Review: CRUEL INTENTIONS: THE '90S MUSICAL at Kokandy Productions
Kokandy's regional premiere of this nostalgic, campy '90s musical romp runs through August 7, 2022
Rachel Weinberg, Broadway World 6/20/22

Kokandy Productions' staging of CRUEL INTENTIONS: THE '90S MUSICAL is a fun romp filled with '90s nostalgia and some banging vocals from director Adrian Abel Azevedo's ensemble. Created by Jordan Ross, Lindsey Rosin, and Roger Kumble and based on Kumble's 1999 film of the same name, CRUEL INTENTIONS understands its assignment well to deliver camp, fun, and '90s hits. While I found the original film quite absurd with its seductive and slightly sadistic tale of lascivious stepsiblings Kathryn and Sebastian and their antics, the musical owns the ridiculousness, and in the end, makes for a clever adaptation that improves upon its source material. Certain elements of the film have not aged well, but the tongue-in-cheek nature of the musical compensates for that.

Peppering the musical with songs from the likes of Britney Spears, No Doubt, NSYNC, Jewel, and more is also a brilliant move. The nostalgia of the music matches the nostalgia for the film's totally '90s vibe. This is likewise reflected in the production elements. Mara Ishihara Zinky's set captures the allure of the Manhattan rich kids' playground and gives the ensemble ample room to deliver on Laura Savage's simple but effective choreography. Uriel Gomez's costume designs strike the balance between prep school and then outfits certainly not suitable for school at all; the costumes for each of the main characters reflect their personalities to a T. G "Max" Maxin IV's lighting design and MIke Patrick's sound design also give the production some well-suited pop rock concert vibes. The show cues up each of its '90s bangers nicely.

CRUEL INTENTIONS is a musical designed to entertain, but it takes the right actors to really own the plot in all its ridiculous-and you need singers who can really belt their faces off. Luckily, this ensemble is up to the task. As queen bee Kathryn Merteuil, Maddison Denault has an in-your-face powerful belt that seems effortless; Denault's powerful vocals mirror the character's confident exterior (though as we learn throughout the show, Kathryn has carefully cultivated that facade, and those typical teenage insecurities lurk underneath). Denault struts across the stage and easily flits from power number to power number, particularly nailing her 11 o'clock number "Kathryn's Turn." As her stepbrother Sebastian Valmont, David Moreland is equally sly, and his vocals are a welcome mix of slick and powerful. He translates the character's sliminess into the vocals, but he also has enough power to really lean into the songs.

As the naive and hopeful Cecil Caldwell, Anabella Oddo just might be the standout of the entire production. Oddo is a terrific actor with her incredibly elastic facial expressions and the way she plays Cecile's incredulity at every turn. She combines those notes of innocence though with really strong vocals. Kelcy Taylor brings the right mix of sweet and clever to newcomer Annette Hargove, who Sebastian vows to seduce in a bet against Kathryn. While Taylor's naturally lighter tone had me wishing for a little more power on some of her songs, she develops her character's arc beautifully and lets the emotion in her vocals reflect that shift as Annette comes into her own. I give kudos to understudy Justin Grey McPike in the role of Blaine Tuttle, who's involved in an illicit relationship with Greog McConnell (Jimmy Romano, hilariously embodying the stereotypical "dumb jock.") McPike was clearly rehearsing right up to the moment the performance on Saturday, June 18 began, and he nailed it (though I think the volume on his mic pack needed to be brought up to match the sound mixing with the band). Lucas Looch Johnson amuses as Cecile's cello instructor Ronald, who goes toe-to-toe with Cecile's uptight mother Bunny Caldwell (deliciously played by Elizabeh Lesinski). At the performance I saw, Niki-Charisse Franco, Jaxon Smith, TJ Tapp, and Kolby Cardwell rounded out the ensemble, providing fun backing vocals and upbeat dance moves from Savage's choreography.

If you're ready to jam out to classic '90s hits, enjoy a ridiculous romp of a story, and take in a musical that's just plain fun, Kokandy Productions' CRUEL INTENTIONS: THE '90S MUSICAL brings it - "

Highly recommended - Kokandy Productions "Cruel Intentions: a 90s Musical" - A Night of Fun and Nostalgia - Lauren Katz, PictureThisPost.com 6/21/22

Cecile (Anabella Oddo) is absolutely distraught. She visits her friend Kathryn (Maddison Denault), hoping for some clarity in her new situation. Cecile spent the previous evening with Sebastian, and is not quite clear on what happened. As she unloads the details from the evening, Kathryn sighs and calmly says:

"Cecile, you had an orgasm."

Cecile stops. She turns her head to the audience, and immediately belts: "I saw the sign, and it opened up my eyes. I saw the sign."

Kathryn simply rolls her eyes, quietly evaluating why she is forced to put up with this friendship. Cecile turns back to Kathryn for further clarification, but the snippet of the popular Ace of Base song was enough to send the audience into an uproar of laughter and cheers.
Whether or not you are familiar with the storyline, you are likely to feel the nostalgia hit from the score of throwbacks - much like this Opening Night audience.

Based on the 1999 film, Cruel Intentions follows Kathryn (Denault) and Sebastian (David Moreland) -wealthy step siblings that rule the elite Manchester Prep. The bored teens place a bet on Sebastian's ability to seduce Annette (Kelcy Taylor) - the new Headmaster's Daughter. If Sebastian fails, Kathryn wins his car. But if he succeeds, Sebastian wins the one thing he has wanted for years: Kathryn. Much as to be expected, the chaos of deception and romance grows out of control, and the audience has a front row seat to watching the students try to make sense of whatever they can.

Directed by Adrian Abel Azevedo, Cruel Intentions is a 90's jukebox musical, and features famous songs including Just a Girl, Lovefool, Bye Bye Bye, Breakfast at Tiffany's, and Torn. The production is full of camp and fun, and if you are anything like this Opening Night audience, you might just find yourself dancing along in your seat as the talented cast belts out the popular favorites.

This story about rumor and deceptionproceeds as Kathryn and Sebastian tear apart their peers' reputations and spread rumors. We see cast members play out these stories in shadowed silhouettes behind red screens.. In this writer's opinion, Azevedo's stunning use of silhouettesheightens the air of mystery around the production, and alongside the characters, invites the audience to further question who might be telling the truth.

Hysterical Fun
The high school students become lost in their romantic drama. Meanwhile, you too might just find yourself laughing so hard that you forget the horrors unfolding.
Full of campy fun and standout vocalists, Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical makes for a night to remember.

Preps Rally: A Review of Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musical at Kokandy Productions - Amanda Fin, NewCity Chicago 6/21/22 -

The thing about jukebox musicals is that I generally hate them. Hate like Alicia Silverstone hated playing Cher Horowitz (look it up). Why? Because they're usually trite. The music doesn't move the story along, the character development is bogus and generally, they're just money grabs. But if you remember Kokandy Productions' "Head Over Heels" in 2019 (and my review of it), you'll know that their jukebox shows are a whole different breed. Maybe we need to have a new category of these shows called boombox musicals since they're far from their jukebox counterparts.
For fellow nineties nostalgia seekers, "Cruel Intentions" is one of those quintessential teen drama romps. It's utterly ridiculous, and cringy while still being no less iconic. Suffice it to say the musical version is all that and a bag of chips. So chock-full of nineties music you will be compelled to sing along (but seriously, please don't-leave it to the performers) to TLC, Britney, No Doubt and all the other music that comprised my childhood.
Seeing Sebastian Valmont (David Moreland) and Kathryn Merteuil (Maddison Denault) plot their devious bet against their weaker classmates at Manchester Prep is deviously delicious. When that havoc is met with accompaniments like "Genie in a /Bottle" or "Only Happy When It Rains" you can't help but jam along. When the innocent Annette Hardgrove (Kelcy Taylor) and Cecile Caldwell (Anabella Oddo) are pulled into the fray, the plot thickens.

Many of the cast members of "Cruel Intentions" are names you might not recognize. Under director Adrian Abel Azevedo and musical director Isabella Isherwood, these performers shine brighter than neon jelly sandals. Josh Pablo Szabo (as Blaine Tuttle) singing "Bye Bye Bye" or Denault absolutely throwing down with "I'm the Only One?" You will lose your mind. Don't even get me started on Moreland crooning "Iris." When Kokandy casts a musical, they never mess around. Time after time, this company finds some of the best voices Chicagoland has to offer and "Cruel Intentions" is further proof.

The only thing cruel about "Cruel Intentions" is the sound leveling. Particularly in the first several songs, the cast is overwhelmed by the music. In a space like the basement of The Chopin Theatre, one wonders if these powerhouse performers really need to be miked or if there can be a better setup for the music and singers. From feedback to sound overwhelm, there has to be a better solution. Kokandy's cast is beyond capable of filling the house.

A huge shoutout to intimacy director Kirsten Baity and choreographer Laura Savage. Their work on this show brings it to its hormone-hyped sexiness. As our sex ed teachers always said, we need protection. For a show like this, the careful direction is key. Always forever grateful to choreographers and intimacy directors for helping actors stay safe and sexy. Because "Cruel Intentions," if nothing else, is the sexiest thing you'll see in Chicago this summer.

Shameless nostalgia
Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musical tickles the millennial naughty bone. - Marissa Oberlander, Chicago Reader 6/24/22 -

We all remember where we were when we saw Cruel Intentions. Its iconic soundtrack (anyone else melt to Counting Crows' "Colorblind"?) and "shameless perversity" (thank you, Buzzfeed, for this spot-on description) have become canon in many a millennial's coming of age and sexual maturity. Directed by Adrian Abel Azevedo, Kokandy Productions's Chicago storefront premiere of the 1999 movie's jukebox musical adaptation is an incredibly fun nostalgia trip that still feels at turns shocking, twisted, and touching in all the right, confusing ways. You love to hate every character, especially Kathryn (Maddison Denault) and Sebastian (David Moreland), whose stepsibling sexual tension and moral bankruptcy wreak havoc on all in their wake. The plot, based on the 1782 French novel Les Liaisons dangereuses by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos: an X-rated bet that Sebastian bed the new headmaster's daughter before the school year begins.

That the story is told with limited dialogue and mainly lyrics of your favorite 90s songs is a pleasing foil to its chaotic pacing and some problematic/dated plot points (some suspension of disbelief required here). Scenes with the film's classics "Colorblind" and "Bitter Sweet Symphony" do not disappoint, with choreographer Laura Savage making the relatively small space feel layered and alive with energy. The entire cast impresses with their vocal performances, delivery of compelling camp, and ability to create an intimacy that verges just close enough to voyeuristic. Anabella Oddo stands out as Cecile (Selma Blair in the movie), using her vocal chops and charming physical comedy to give the "annoying" character depth, growth, and surprising power.