Performers always like a full house. But the members of the high school drama club have two special reasons for hoping that ticket sales will be good. They will be presenting “Legally Blonde” on April 16-19.
One incentive is that a part of the proceeds will go to Safe School Ambassadors, an organization that counteracts bullying. Believe it or not, there’s a subtle connection between bullying and the plot of the show.
Elle Wood, the central character, is one of the “cool kids.” She’s the college sweetheart, and the homecoming queen. Because she’s physically attractive, however, everyone assumes she’s an airhead. And that’s how they treat her.
Early in the show, Elle meets her boyfriend at a restaurant. She’s expecting an engagement ring, but instead she gets a “good bye.” Her boyfriend is leaving her to find someone more serious.
Not easily discouraged, Elle hits the books and gets accepted to Harvard Law School, where she’s supported by her sorority sisters and shunned by the blue-bloods of Boston. Eventually, she learns to be true to herself.
If there were Safe School Ambassadors in the story, they might have encouraged her to do that at the beginning. But then there’d be no show. And audiences would miss a performance with several lively production numbers.
This year’s cast includes many varsity athletes. During a break in last Saturday’s rehearsal, Director Rich Aufiero chatted with a few baseball players on the prospects for the coming season.
Mr. Aufiero and Music Director Tony Ravinsky have borrowed a ploy from the world of athletics. Not long ago, the Cornwall track coaches made good on their promise to dye their hair pink after their relay team won a state championship.
Mr. Aufiero and Mr. Ravinsky have agreed to turn blond if the show sells 2,000 tickets in advance.People can help make that happen by calling 497-3914 for tickets or emailing requests to cchsdramatix@yahoo.com.
Performances are at 7 p.m. on Thursday through Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Spectators are likely to see a blond director and a very good show — which contains some mature themes and colorful language. The script has been modified to ensure that it’s appropriate. Parental guidance is suggested.
CAST
Characters: Bea Aufiero, Samantha Bartul, Giovanni Brice, Ethan Brondum, Elena Byassee, Rourke Bywater, John Cascino, Madison Cleeves, Lindsey Cochran, Oscar Cochran, Darcy Conley, Liz Davis, Stephen DeRosa, Cara DiMedio, Christen Donlon, Michael Doulin, Colin Franke, Pat Fulton, Brynne Growney, Eric Growney, Olivia Heller, Sarah Henry, Mariah Hernandez, Dan Hess, Kayla Horisk, Julia Hughes, Alec Hydos, Julia Kerr, Jordan Korycinski, Sydney Korycinski, Jillian Larson, Charles Longueira, Samantha Malvey, Giselle Martinez, Kelly Moran, Valerie Morel, Vicky Morel, Olivia Perrone, Brandon Pettus, Brooke Reilly, Sophie Rice, Matt Rose, Serena Smacchia, Will Snyder, Samantha Tighe, Rose Tomassi, Amanda Torres, Will Wright, Jake Wu
Company — Female dancers: Athena Blair, Lindsey Cochran, Cara DiMedio, Jaclyn Doherty, Carina Donato, Sydnee Ferretti, Kayla Horisk, Hannah Logerfo, Hannah Melino, Arianna Morales, Angela Pepe, Victoria Paolini.
Male dancers: Dan Aalfs, Gio Brice, Ethan Brondum, Will Corby, Ryan Danahy, Colin Franke, Pat Fulton, Eric Growney, Alec Hydso, Charles Longueira, Btrandon Pettus, Matt Rose, Will Snyder, Alex Vega, Will Wright, Jake Wu.
Harvard students: Kianna Batista, Diamond Burley, Kayla Caoili, Abby Dunning, Jessica Eng, Miranda Feely, Vicky Finn, Sofia Giardella, Brynne Growney, Julia Hughes, Michaela Kirwan, Elizabeth Klosky, Jordan Korycinski, Rheonna Koss, Sydney Mayo, Sara Mintz, Meghan Nielsen, Sahana Rao, Tara Rao, Brooke Reilly, Lauren Sharp, Maia Tice, Morgan VanLedtje, Emma Zyla.
Chorus: James Bailey, Samantha Bartul, Rourke Bywater, John Cascino, Eileen Clerkin, Ethan Davis, Liz Davis, Bailey Dewsnap, Juliette Gomez, Mikayla Green, Bevin Macutay, Giselle Martinez, Val Morel, Vicky Morel, Katelin Mrekva, Christiana Reyes, Andrew Richardson, Sophia Scala, Zach Shrem, Logan Soss, Skylar Strauss, Annaliese Stuerke, Kelsey Winstanley
Student stage manager: Ryan Hazard
