El Camino High has more than their fair share of talented actors and singers. Leading the way is the crazy-talented sophomore Helena Marie Woods featuring tremendous vocal and comedic skills as Natalie/Ed with a hilarious One Night with You as she ogles new guy Chad, getting herself so worked up during Follow That Dream that she has to cool herself off with an air compressor, leading the Gals in demanding A Little Less Conversation, and knocking Brand New Fool out of the park. Based on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, she woos Chad disguised as “Ed,” becoming best buddies with him before Chad starts becoming uncomfortably attracted to him/her, and Wayne Higgs is a hit as he coolly cruises through Roustabout, leads such headliners as Jailhouse Rock and All Shook Up, and gets very shaken up when he finds himself falling for “Ed” with some amusing soul searching in I Don’t Want To.

Other amazing voices and performances include the hilarious Kimberly Moore as Lorraine who falls for the uptight mayor’s son Dean (John Givens) out of Romeo and Juliet sans the tragedy, the two of them leading a cheesy and memorable It’s Now or Never scene that features a bus separating the two lovebirds, with the bus driver playing up the fact that he doesn’t need to drive or hold up the bus façade (playfully driving with no hands, waving his hat, and covering his eyes). Lorraine’s mom Sylvia is played by Jessica Duron who has a great song battle with Lorraine in That’s Alright and combines for some nice scenes with Natalie’s dad (Austin Cook). Meanwhile, Shelby Caughron is the super-hot museum curator Miss Sandra who has the town’s entire male population feigning interest in art history, Shelby nailing the big vocals including a terrific number of Let Yourself Go accompanied by some hip statues adorned by clever costumes. Not so hip is nerdy Dennis, best friend and wannabe lover of Natalie, and Matt Berry is a riot as an over-the-top nerd with his body language and timing as he latches onto new friend Chad while pining for Natalie, culminating in a hysterical confession of love.

But not everyone is so enamored of all this love crap. Allyson Francis is a holy hit as the prudish, segregationist Mayor Matilda Hyde who gets shaken up in a different way as she loses control of her son and the town, leading a revivalist You’re the Devil in Disguise that includes the ensemble as angels pitted against pitchfork-wielding devils. All backed up by a crack band, that ensemble is dynamite with their singing and dancing and energy throughout, from the big Jailhouse Rock opening to the closing Burning Love.

Performed March 19 - 28, 2010  

Rob Hopper
rob@nationalyouththeatre.com
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Executive Director
National Youth Arts