Cappies: Colonel By’s Legally Blonde vivid artistry from start to finish

Published Mar 17, 2025

Last updated Apr 02, 2025

12 minute read

Warner Huntington III played by Landon Macdonald-Quig(L) and Elle Woods played by Averie Smith(R), during Colonel By Secondary School’s Cappies production of Legally Blonde the Musical. Photo by Christine Swann /StudentArticle content

Show # 5
Colonel By Secondary School
Legally Blonde: The Musical
Director: Greg Crossett

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Sanaa Modasser, Critic
A.Y. Jackson Secondary School

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How far will one go in the pursuit of love? In the case of Elle Woods, Malibu sorority queen, love pushes her to the LSATs, the Harvard admissions office, and eventually thrusts her into the cutthroat legal world. In a tale of defying stereotypes, the pursuit of a boy leads one young vivacious blonde to discover what she is truly capable of. Colonel By Secondary School’s Legally Blonde: The Musical was an electric feat of technical prowess and vivid artistry from start to finish.

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Through Anais Choo Fon’s sleek lighting cues— note the signature pink hues when Elle sings out amidst an ensemble— and the Criminally Blonde Orchestra’s musical flourishes across twenty songs, UCLA, Harvard, and the courtroom become wholly immersive. The sets alone create entire worlds to complement their characters. Bee Bliss and team’s set pieces, like the flowery purple walls of the Hair Affair Salon, were as detailed as they were grand, and the set changes were smooth throughout.

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Serena played by Alison Zondervan(L), Pilar played by Marlene Petros Oommen(2ndFL), Elle Woods played by Averie Smith(2ndFR) and Margot played by Keira Holahan(R), during Colonel By Secondary School’s Cappies production of Legally Blonde the Musical. Photo by Christine Swann /StudentArticle content

Averie Smith brought Elle Woods to life through a stunning performance, as both actress and vocalist. Smith curates Woods’s personality, through her easy hilarity— “I object!”— and signature high pitched shock— “You’re breaking up with me?” Smith employs facial expressions adeptly, building up Elle’s own character and fostering a natural chemistry with Smith’s co-stars. Orlando Robinson portrayed Emmett Forrest, Elle’s mentor and budding love interest, with a lovestruck performance of an intelligent young man that coupled sweetly with Smith’s radiance.

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Delta Nu’s Greek chorus trio lit up the stage throughout, and while they may often stand to the side as a figment of Elle’s imagination, their combination of vocals and comically sensuous choreography was anything but overlooked. Erika Speelman and team’s Y2K-esque costuming stands out especially in the girls’ catalog of iconic outfits. Marlene Petros Oommen’s Pilar, one third of the farcical trio, was especially magnetic, with elegant vocals and deft physicality laced with charisma.

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The production bled beautifully between a heartfelt, earnest story of perseverance and love into a comedic marvel, with the entire cast seamlessly tapped into a vein of timing and spot-on delivery. Tala Al-Iriani as Paulette Buonofuonte stunned with hilarious presence and liveliness, both precise comedic timing and a sincerity to Al-Iriani’s acting, especially evident in the performance of “Ireland,” and in the character’s swooning for Kyle B. O’Boyle— whose performance by Zach Zegers, highlighted by a powerful strut, was a feat in and of itself.

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Hayel Abu-Hamdan as Nikos continued to bring the play’s physical comedy to a new level, commanding the stage— and courtroom— with a riotous performance. Abu-Hamdan’s characterisation of Nikos was expertly carried out through an accent, dance number, and punchline-ready peacocking during an unforgettable experience in the song “Gay or European?”.

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If the mark of a great musical is its catchiness, then the flawless execution of “Omigod You Guys” and “Legally Blonde” alone were unforgettable. The night was a culmination of evident dedication, talent, and ardent artistic expression by the students of Colonel By Secondary School, bringing the pink-tinged world of Legally Blonde: The Musical to life.

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Ella Wattie, Critic
Almonte and District High School

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Can brains and beauty really go hand in hand? Colonel By Secondary School’s production of Heather Hach’s Legally Blonde: The Musical stepped up and illustrated how with a little bit of determination and a lot of pink, anything is possible!

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After getting her heart broken by her high-achieving boyfriend Warner, Elle Woods follows him to Harvard Law School in an attempt to win him back by proving that she can be just as serious as he can. As she gets acquainted with her new classmates, she begins to realize that her priorities at Harvard Law are changing, and all the academic factors that she used to overlook are becoming more important. Nonetheless, she never fails to honour her stylish past as she begins to defy expectations and excel in her classes.

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Embodying the vivacious Elle Woods, Averie Smith was superb in every aspect of the performance. With impressive vocals and a wide range of expressions, Smith exemplified a remarkable combination of confidence, supportiveness, and intellectual curiosity. Cast as Emmett Forrest, complementary to Smith, Orlando Robinson had a distinct and encouraging energy throughout the show. Robinson consistently supported Smith in acting and in harmonies, with believable facial expressions and a strong voice. In the song “Take it Like a Man,” both actors showed hilarious physicality in their roles, while also conveying the playful uncertainty of a budding romance.

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Elle Woods played by Averie Smith(M) and the cast of Legally Blonde the Musical, during Colonel By Secondary School’s Cappies production of Legally Blonde the Musical Photo by Christine Swann /StudentArticle content

Glory Philip’s portrayal of Vivienne Kensington was a graceful transition from invidious towards Elle at the beginning, to a supportive ally at the end. Although the character had a rather stoic demeanour, Philip was able to convey an impressive array of feelings using body language and line delivery. Hayel Abu-Hamdan’s performance as Nikos was a delightful highlight, especially in the hilarious number, “Gay or European”. Abu-Hamdan was able to use expressive gestures to create a comedic masterpiece, even while silent, and added a side-splitting element to the suspenseful song.

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Among the most noteworthy parts of the show was the Criminally Blonde Orchestra. Nearly every scene and song were accompanied by impeccable music that added to the energy of each moment. The musicians were able to accurately convey different emotions throughout every song, ranging from low heartedness to tension to pure, unfiltered excitement. The lighting team, led by Anais Choo Fon, worked well with the orchestra, timing the lighting cues to match the music throughout the show and set the mood for the actors onstage.

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Colonel By Secondary School’s production of Legally Blonde: The Musical was a vibrant and energetic showcase, with standout performances and impressive devotion to elements both on and offstage that brought the story to life in an unforgettable way.

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Gianna Dufresne, Critic
St. Joseph High School

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Loving yourself for who you are isn’t always easy, especially when people might judge you for something as simple as the colour of your hair. In Colonel By Secondary School’s production of Legally Blonde: The Musical, Elle Woods proves that it’s always possible to follow your dreams, break stereotypes, and stay true to yourself.

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Set in the mid-2000s, Legally Blonde: The Musical follows the story of Elle Woods, a blonde sorority president with a 4.0 GPA and a talent for fashion. After being dumped by her boyfriend Warner, Elle hatches a plan to attend Harvard Law and win him back. Through her many setbacks and victories at Harvard, Elle finds friendship, discovers her passion for law, and learns that she can be more than what others expect from her.

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The role of Elle Woods was perfectly portrayed by Averie Smith. Smith’s cadence expressed character, emotion, and comedy through variations in pitch and volume, creating an entertaining and captivating depiction of Elle. Smith’s powerful vocals were full of life and emotion in every song, and exhibited impressive breath control while holding longer notes.

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Elle Woods played by Averie Smith(L), Margot played by Keira Holahan(2ndFL), Serena played by Alison Zondervan(3rdFL), Kate played by Athena Scerri Diacono(M), Delta Nu played by Sevin Bastani(3rdFR), Pilar played by Marlene Petros Oommen(2ndFR), Delta Nu played by Erica Haniff(R), during Colonel By Secondary School’s Cappies production of Legally Blonde the Musical Photo by Christine Swann /StudentArticle content

A skilled supporting cast and ensemble are invaluable in a musical production. Colonel By Secondary School’s Legally Blonde: The Musical had both in abundance. Emmett Forrest (Orlando Robinson) had excellent chemistry with Elle Woods. Robinson’s acting as Emmett was subtle and natural, with a genuine, casual delivery that fit the character. Even when not speaking, Robinson stayed in character by convincingly reacting to and interacting with others and the environment.

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Tala Al-Iriani as Paulette Buonofuonte had an engaging stage presence, amazing comedic timing, and played the role with all the vivacity of Paulette’s character. Al-Iriani conveyed Paulette’s emotions through confident use of body language and stunning vocals.

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Hayel Abu-Hamdan and Ben Gombos’s performances as Nikos and Carlos were bold, dramatic, and amusing. Both Abu-Hamdan and Gombos were able to sing while putting on an accent and were committed to their roles. Abu-Hamdan’s use of body language and Gombos’s expressive voice created an unforgettable comedic duo. Each member of the supporting cast allowed their character’s personality to guide their every action, and the entire ensemble’s acting, dancing, and singing breathed life into the musical.

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The cast’s phenomenal performance would not have been possible without the equally impressive orchestra. The orchestra consisted of numerous percussion, string, brass, and woodwind instruments, played by the talented students of Colonel By Secondary School. The members of the orchestra worked well together, with no one instrument overpowering another. The smooth execution of dynamic changes reinforced the events unfolding on stage. The orchestra handled a wide range of musical styles with consistent expertise and accuracy.

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Diverse styles of hair, makeup, and costumes reflected each character’s personality and role while staying cohesive and true to the time period. Several impressive onstage quick-changes were completed seamlessly at various points in the production. The vibrant costumes, hair, and makeup felt lived-in and real and greatly enhanced the story.

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Both the cast and crew played their parts with impressive proficiency. Thanks to them, Colonel By Secondary School’s adaptation of Legally Blonde: The Musical was full of spirit, comedy, and talent more commonly seen in a professional production.

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Chethna Adikari, Critic
Merivale High School

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Just like its main character, Colonel By Secondary School’s Legally Blonde: The Musical was fabulous, remarkable, and especially pink! This musical was visually stunning with an incredibly strong performance delivered by the cast as well as the crew, and musical numbers that will have you dancing in your seat!

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Based on the book by Amanda Brown, Legally Blonde: The Musical follows Elle Woods, played by Averie Smith, a bubbly sorority girl who enrolls in Harvard Law School to win back her ex-boyfriend. During her time at Harvard, Elle defies stereotypes, finds love, and defends a client in a murder trial, all while looking fabulous. Legally Blonde: The Musical dives into themes of misogyny in the workplace, feminism, and stereotyping.

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One of many highlights of this incredible musical was the Criminally Blonde Orchestra. They delivered a stellar performance, hitting every note with flawless accuracy. The music blended harmoniously with the actors’ powerful vocals, seamlessly painting the scene. A standout moment for the orchestra was violinist Lydia Zhou’s remarkable act of walking across the stage while playing a solo.

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In addition to the orchestra, the costumes were gorgeous and effectively conveyed both setting and character. A prime example of this was Paulette Buonofuonte’s, played by Tala Al-Iriani, outfits. They effectively used layering combined with a liberal use of denim to demonstrate the 2000s setting of the musical. The poofy, over the top nature of the costumes perfectly conveyed Paulette’s dramatic, hilarious nature. Another example of the brilliant costumes was the UCLA cheerleader costumes used during “What You Want Part 2”. All the Delta Nu girls were wearing matching UCLA cheerleader shirts, which allowed Elle in her sparkly pink, to stand out. The cheer outfits matched the energy of the scene as well as the energy of the Delta Nu girls. Overall the costumes were amazingly done and by far one of the many things making this show as marvellous as it was.

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Elle Woods played by Averie Smith(L), Emmett Forrest played by Orlando Robinson(R) and the cast of Legally Blonde the Musical, during Colonel By Secondary School’s Cappies production of Legally Blonde the Musical. Photo by Christine Swann /StudentArticle content

Another incredible piece of Legally Blonde: The Musical was the talented cast. Every single actor delivered a strong, memorable performance, with impactful stage presence and stellar vocals. Averie Smith embodied Elle Woods through magnificent acting and vocals. Averie’s voice was clear with an astonishing vocal range and captivating performance. Throughout the show Averie was constantly in character, bringing Elle’s girly and intelligent nature to life. Another surprisingly striking performance was Emerson Ribeiro in the role of Professor Callahan. Emerson brought the successful but sleazy professor to life. The inflection Emerson used in both singing and speaking made Professor Callahan stand out. The voice gave Professor Callahan ever present slimy energy, making his actions appear more realistic rather than out of the blue.

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Colonel By Secondary School’s production of Legally Blonde: The Musical was engaging, outstanding, and hilarious. It was a truly exquisite musical, taking a journey through self-discovery, feminism, and, most importantly, blonde brilliance.

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Silvi Assaf, Critic
St. Francis Xavier High School

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Whoever said “orange is the new pink” clearly hasn’t seen Colonel By Secondary School’s dazzling production of Legally Blonde: The Musical.

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Overflowing with wit, charm, and enough high-energy choreography to make even Elle Woods break a sweat, this production proved that passion, perseverance, and a little bit of pink power can conquer anything—including Harvard Law.

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Legally Blonde follows the transformative journey of Elle Woods, a determined young woman who defies stereotypes and embraces her unique power as she sets off for Harvard Law. The narrative balances humour and heart, inviting the audience to rethink what it means to be both smart and stylish.

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From the moment the curtain rose, the cast and crew delivered a polished, energetic performance. Each scene transitioned smoothly, with actors maintaining high energy throughout. The Delta Nu ensemble captivated with flawless coordination, creating a dynamic and cohesive performance. Choreographed numbers, synchronized lighting, and dynamic staging kept the energy on stage consistently high.

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Averie Smith, who portrayed Elle Woods, commanded the stage with an expressive performance, whether through dialogue or song. From the bubbly optimism of “Omigod You Guys” to the show-stopping empowerment of “So Much Better,” Smith navigated Elle’s emotional journey with authenticity and charm. Smith’s ability to convey raw emotion—especially in “Legally Blonde” —added depth to the character. Smith’s energy never wavered, and with mastery of both body language and tone ensured that Elle remained the focal point of every scene.

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Orlando Robinson’s portrayal of Emmett Forrest was filled with subtle but powerful moments that brought sincerity and depth to the character. Robinson often looked at Elle with a quiet, supportive intensity, this gaze conveying Emmett’s unwavering belief in her, even when others doubted. Robinson’s body language was equally telling, as the performer stood with a calm assurance that emphasized Emmett’s quiet confidence, allowing this character’s growth to unfold naturally alongside Elle’s.

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Behind the scenes, technical elements elevated the entire experience. Inventive set designs by Bee Bliss and the set crew, with creative use of off-stage spaces, enhanced the production. Timely lighting transitions by Anais Choo Fon and the lighting crew crafted an immersive atmosphere. Choreography by Sevin Bastani, Sasha Wallace, and Ciele Bilodeau added vibrant movement, while hair and makeup by Chelsea Jean-Baptiste, Sirine Georges, and Tazmeen Mahmud and team brought realism to the characters. Props by Mekenna Narraway and the props crew completed the visual storytelling, ensuring a cohesive and engaging show.

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Colonel By Secondary School’s Legally Blonde: The Musical radiated with pink energy, encouraging ambition, self-expression, and the courage to break expectations. Through standout performances, clever design choices, and an unwavering sense of fun, this production proved that Elle Woods was right all along: being true to yourself is always in style.

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About the reviews:

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The Colonel By Secondary School production was reviewed by 38 critics representing 6 schools. The critic discussions were mentored by teacher Jillian Bludgell of Immaculata High School and student reviews were edited and selected for publication by teacher Alex Budgell of Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School, who could see only the reviews, not the names or schools of the reviewers.

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Next review: Elmwood School’s production of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

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About the Cappies:

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The Citizen and 23 high schools are participating in the Cappies, a Washington, D.C.based program that uses high school critics to review high school theatre. The program is a unique partnership between the Ottawa Citizen, the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and the Ottawa Catholic School Board. Two schools from other boards in the region and two private schools have also joined. The Cappies season culminates with an awards Gala in June graciously hosted by the National Arts Centre. Follow Canada’s Capital Cappies on X (formerly known as Twitter) and Instagram @OttawaCappies.

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