey) enters each scene with a swagger, motivation spilling from his movement. His sleazy attitude shines through his crooked smile and sharp eyes, and he exudes confidence with every note he belts out. Dickey's strong singing voice stands out among the more lackluster voices in the show; he has the ability to pull the ensemble's energy up to his level through his own lively performance.

The many Prisoners at the Cook County Jail are magnetic, drawing all attention whenever they get to be on stage. These girls sing clearly and with conviction to match their sharp and sensuous dance moves. Among these girls is Rachel Kim as Hunyak: a stunning dancer with beautiful technique and adorable facial expression. From tap dancing to ballet en pointe, Kim does it all with ease.

The student direction behind "Chicago, HSE" adds a fun and fresh element to this production, with the acting direction done by Catherine Bunts and the vocal direction done by Hattie Thomson. The vocals are consistent with brief moments for the leads to shine through solo songs, and deep character development is evident in a handful of characters' performances.

The industrial concept behind the set design is brilliantly thought-out and accurately conveyed in everything onstage. The L Train is represented around the proscenium of the stage through a bright orange frame, and scaffolding across the back of the stage provides different levels for the actors.

Sunny Hills' rendition of "Chicago, HSE" combines thought out technical design with satisfactory actors to show the tribulations of making it big in a cutthroat world.

Elena Plumb
St. Margaret's Episcopal
Submitted for publication to OC Facebook

Sunny Hills Delivers a Killer Chicago, HSE
written by Elena Plumb, a senior at St Margaret's Episcopal School

In the glamorous world of the 1920's, aspiring starlets will do anything to rise to the top. For Vaudeville dancers Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, murder is just another stop along the road to fame and fortune. Set inside the stark walls of the Cook County Jail, Chicago follows a group of cold-blooded murderesses as they lie and scheme their way out of conviction. Enthralling, scintillating, and energetic, Sunny Hills presents a high school rendition of Chicago that razzles and dazzles.

Alyssa Ogas shines as the bright-eyed Roxie Hart, capturing her character's feigned innocence with a sweet, high-pitched tone and bouncy gait. However, as details of her deceitful plot begin to unravel, she reveals Miss Hart's true manipulative nature through her sassy saunter and dramatized inflection.

Contrasting Ogas's irreproachable aura is Kara Hennessy (Velma Kelly). Hennessy embodies Velma's guileless, downtrodden nature by slumping in her chair and speaking with a deep, raspy voice.

Robert Dickey brings charisma to the stage as hotshot lawyer Billy Flynn, confidently adjusting his tie and winking at the audience in the number "All I Want is Love." While Flynn demands attention, Amos Hart (James Elkjer) longs to be noticed. In "Mr. Cellophane," he laments his feelings of invisibility by hopelessly swinging his arms and whimpering as he sings.

Costuming by Violet Kim and Susie Lee reflects the glitz and glam of the era through the use of sequin leotards, black silk robes, and fishnet stockings for the seductive murderesses. To emphasize character traits, Kim and Lee dress vivacious Roxie in a bright blue flapper dress, and the ever-invisible Amos in a subdued gray.

Not only does Krista Mansfield and Bob Upton's lighting design heighten the overall spectacle, with lights flashing on beat in showstopper "Razzle Dazzle," but it also shifts with the mood of the show. As Roxie garners hope for her acquittal, a glowing backdrop fades from a deep red to a pastel blue.

Acting Director Catherine Bunts and Vocal Director Hyacinth Thomson work together to create moments that captivate the senses. For instance, in "We Both Reached for the Gun," a swarm of well-harmonized ensemble members frame Roxie and Billy as they tell their sympathy-manipulating story of her lover's death.

With impressive technical elements, a cohesive ensemble, and outstanding actor portrayals, Sunny Hills spikes this dark tale with sparkle, suspense, and all that jazz.

Krista Eliot
El Dorado
Submitted for publication to OC Facebook

Sunny Hills Chicago gives ‘em the old Razzle Dazzle
written by Krista Eliot, a senior at El Dorado High School

In the glitz and the glitter of big city Chicago in the 1920's, stories are being made and told everywhere. One of these stories intertwines the lives of two merry murderesses who both want nothing more than their moment in the spotlight (after they get out of jail, of course).

Sunny Hills' Chicago joins technical elements and performances to put on a dazzling spectacle about murder and mayhem, all wrapped up in a gold sequined bow.

Alyssa Ogas and Kara Hennessy play Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, who want to be big time stars at whatever the cost. When Roxie and Velma are thrown into jail for murder, they battle head to head over who can get in the paper more. Along with good vocal ability, Ogas and Hennessy create a strong dynamic between the duo, making their characters' reconciliation at the end have an even bigger flourish.

Robert Dickey shines as the big-time (somewhat conniving) lawyer, Billy Flynn. With his strong vocals, and his ability to be both charming yet difficult to crack, Dickey encapsulates the timeless character of Billy. At times when some of the cast members' actions may seem unmotivated, Dickey never fails to stay focused and showcase every side of Mr. Flynn.

Portraying the forgetful character without being forgetful yourself, can be a tricky task. But James Elkjer, as Roxie's downtrodden husband Amos, hits all the right stops. Elkjers' comedic timing brings heart to this character. In numbers like Mr. Cellophane, he showcases his ability to maintain energy while still singing a song about being forgotten.

A standout technical element in the show is the set by Diego Cano, Alexandra Carbajal, Dalyn Ibarra, and Krista Mansfield. With steel stairways and architecture, the set allows actors to create pictures of a classic Chicago prison cell. The set team also goes the extra mile by making a wood panel around the stage to create the look of Chicago's signature L Train.

All in all, Sunny Hills' combination of energetic cast members as well as a knockout set makes their production of Chicago, one to remember.