Love Dot
at The Hill School

Reviewed on March 5, 2022

Leah C. Garofalo
Phoenixville Area HS
Submitted for publication to WordPress Site and Cappies Page

A yellow brick road, wicked witches, and ruby red... Chuck Taylor's? The Hill School's production of the new musical "Love, Dot" is filled with vibrance, spirit, and a strong message: finding where you belong.

"Love, Dot" is a modern retelling of the classic book, film, and musical "The Wizard of Oz." The show, written by Sydnee Johnson, cleverly reinvents the characters into relatable teens. The score, arranged by Christopher Robinson, features many pop songs, truly making this a story of the current generation. The Hill School's Ellis Theatre Guild is the first to put on the production.

Overall, the show was driven by the evident energy and passion of everyone present on stage. There was not a moment when the actors seemed uninterested or as if they were not truly invested in the story. This made the story engaging and easy to follow.

The leading actress, Isabella Moranheras, fully embodied the role of Dot. Her consistently strong vocals and emotional performance sold the character. Dot is a teenager running away from home in hopes of finding a sense of belonging, a description that Moranheras made easy to read.

The supporting and ensemble cast gave the show a sense of liveliness. Meena Ali (Sandy), Meredith Marks (Tina), and Tiffany Lee (Leona) had a clear bond with each other and the leading actor. This bond was proven by their ability to work off of each other on stage and their capability to mesh their vocals together for impressive harmonies, such as the trio "Power/Fight Song." Each actor was individually strong, but their power when together was impressive. Geordie Ravara (The Wizard) was able to fulfill her exuberant role. Her vocals, comedic timing, and stamina were exceptional. Timmy Woodward (Glen) was able to take his initially bubbly role and develop the character throughout the performance. Additionally, each ensemble (notably the Munchkins and the Monkeys) was invested and engaged with the arc of the show.

The behind-the-scenes work was vital to the show's success. Because the show has never been done before, the stage management (Kelly Grable and Nimala Sivakumar) was excellent. Additionally, the choreography, while simple, was effective and well-done. While some vocals were difficult to hear due to loud backing tracks, overall, the sound didn't have many errors. Furthermore, the props (Nimala Sivakumar and Kelly Grable) enhanced the show due to their detail.

Overall, The Hill School's production of Love, Dot was a heartwarming experience. The show itself dives into currently relevant topics such as LGBTQIA+ rights, making the show relatable to many and teaching us all that there's no place like home (where the heart is).

Nel Blinman
Harriton High School
Submitted for publication to WordPress Site and Cappies Page

Lions and tigers and… a secret plan to gentrify the east side of Oz? Oh my! The Hill School's premiering production of "Love, Dot" was a thrilling and lively new spectacle.

A modern retelling of the age-old classic, "The Wizard of Oz," "Love, Dot" was created especially for The Hill School. It follows Dorothy (or Dot, as she prefers), a Kansas native who longs for a bigger life. As she struggles with rejection, she discovers her mother's legacy in a faraway land called Oz. She journeys there, and forms friendships with Sandy (the scarecrow), Tina (the tin man), and Leona (the lion). Together, underscored by a jukebox selection of popular songs, they embark on a journey of sisterhood, of origin, and of justice.

The highlight of The Hill School's "Love, Dot" was the versatility; they transformed their high school auditorium into a small country town, a magical and strange city, and a concert, brimming with energy and life. There was never a dull moment – how could there be, when the audience was literally dancing in the aisles?

Isabella Moranheras (Dot) was the heart of this production. She was quick-witted, nuanced, and impactful. Coupled with her silky modern vocals, Moranheras quickly earned the love of the audience. Her character's struggles with sexuality, family, and relationships made for a true acting challenge, but she rose to meet it, and left a wake of awe and inspiration.

Daniel Schlegel (the Wicked Witch of the West) was striking, loveable, and hilarious – his performance of "Every Step You Take" was positively breathtaking. His band of flying monkeys were spectacular as well, with outstanding physicality. Geordie Ravara (the Wizard) was dazzling in her grandiose musical numbers, and Meena Ali (Sandy) stole the audience's hearts and split their sides with her charming and relatable character.

Although this show was something of a goliath, the stage management (lead by Kelly Grable and Nimala Sivakumar) and stage crew teams ran an effective and tight ship, ensuring that scene changes were seamless every time.

"Love, Dot" was a miraculous, magical, and thoroughly modern journey to the land of Oz. Though there is no place like home, it was an honor to be in the Hill School theater for this fresh new piece.

Kyra Keenan
Upper Merion Area High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies Page

Forget the rusty tin-man, the old scarecrow, and the cowardly lion! You'll certainly find a "Rainbow Connection" with The Hill School's cast of this new musical: "Love, Dot."

Performed for the first time ever at The Hill School, the beloved tale of "The Wizard of Oz" takes on a new life. The classic tale follows Dot, not Dorothy, a strong-willed girl surrounded by bigots and bullies in the middle of Kansas. After a dispute with her uncle, Dot sets out to discover the "world beyond high school," but ends up in a quirky city called Oz or, rather, the O-Z. Would this city steal her heart just like it did her mother's? Or would Dot once again find herself in a troubling situation?

The magic of Oz is brought to life in The Hill School auditorium. Whether it be through watching "Club Goers" break it down on stage, or seeing the Munchkins dance in the aisle, every actor made the most of their performance.

Outstanding actress and vocalist Isabella Moranheras, portraying Dot, took the stage as a determined adopted teen. Moranheras excelled at telling Dot's emotional story, especially with her show-stopping vocals. She most notably sang a heart-wrenching rendition of "Rainbow Connection," continuously bringing the passionate song with her through the story.

Dot's ragtag trio takes a gender-bent twist, as all of them were female characters. Meena Ali's Sandy (commonly known as Scary), Meredith Marks' Tina, and Tiffany Lee's Leona skipped alongside Dot down the yellow brick road. As the group traveled, they sang several hilarious versions of "Move It," fantastically replacing the traditional "Follow the Yellow Brick Road." Daniel Schlegel, playing the Wicked Witch of the West, shocked the audience with his deep range in the unforgettable "Every Step You Take." Also notable was Glen (Timmy Woodward) and The Wizard (Geordie Ravara). The pair did an excellent job vocally, and also conveyed the toxicity of the government of Oz through their acting.

Dorothy may have had ruby slippers, but they're nothing compared to Dot's bedazzled Chucks! Contributing to the modern feel of the show, all of the costumes took a high-fashion runway approach. These futuristic outfits were eye-catching and fit the upbeat movement of Oz perfectly. The Hill School Stage Crew also exceeded expectations, as they moved dynamic set pieces on and off the stage flawlessly, making for smooth transitions!

"All I Know So Far" is that the Hill School's production of Love, Dot was definitely worth a trip to the O-Z!

Katie Locke
Episcopal Academy
Submitted for publication to Cappies Page

Bubbles, monkeys, and sparkly red Chucks, oh my! The Hill School had all of the former and more, exceeding all expectations in their original production of "Love, Dot."

"Love, Dot" is a new, contemporary retelling of "The Wizard of Oz," filled with modern pop songs and references. The show follows Dorothy, or Dot, on her journey to Oz to discover more about the life of her late mother. Along Dot's walk down the yellow brick road, she is joined by the ditzy Sandy, cosplayer Tina, and social media influencer Leona, who all hope the Wizard will grant them a wish.

"Love, Dot" had an engaged, energetic ensemble, who even danced with audience members in the aisles! Although many actors had multiple parts and ensemble roles, each person was clearly devoted to their character. The highlight of the show was the lively number "I Gotta Feeling," which was filled with large props, impressive vocals, concert-like lighting, and energetic dancing.

Isabella Moranheras embodied the titular role of Dot. She displayed Dot's tough exterior, but also revealed her more emotional side, especially during "Rainbow Connection." Additionally, Moranheras' impressive vocals stole the show every time she had a solo, and especially in the numbers "I Gotta Feeling" and "Get Me Bodied."

Meena Ali, portraying the giddy Sandy, had excellent physicality. She was a main source of energy throughout the production and got lots of laughs through her comedic reactions and line deliveries. Timmy Woodward, playing Glen the Good Witch, had clear stage presence, captivating audiences' attention every time he was onstage. Woodward's ardent energy juxtaposed the brooding, somber Wicked Witch of the West, played by Daniel Schlegel. Schlegel was clearly dedicated to his role, and he shone during "Every Step You Take."

Stage Managers Kelly Grable and Nimala Sivakumar ensured that the production ran smoothly, despite the many cues they had to call. Although there were few scene changes, the Love, Dot Stage Crew switched set pieces quickly and efficiently. They easily blended in if they had to come onstage during scenes or musical numbers.

Love, Dot was filled with upbeat songs, comedic scenes, a dedicated tech crew, and entertaining actors. The show embraced the importance of family and true friendship, ultimately teaching audiences that "there's no place like home."