On Saturday, October 25th, I attended the final showing of Emma! A Pop Musical, the first fall production hosted on the Four Corners Upper School (FCUS) campus since 2022. From the opening chords of Chapel of Love by the Dixie Cups, it was clear the cast was ready to transform the FCUS cafeteria into the bustling hallways of Highbury Prep.
Emma! A Pop Musical is a modern reimagining of Jane Austen’s classic novel Emma. The show follows Emma Woodhouse, played by junior Tanira Miranda, a confident senior at Highbury Prep who calls herself a “matchmaker.” As she meddles in the love lives of her classmates, especially her best friend Harriet Smith, played by senior Amada Blanco, Emma’s plans begin to unravel, forcing her to realize that she might need a little matchmaking herself. Filled with upbeat pop hits by female artists and girl groups, the story becomes a high-energy reflection on self-awareness.
While the story itself is engaging, it was the cast’s performances that made the production shine. Lead actress Tanira Miranda delivered several memorable moments, particularly during her breakthrough solo performance of Katy Perry’s “Roar.” Her rendition of the song was definitely one that won’t be forgotten. Miranda is no stranger to the spotlight however, this was Tanira’s 5th musical with the drama club, and her first official leading role.
Sharing the spotlight with Miranda were others like Amanda Blanco who gave a sassy performance as the best friend Harriet, Jordin Navedo as rockstar Frankie Churchill, and Kristopher Lacombe as the teacher/senior student Jeff Knightley. Both Navedo and Lacombe brought strong energy and personality to their roles. Navedo captured the over-the-top confidence of a rock star, from his commanding stage presence to his lively rendition of Pat Benatar’s “Heartbreaker.” Still, it was Lacombe who gave perhaps the most emotional performance of the night. His sincerity and expressive acting made his character easy to root for from start to finish.
However, when it came to acting, one student stood out above the rest. With less stage time than most, Isabella Young, who played Principal Miss Bates, completely stole the show. Every big laugh seemed to happen when she was on stage. From Youngs exaggerated fake crying in Act One to her spot-on comedic timing in the finale. Her performance was one that stole the show. Every time she was on stage, she was who you looked at.
Now, while Young stole the show with her acting, others made their mark with their singing. Senior Mei Bates, who portrayed Jane Fairfax, gave an especially strong singing performance. Thanks to Bates, her duet “Bad Bad Crush” with Harriet was easily one of the night’s most memorable numbers, showcasing the power in her voice. Other stand out singers included Dylin Crane who was part of the Welcoming Committee Singers and Daliana Perry who played Ashley. Not only did Perry stand out because of her singing, but it was her rapping during the song Turn the Beat Around by Vicki Sue Robinson that put a spotlight on her talents.
Despite the cast’s strengths, several technical issues distracted from the performance. During Director and Choreographer Julie Gardieff’s opening remarks, one of the prop hallway walls nearly toppled over, leaving her to stall and leaving the audience in shock. There were also problems with the microphones, making it difficult to hear or understand what was being said at times. This was especially true when it came to Blancos’ character and what she was saying for most of the musical, diminishing her performance.
What the production lacked in technical polish, however, it made up for with costuming. The wardrobe leaned heavily into a pink and preppy aesthetic, perfectly capturing the spirit of the musical. Harriet’s pink cardigan covered in bows was so stylish I would add it to my wardrobe right now. Beyond being fashionable, the color choices were thoughtful. Pink was not just a choice Gardieff made because she thought it was cute; everyone wearing pink made it easy to separate the Highbury students from the other characters like Jane. Jane was dark and somber, and her clothing represented that well. Her full black outfit, including her leather jacket, among the sea of pink, made her memorable.
Despite its technical hiccups, Emma! A Pop Musical was one of the most entertaining productions FCUS has staged in recent years. The enthusiasm and talent of the cast, especially Isabella Young’s unforgettable performance, made it a night to remember.
The Drama Club will return this spring with Seussical the Musical, make sure to see it!
