Cast and crew members creatively told the story of Elle Woods’ transformation from a Malibu-raised Delta Nu sorority sister to a powerhouse lawyer, tackling stereotypes and scandals along the way. The vibrant and colorful set, incredible singing, and dynamic dancing made this musical so much fun, it should be illegal!
Legally Blonde was produced by Ms. Taryn Tonelli’09, coordinator of the performing arts; directed by Jodi Capeless P’22; choreographed by Kimberly Galberaith P’22; and music directed by Ed Ginter. Thank you to our scenic designer and technical director, Vincent Gunn; costume designer, Nancy Reynolds; wardrobe master, Evan Hoehn; lighting designer, Nikki Belenski; master electrician, Dan Mackle; and sound designer, Steve Kolakowsky. We are blown away by our brilliant student crew members including associate producers, Carolyn Sandt’23 and Olivia Mulligan’22; stage managers, Samantha Andersen’24 and Marisa Arone’24; and lighting board operators, April Ramsey’23 and Isabella Conde’23. Special thanks to Diana Buongiorno for her dedication and care of our pups backstage, as well as to our exceptional orchestra members that brought the Legally Blonde music to life.
This year’s musical featured a large cast of principal characters and supporting cast members, all of whom were brilliant on stage. Grace Capeless’22 shined in her final IHA musical as a magnificent Elle Woods alongside Azriela Quiles’22 playing an amazing Margot, Samantha Emr’22 a wonderful Serena, and Kara Ignacio’23 an awesome Pilar. Liam Fahey (SJR’24) played the overconfident Warner and Katherine Ryan’25 impressed as the pretentious Vivienne Kensington. Taylor Terry’22 was a hysterical Paulette Buonofuonte and Alyssa Darella’22 perfectly portrayed the energetic Brooke Wyndham. The kind and reserved Emmett was played by the incredible Jonah Ruderman (LHS’23) and the pompous Callahan was played by the talented RJ Buscher (SJR’24). The Delta Nu Sorority sisters were fantastically played by Samantha Landolfi’23 as Gaelen, Isabella Falletta’24 as Leilani, and Sarah Vella’22 as Kate and the Dance Captain. Elle’s mom and dad were played by the hilarious Mary Hahn’24 and Michael Mainelli (SJR’24), respectively, and the Harvard admissions officers were skillfully played by Nicholas Pantano (SJR’25) as Winthrop, Ava Previzi’24 as Lowell, and Lucyann Tappan’25 as Pforzheimer. Maeve Murray’24 played the strong feminist, Enid Hoops, Daniel Globus (CSHS’23) was the smug Aaron Schultz, and Madeline Heinimann’24 was the conceited Whitney, Vivienne’s best friend.
Madeline Sullivan’24 played Courtney, the saleswoman; Arianna DeMarco’23 was the store manager; and Daniel Globus (CSHS’23) was the Jet Blue Pilot. When Hayden Bernstein (WRHS’24) unexpectedly lost his voice, Madeline Heinniman’24 gracefully stepped in just an hour before the show for the role of Grandmaster Chad. The dog-stealing Dewey was played by Michael Mainelli (SJR’24); the prison guard by Nicholas Pantano (SJR’25); the smooth-talking UPS man, Kyle B. O’Boyle, by Troy Greco (SJR’24); and the fabulous Kiki the colorist by Shoshana Thompson’25. The final court scene would not have been as exceptional as it was without Kaitlyn DeMartini’23 as the jealous Chutney Wyndham, Lola Projahn’25 as the TV Reporter, Gianna Joshua’23 as D.A. Joyce Riley, Olivia Morrison’23 as the Judge, Arianna DeMarco’23 as the stenographer; Hayden Bernstein (WRHS’24) as the dishonest Nikos, and Anthony Koleser (SJR’24) as the betrayed Carlos. Congratulations to all our ensemble members on an outstanding run: Marissa Albert’23, Hayden Bernstein (WRHS’24), Alyssa Darella’22, Arianna DeMarco’23, Kaitlyn DeMartini’23, Isabella Falletta’24, Daniel Globus (CSHS’23), Troy Greco (SJR’24), Mary Hahn’24, Madeline Heinimann’24, Gianna Joshua’23, Anthony Koleser (SJR’24), Samantha Landolfi’23, Michael Mainelli (SJR’24), Olivia Morrison’23, Olivia Pantano’25, Nicholas Pantano (SJR’25), Ava Previzi’24, Lola Projahn’25, Madeline Sullivan’24, Lucyann Tappan’25, Shoshana Thompson’25, and Sarah Vella’22. Additionally, audiences were delighted by this year’s four-legged cast members, Lucy Alexander, the Teacup Yorkie, as Bruiser Woods, and Hank Andersen, the Bulldog, as Rufus Buonofuonte.
Special thanks to the many parent, faculty, staff, and student volunteers who dedicated their time and services to make Legally Blonde yet another spectacular IHA musical production!
Click here for the full photo album, courtesy of Mike Hamlett Photography.