HARLINGEN — They’re back!
And the kids and faculty at the Harlingen Performing Arts Conservatory are ready to have some fun.
It’s Legally Blonde. With an all-star cast of fresh and veteran talent to make an audience laugh with the over-the-top caricatures in this fun and upbeat musical.
“Considering the past year and a half that we’ve all had, we wanted to greet the community with a show that was fun, upbeat, uplifting, in your face type energy that’s all about the tenacity of the human spirit,” said Eddie Cavazos, director and choreographer.
“It’s definitely a musical comedy with elements of high camp for sure,” Cavazos said. “It’s very campy, over the top, bordering caricature at time with some of these characters but then finding the humanity within that. I think it’s been a blast overall. I think I can speak for most of the kids.”
And the kids had plenty to say.
“I love it,” said Lauren Bender, who plays Paulette.
“It’s definitely been very difficult this past year,” said Lauren, 17, a senior. “I joined Conservatory to be a part of these musicals and these productions and then when COVID happened it was like shut down so this is actually my first musical that I get to be a part of.
The musical tells the story of Elle Woods, who applies to Harvard Law School to follow an ex-boyfriend. Not exactly the kind of thing Aaron Blount, 16, would do, but she’s having fun playing the character.
“She is a devoted sorority girl on steroids, ultra-mega delta new girl,” Aaron said with a laugh.
“She gets heart broken by the love of her life or who she thinks is the love of her life because he needs someone more serious,” she said. “So she takes on the role of a Harvard student in order to please him.”
However, Elle goes through an unforeseen change of heart and realizes she doesn’t need the guy. Instead, she becomes a “smarter version of herself or a better version of herself,” Aaron continued.
“In the end she finds a man who has accepted her from the beginning and helped her on her way, and it’s really just a very empowering female lead role,” she said.
It’s also a powerful female role for Lauren’s Paulette. Just as Elle Woods finds her way, she also helps Paulette become a more grounded person.
“She works at a salon and she meets Elle when she comes in begging to be a brunette,” Lauren said. “They become very good friends, and Elle introduces her to her friends and they become this very supportive girl group. Elle Woods helps Paulette regain her confidence after a long time of not really knowing what she’s doing with her life.”
And then there’s Emmett Forrest, played by Bruce G. Gonzales, who has been supporting Elle Woods through her own transformation.
“Emmett Forrest is an older guy at Harvard,” said Bruce, 16, a junior.
“Basically, his job is to assist the professor,” Bruce explained. “He passes out schedules, he talks to people who need help, and his character in this play essentially helps Elle Woods li a really tricky spot. He helps her get better, become more serious in the school and he starts developing feelings for Elle Woods.”
While Aaron is a veteran of the PAC stage, this is Bruce’s first serious role in a play at this venue. He was at the PAC last year but played minor background roles.
“The most I’ve enjoyed is just being given the opportunity to show off talents that I have and just do a good job the best I can,” he said.
He’s glad to see everybody back in person.
“It’s awesome to see all my friends again, to be able to sing, to work on my craft,” he said. “It’s been a real good experience. It’s been a rough year and now I’m happy to see everybody .again.”
Legally Blonde opens September 18. Other productions this season include Man of La Mancha, The Nutcracker and Peter Pan. Check the hcisdpa.org for details.
