Local High Schools Prepare For Fall Theater Productions

With autumn’s arrival come cooler temperatures, cascading leaves and the fall high school theater season. This month, Severna Park High School (SPHS) is staging “Legally Blonde,” and Broadneck High School (BHS) is presenting “The 39 Steps.” Rehearsals are currently underway, and students and staff are excited for the performances.

Elle Woods Takes Center Stage in “Legally Blonde” at Severna Park High School

This musical adaptation of the iconic film is based on the book by Heather Hach, with music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin. “Legally Blonde” revolves around Elle Woods, an upbeat Delta Nu sorority sister. Her boyfriend, Warner, ends their relationship to attend Harvard Law School and look for a more serious and suitable romantic partner. Elle subsequently enrolls at Harvard to win Warner back, navigating multiple challenges along the way.

The Falcons’ staging is directed by Pete Garvey, a 1987 SPHS alum. Nearly 100 students are involved, including 48 actors, a 20-piece orchestra, and 30 crew members. Garvey is thrilled to bring such a well-known story to the stage.

“It’s going to be amazing. It’s going to be incredibly awesome. We’ve got amazing talent, we’ve got a great directorial team across the board,” Garvey said.

Junior Everly Hendricks stars as Elle Woods. She was surprised to have landed the lead role, which comes with its own unique challenges.

“I was very surprised – I didn’t expect it. I was very excited, and almost nervous because of how big a role it is. One of the biggest challenges (of playing Elle) is that her vocal range is a little higher than I’m used to, and that she just has so many lines and scenes. It’s definitely the most challenging role that I’ve had,” Hendricks said.

“Legally Blonde” at SPHS runs November 6-14. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at www.sphsdrama.com.

At Broadneck High School, “The 39 Steps” Delivers Mystery, Mayhem and Laughs

Written by Patrick Barlow, “The 39 Steps” is a stage adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock’s 1935 film, which is based on John Buchan’s 1915 novel. The play tells the story of Richard Hannay, an everyday man who unexpectedly meets a woman claiming to be a spy and lets her hide in his home to escape assassins. The next morning, Hannay discovers she has been murdered, and a nationwide search for her killer is organized. Hilarity and hijinks ensue throughout, leading to a surprising finale.

The cast includes 11 students, and eight students work on multiple production crews. Broadneck English teacher Kevin Whewell leads the theater program, is directing the show, and said he selected “The 39 Steps” because he enjoys period pieces and wanted to challenge his students.

“I love the script because it is just so tongue-in-cheek. It certainly follows Alfred Hitchcock’s film, but it also pulls in comedic material from Monty Python and similar material,” Whewell said. “The staging is really fascinating, and a lot of it is meant to be left to the audience’s imagination. We have some scenes on a train, but we obviously can’t put a train on the stage. There’s a lot of pantomime work, and because of that, the students have to move very precisely.”

Senior El Chambers is one of four students who alternate in the role of Richard Hannay during the show. Chambers said that being involved with the production brings both challenges and rewards.

“One of the greatest challenges is finding the time to rehearse outside the theater when combining with schoolwork and personal life. The greatest rewards are the friends I’ve made. Even those who graduated, I’m still friends with them, and the friendships last beyond high school,” Chambers said.

Natalie Niles portrays the comedic role of Margaret, a Scottish woman who helps Hannay escape capture. The senior Bruin said that performing comedy requires precision and balance.

“You have to be a lot more physical with your acting, depending on your scene partners. It can be kind of hard to not go into a caricature, so it’s a balance between making sure your character is fleshed out without being a stereotype of a comedic role,” Niles said.

“The 39 Steps” at BHS runs November 19-21, with performances starting at 7 p.m. on all three dates. Tickets are available at the door, and payment can be made by cash or credit card.