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BORDENTOWNSHIP: High school earns 14 nominations for hit musical

By Jen Samuel, Managing Editor
   BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP — Talented students delivered an “outstanding performance” this past March.
   As a result, Bordentown Regional High School is up for 14 nominations for the Greater Philadelphia Area 2012 Cappie Awards in honor of its springtime production of “Legally Blonde.”
   Noteworthy, the school has been nominated for outstanding musical.
   The show was directed by Stacie Morano, technical director and theater manager for Bordentown Regional School District.
   On May 1, Ms. Morano said, “I’m extremely proud. We were the first high school in the state to produce this show, so the excitement level for the cast and crew was high even before we started. They put in a great deal of hard work and time, and it resulted in a high energy and very funny show.”
   She continued, “Regardless of whether or not we win, the achievement of receiving 14 nominations will be something the (theater) students can always be proud of (achieving).” The winners will be announced this weekend at the annual Cappies Gala on May 6 at the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center outside of Philadelphia.
   The BRHS thespians are set to perform the nominated song “Gay or European” at the event before more than 1,600 attendees. The nominees were announced on April 24.
   The play debuted March 1 through March 3 at the Bordentown Performing Arts Center. It was based on the MGM film starring Reese Witherspoon and novel by Amanda Brown.
   Bordentown’s “Legally Blonde” featured a cast of 40 students, from freshmen to seniors, as well as crew members and a student orchestra conducted by Michael Montalto.
   Auditions for “Legally Blonde” were held at the end of November. Rehearsals then began in December.
   Vocals were guided under the direction of Stephanie Abruzzo, and the choreography was overseen by Beth Boccanfuso.
   Said Ms. Morano, “We had a great time producing a modern, ‘girl-power’ show. It’s not always easy to find a musical that provides juicy parts for girls that is also appropriate for this age range. ‘Legally Blonde’ will be hard to top next year.”
   In addition to outstanding musical, BRHS has been nominated for “Gay or European” in the outstanding song category; leading actress in a musical for Arden Walker; leading actor in a musical for Matt Dalton; comic actress in a musical for Megan Sirak; outstanding male vocalist for Chris Bey; outstanding female vocalist for Samantha Martinez; featured actress in a musical for Rachel Gordon; featured actor in a musical for Brandon Hudik; outstanding dancer for Kaitlyn Anthony; outstanding dance ensemble for Video People; outstanding stage crew for students Samantha Brumbaugh, Emma Reichard, Megan Haltmeier and Megan Stein; outstanding lighting for Erin Hansell; and underclass male critic for Matt Luyber.
   The Cappies is a national program that celebrates the achievements of high school theater.
   According to a release from BRHS, the school’s Cappies Critics Team, composed of Rachel Gordon, Megan Sirak, Elise LeMassena, Hannah Ayars, Matt Luyber, and Arden Walker, have served as representatives for the Cappies program this academic year.