Elysa Hernandez, Elle Woods
How was it coming into this character?
Becoming Elle was a little hard for me just because she’s very straightforward. She’s very confident and she’s just really funny, and it’s kind of hard for me to be funny because that means people are laughing at me. So I was like, they’re laughing at me, but then I realized they’re not laughing at me; they’re laughing at Elle, the character that I’m playing and that’s my role as the actress on stage: to be funny. So really just doing everything that I can to be funny and look dumb on stage was kind of hard for me, but otherwise, I feel like Elle and I have a couple of similarities. So it was a little bit hard and easy at the same time.
What kind of similarities do you have to your character, Elle Woods?
I don’t know exactly what similarities, but she’s a leader and I would consider myself to be a leader. She looks over all of the Delta Nus, all of her sorority sisters, and I think that I kind of do the same thing in choir and at home too since I have a little sister. So I think always taking on that leadership role and really watching over people is one of the main similarities that Elle and I have.
How has your experience been in the musical so far?
It’s been, overall, a really fun experience, one that I am so glad that I have just because the whole drama community is … very close knit and very comfortable with each other, and they’ve helped me a lot, [and] given me more confidence to be more confident myself. They’ve kind of brought out the funnier side of me. I’m really grateful for that.
What got you into theater?
I auditioned for my first musical when I was in seventh grade for Beauty and the Beast and that’s when I found my passion for singing. I like acting but singing was really what drew me into theater. I’d always been a dancer growing up, so I loved the performing aspect of dancing, but [for] theater, singing was it for me, so then I started taking voice lessons and then I auditioned for the musical here and that’s how I got in. … It’s just a fun experience. Rehearsal doesn’t feel dreadful and long. It feels like a genuinely fun time for all of us.
Andre Wang, Callahan
How has your experience been in the musical so far?
It’s been a lot of fun. Everyone in the cast is pretty talented, so it’s always really fun just working with them. Also learning the music, and I guess just trying to get better at acting [is great]. I feel like I haven’t had that much experience in acting, personally. I’ve mostly been doing choir most of my life, for almost like a decade now. I feel like the musical has been a really nice opportunity for me to get better at that.
What are some challenges that you’ve faced in the musical?
Well, I play a kind of jerk-guy, and I really don’t like him that much. But I still have to try to learn how to put myself in that person’s shoes. It’s definitely weird trying to empathize, especially when you’re the villain. That’s probably the biggest challenge so far.
Jane Palladino, Paulette
Why are you passionate about theater? What got you into this?
I’ve been doing theater since fifth grade. I don’t really remember why I started, but I just love it. It’s one of my passions, my passion in life, and I love singing, dancing, acting, all of it. I like directing and like writing too. So I just love every aspect of it.
What is your favorite part about being in the musical?
My favorite part about being in musicals is just connecting with your character. No matter how big or small your role is, I feel like there’s always something you relate to a lot, like with Paulette. Paulette and I are almost the same person. But in other circumstances, you get to do a little psychoanalysis of your character and it’s super fun.
What’s your favorite costume you’ve ever gotten to wear for a musical?
Honestly, my favorite costume was probably [the] Wargrave [costume from] “And Then There Were None.” [Also,] I love one of my Paulette costumes. It’s just so perfect for the character and our costumer is amazing. I love her so much.
Diana Martinez, Serena
What motivated you to audition for “Legally Blonde?”
I love “Legally Blonde.” I saw this one show on YouTube that was free, called “The Search for Elle Woods,” and in it they looked for this new person to replace Laura Bell Bundy (who originated the role of Elle Woods) and that’s kind of what started my obsession with “Legally Blonde.” So I was already obsessed with the movie. I really liked it, and I was planning on auditioning for the 2022 musical anyways, but just to realize it was going to be “Legally Blonde” made me so much more excited. I just couldn’t wait to do it. I also knew a lot of the songs so I felt really prepared during my audition.
Why are you passionate about theater? What got you into it?
What made me really passionate about it is that in elementary school, we did little mini musicals and plays, but they were all educational, so it wasn’t the full experience and … it was part of our grade to do them. Sophomore year, I was in beginning drama, and it was really fun, so I think that’s really helped.
Ashlyn Tsui,
What got you into theater?
I started theater when I was in fourth grade or fifth grade. My parents thought I was too closed off and shy so they thought that theater would be a good way to get me into talking to or opening up to more people and ever since it’s just been super fun to be in musical theater and singing, and I just love it.
How has your experience been in the musical so far?
It’s been really fun actually. I thought I’d be really tired after school, but it’s actually really fun to be around such energetic people and [work] with them.
What is your favorite part about being in the musical?
My favorite part about being in the musical is hearing all the harmonies, … the music and the dancing coming together. It’s just really awesome to see.
Gemma Gibeault, Ensemble Actor
Why are you passionate about theater?
I love making people happy and just knowing that people in the audience can have an escape for two hours, or however long the musical is. It’s just great because especially during COVID-19, it’s hard to find an escape or an emotion other than being sad about COVID-19. So just knowing that we can all entertain people for two hours on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday — it just makes me so happy.
What is your favorite part about being in the musical so far?
Surprisingly, I like having an excuse to exercise. We have a lot of dance rehearsals, so definitely a set amount of time to go to dance rehearsal is really good for me because I always put off exercise. I [also] love all the friends that I’ve made.
How was your experience compared to here in musical theater versus your old performing arts school?
I know this sounds crazy, but I actually learned a lot more here than at my old school, because at this school, they focus a lot more on individual and group work than at my old school. For productions, they kind of looked at everyone as a whole. So a lot of the times I felt like I didn’t know what I was specifically supposed to be doing, but in this show, they make sure that every single person knows what they’re doing, and if everybody feels good about it, then we can move on. But if one person is unsure, then we make sure everybody knows what they’re doing.
