Flint Hill School The Boy Friend

By Cappies • Jun 4th, 2013 • Category: Cappies, Virginia

Effervescent romance, toe-tapping jazz bands, and peppy Charleston jives — the sparkling spirit of the roaring twenties takes the stage at Flint Hill School’s production in The Boy Friend.

This musical, written by Sandy Wilson, premiered in London in 1954 where it became an instant success. It marked Julie Andrews’ stage début, skyrocketing the fame of the iconic star. The show spoofs the frivolous frills characteristic of 1920s musical comedies, following the ill-fated love of English heiress Polly at Madame Dubonnet’s Finishing School in French Riviera. When the esteemed young lady falls for a handsome delivery boy Tony, scandal is sure to arise. With an overprotective father, a gaggle of gossipy girls, and the Carnival Ball just around the corner, the flirtatious young lovers face a few bumps in their relationship, but always bounce back with a smile and a song. The lighthearted humor of the show makes it a sure crowd pleaser.

As the leading lady Polly, Keeley McLaughlin lit up the stage with her giggly pep. Her soprano voice was a perfect compliment to her innocent characterization, as she hit even the highest of notes with pure, melodic ease. McLaughlin’s consistent harmonies with her beau Tony (John Osborn) in songs such as “I Could Be Happy With You,” accented the natural chemistry between the lovers. As they nervously flirted, her giddy flouncing and his shy smile made the two an endearing and heartwarming pair. Additionally, in a show sometimes marked by over acting, Osborn’s authentic boyishness and unassuming devotion to Polly made his performance a standout.

The supporting cast featured many stellar performers. Kyle Decamp, as the elderly and slightly scandalous Lord Brockhust, sent eruptions of laughter through the auditorium as he drunkenly staggered about the stage attempting, with little avail, to make smooth talk with all the young girls at the ball. Alex Ervin, the academy’s chic French maid Hortense, displayed poignant comic timing that did justice to all of her wonderfully snarky remarks. Grace Cleland as Polly’s irresistibly bubbly best friend Maisie was hilarious in scenes such as “Safety In Numbers,” in which she shamelessly flirted with a band of young bachelors and basked in their affections. Other standout scenes included “Carnival Tango,” in which Charlotte Sadar and Colbey Davies set the stage ablaze with their staccato movements. Sadar’s mesmerizing turns, sharp kicks, and raw passion left the audience awestruck.

The technical elements of Flint Hill’s production fit the vivacious spirit of the show. The bright, expertly executed makeup lit up the faces of the actors as they gleefully jived about the stage. The stage crew seamlessly carried out scene changes, keeping the pace of the show smoothly rolling forward.

With the thriving pizzazz of the jazz age, the cast of Flint Hill School created a wonderfully frothy production of The Boy Friend that was brimming with delights.

by Marielle Burt of McLean High School