Reviews: Amélie at McLean HS
Written by Winnie Emerick of Langley High School
With a flash, a camera captures a moment in time that contains the essence of what it means to live, and McLean High School's production of Amélie accomplishes the same with stunning stage pictures, bold design, and refreshing performances.
Written by Craig Lucas, Daniel Messe, and Nathan Tyson, Amelie tells the story of a sheltered young woman who uses acts of kindness to help others find meaning in their lives while she finds it in her own. Despite being a dreamer with an extraordinary outlook on life, when Amelie crosses paths with Nino, a scattered young man obsessed with torn photographs, the courage to make her dreams a reality escapes her. Through a hilarious set of elaborate plans, Amelie finds her voice and the strength within her to take her chance to be truly happy.
Leading this exciting production was Audrey Link as Amélie whose enchanting soft smile beautifully captured the quiet but powerful joy of the character and the wonder that she holds for the world. Link's weighted gazes towards the audience expertly portrayed Amélie's separation from everyone else on stage and her yearning for connection, while the twinkle in her eye showcased the humor and passion with which she went through life. The perfect partner for Link's performance was Alex Valencic as Nino, who artfully embodied a deep curiosity for the intricacies of life and loss, which was a driving message in the show. The dynamics in volume and inflection that Valencic adopted crafted a sense of Nino's tumbling thoughts, which was further amplified in captivating numbers such as "When the Booth Goes Bright". The piercing tone and raw emotion in Valencic's voice left the audience absolutely captivated, and when paired with Link's bright, velvety sound, the result was a splendid reflection of the magic in the love found between their characters.
A true triumph of this entire production was the expert use of subtle concepts that were executed in a way to become larger than life expressions of the atmosphere of the piece. Such as the props crew's brilliant use of LiteBrites, which was a unique idea that not only added tremendous amounts of humor and vibrancy but also brought Amélie's imagination to the stage and became integral in plot points like "Blue Arrow Suite". Shifting tableaus, synchronized ensemble movements, and colorful ribbons were integrated by the choreography team to enhance the storytelling and deliver the quirkiness and eccentricity of the production in an incredibly elegant way. A standout example of this elegance was the Blue Bottle Fly, portrayed by Hope Titus, who displayed excellent technique and gorgeous lines in every movement while en pointe to represent the mystical nature of the character and create a truly stellar performance.
Another key aspect of this production was the emphasis on individuality that was accomplished both by the ensemble as well as the hair, makeup, and costume crew; no matter the size of a role, each character had enough detail to stand out on their own while still working as a cohesive group.
McLean High School's production of Amélie was a whimsical and enjoyable experience that explored the possibilities that life has to offer and the value of connection with others. After all, you never know what could happen if you follow your dreams down a trail of breadcrumbs.
Written by Bella Nider of Woodson High School
Step into a world where garden gnomes travel the globe, photo booths hold secrets, and one shy Parisian waitress dares to make life a bit more magical for everyone around her. McLean High School's production of Amélie is a charming, offbeat adventure that honors the importance of whimsy.
With a book by Craig Lucas, lyrics by Daniel Messe and Nathan Tysen, and music by Daniel Messe, Amélie tells the story of an imaginative young woman who breaks free from her isolated childhood to embark on a journey of self-discovery through the streets of Paris. The musical is heavily inspired by the 2001 film of the same name, written by Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Guillaume Laurant.
Audrey Link enchanted as Amélie Poulain, with a bright and expressive vocal performance that perfectly captured the show's playful nature. Link's French accent was consistent and captivating, further taking audience members into the world of Amélie. The actress flawlessly captured Amélie's bubbly personality, whilst honoring the character's sheltered past, creating a performance that was truly touching. Alongside Amélie was the charismatic Nino Quincampoix, portrayed by Alex Valencic. Valencic's strong singing shone brightest during the number “When The Booth Goes Bright”, in which Nino sang about his fascination with discarded photographs he found in local photo booths around Paris. Link and Valencic's chemistry gripped audience members, leaving behind a performance that was as smitten as the City of Love itself.
The Hair and Makeup team, led by Grace MacCracken, Ellie Haile, Kira Paluch, and Eli Weil, designed personalized eye makeup for each character. Amélie was purposefully the only character without a unique design, as the team shared that due to Amélie's vivid imagination, the people surrounding her had to be as quirky as her fantasies. The McLean Prop team, led by Aubrey Astore, Margaret Hughes, Liv Rosenfeld, and Emerson Thiebert, created a whopping 212 props for the musical, including 50 Lite-Brites used to illustrate various plotlines onstage. The team brought to life puppets, paintings, bottles, microphones, signs, newspapers, ribbons, telephones, flyers, and more, enhancing the authenticity of the production greatly with their dedication to detail.
With its eccentric charm and dazzling integrity, McLean High School's interpretation of Amélie is a heartwarming celebration of life's magic, reminding viewers that even the smallest acts of kindness can turn into something extraordinary.