Nanuet Students Reflect on their Blockbuster Stage Performance of Legally Blonde

At sold-out shows this March, Nanuet’s Drama Society recently performed Legally Blonde. This Broadway hit follows the classic 2001 film about a hapless female protagonist, Elle Woods, attempting to find love (and herself) inside and outside of the courtroom. With classics such as “Omigod you Guys” and “There, Right, There,” community members poured into the auditorium to see the show and were fully entertained by the humor, colorful costumes, choreography and more. 

Junior Kate Gleeson-Feldman, who played Elle Woods in this year’s show, enjoyed representing the drama society as this year’s lead actress.

“The best part of being Elle was interacting with all the other characters,” she said. “From being goofy with the Delta Nus and Paulette to daydreaming about Warner and helping Emmett crack from his stern lawyerly [manner], it was really amazing to display Elle’s journey to finding herself.”

Her experience portraying Woods went beyond the stage, too, Gleeson-Feldman said.

“There’s such a close bond between everyone because you spend so much time together, so I think that being backstage and on set was always so fun,” she said. “I think one of my favorite memories was on opening night being backstage and hearing the overture start to play and just realizing that all the hard work we put into this was going to be displayed and it all led up to that moment and it’s just a huge adrenaline rush.”

The role was gratifying to play, she explained, adding that despite the hard work that went into it, she would do it all over again if she could.

“I would 100% perform in Legally Blonde again,” she said. “It was an amazing experience and I really enjoyed taking a deep dive into the character and being able to make it my own.”

Freshman Peter Tynan also enjoyed his experience and wishes to pursue drama in the future, saying he hopes to take part in next year’s drama production.

“[Drama is] great fun, something to do, and an excellent method to hang out with my friends because a lot of them also do it,” he said. The [best part is the] people, easily. It’s a great group of people and, after a couple months of [the show], you’re bonded to them.”

It was emotional for Senior Rebecca Wayne to take part in her last Nanuet theater production, who said she would love to perform in more shows if she were not graduating. 

“If I could graduate but still get to act in Nanuet theater, trust me, I would,” she said.

One of the most valuable parts of Nanuet Theater, according to Wayne, is the friendships that are made. Performing on stage, she said, was an experience of its own that was exciting to watch evolve.

“My favorite part has to be tech week,” she said. “Although it is gruesome at some points work wise, it still is so beautiful watching everything come together to have a beautiful product.” 

Sophomore Julia Lehane enjoyed seeing the cast and set form into its final product.

“I really enjoyed being on stage,” she said. “Watching the set get built thinking there was no way it would be ready in time was probably the most stressful thing ever. But as we got closer and closer to the show, [seeing] every little detail come together in the set, was honestly perfect. I loved watching each little detail people added to their character. Even a small facial expression brought the whole show together.”

Lehane also reflected on her role, Enid Hoopes, a dramatic supporting character with an attitude to match their snarky and dominant personality. 

“Being Enid was honestly the most fun I have had playing a role,” she said. “[Her] personality was very prominent in her character and so fun to play around with. My favorite scene for my role was Gay or European which was honestly perfect for Enid. After a couple of weeks of thinking back on my character, I would definitely have added a few things to make her even funnier.”

Wayne, who played the slapstick hairdresser Paulette Bonafonté, also found her role enjoyable and full of expression. 

“My role, she’s a lot, she’s got a lot going on and a huge personality,” she said. “What I love most about Paulette is that she’s always honest and caring towards the people she loves, [and] through the script she eventually finds her confidence to be herself and embrace everything about her which I also adore. But most importantly, I loved channeling my inner Staten Island 40 year-old dog mom, with an accent thicker than War & Peace, hoops bigger than Saturn’s rings, and more gold necklaces than Cleopatra.”

Being on stage was exciting, but backstage, Tynan, who served multiple roles in this year’s show, commented on the level of urgency and precision it takes to keep the show moving.

“It was fun, but all the changes were extremely close,” he said. “I actually had to get cut for one of my ensembles because I didn’t have time to change. Backstage, I have to thank [the] costume crew; without them, many people would have straight up missed their parts.

The stage crew also did a fantastic job, according to Tynan.

“The set was great,” he said. “It was nice hanging out in the back or panicking trying to avoid all the benches that were constantly being moved.”

Overall, many found the show to be an experience they wouldn’t forget, especially Gleeson-Feldman.

“My biggest regret is not doing it sooner,” she said. “I have made inseparable bonds from doing the show that I would never have if I didn’t do the shows. Everyone in the theater is so welcoming and supportive and I couldn’t be happier because these people are in my life.”