Hannah DeFlumeri Featured In ‘Legally Blonde, the Musical’—

Hometown Actress Will Wrap Up A Year Of Travel In Her Home State

By Nancy K. Crevier

Legally Blonde: the Musical arrives at the Shubert Theater in New Haven, May 13 through May 15 — and so does 2010 Newtown High School graduate Hannah Rose DeFlumeri.

Hannah landed the plum part of Vivian Kensington, main character Elle Woods’ uptight, boyfriend-stealing nemesis, last spring, after casting agents for the National Tour caught her YouTube video from the Newtown High School performance of Gypsy. Hannah played the part of Mama Rose, the tough show biz mother, in that school play.

“I have always posted my stuff on YouTube,” Hannah said on Monday, April 25. “When I put up ‘Rose’s Turn’ — the powerful eleventh hour song that ends the play — I started getting calls from everywhere.”

She waffled ever so slightly, she admitted, when invited to go into New York to try out for the part in Legally Blonde, but encouraged by her friends and family, arrived in the City for her first audition. She was late.

“We missed the train. There were 500 girls waiting there when my mom and I finally got to the casting call, and they said ‘They’re all done with auditions.’” Hannah inquired anyway, and was told that the casting crew was waiting for her “and I was escorted past all of those waiting girls.” She was called back twice, and the third time was the charm.

“I booked the job when they offered it to me,” said Hannah.

It was a bit of a dilemma however, because she had already been accepted into and was ready to begin studies for theater at Ithaca College in the fall.

“It changed all of my plans. My family was set on me going to college, but I had to ask myself  ‘Should I go, or do what I would be going to school to learn to do?’” said Hannah.

She started rehearsals in New York City in August, and was in Chattanooga, Tenn., by the end of September, for previews.

“We opened in Jackson, Mississippi,” said Hannah, of the tour that has taken her coast-to-coast to over 100 cities, as well as extensively through Canada. The final shows in New Haven will bring her total to 250 performances, a far cry from the four to six of any other show Hannah has ever performed in.

The part of Mama Rose in Gypsy was a turning point in her career, said Hannah, who has devoted her summers and much of her school time to performing.

“I studied acting, voice, and even dance under Sabrina Post of Sabrina Encore Productions, here in Newtown, since the summer before my freshman year,” Hannah said. Among the shows she appeared in are Oliver, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Grease and Les Miserables. “I have to say, to this day, Mama Rose is probably my favorite role, ever,” said Hannah. “I talk about it a lot, but I never get tired of it. It was an amazing experience. I got to work with my best friends on stage, and when I talk about it, I get to re-live all we did, and how much we learned,” she said.

For a then 17-year-old young woman to take on the role of a woman nearly four times her age, as Mama Rose, was formidable.

“It was definitely the most challenging role I had done, to get into the depth of that character. But,” she added, “it really solidified for me what I wanted to do: act and sing.”

Staying Anchored

As Vivian Kensington, Hannah once again plays the part of a somewhat older woman. Vivian is in her mid- to late 20s, and a law student.

“I had to throw out all of those high school insecurities we all have. It was hard at first. The composer took me aside at the first rehearsal and told me ‘I know you are younger than the others, but Vivian is a very confident, entitled character.’ Now, when I go out on stage, I am Vivian, I am confident. This role has made me come into my own, I think, and become the person I am today,” said Hannah.

Touring with other professionals has been a learning experience, all around, said Hannah. “All of these people know so much more than me, so far as the technical stuff goes. I had no idea what a ‘dresser’ was, for instance. That’s someone who takes care of all of your costumes for you. This high-end level of production left me awestruck,” she said. She has also learned the importance of taking care of herself.

“You have to keep yourself so in shape to do the role every night. I learned to make good choices for myself, to stay healthy. The most exciting thing is doing the show, and you can’t do that if you don’t eat right and get enough rest,” she said.

What has kept her anchored as she traveled cross-country with a cast of players all older than herself, said Hannah, was her group of friends from Newtown.

“My friends have been extremely supportive. They sent  me birthday gifts, and little presents along the way, I sent them postcards, and social networking sites helped a lot to keep me connected to home. A bunch of my hometown friends have already seen the show. Even though they are at an extremely different point in their lives [being at college] than I am, they have been there for me,” she said.

It was equally important, said Hannah, to keep in touch with her family. Parents Jack and Jackie DeFlumeri and sisters Sarah and Emma supported her and were essential to her success, said Hannah.

When Legally Blonde: the Musical ends its tour May 15, Hannah will return to life out of the spotlight, at home, in Newtown, for the summer.

“I really look forward to this summer. It has been hard not seeing my family. It is going to be weird not living in hotel rooms, but I do look forward to having a closet again and not living out of a suitcase,” she said. “Not doing eight shows a week will probably be a shock to my body,” Hannah laughed.

The cast has become like another family to her, though, so to not see those same people day in and day out will be the strangest part of all, she said. “The end of the show is something we have all been trying not to think about. We’ve done a lot together. To walk away from something that has had such an impact on our lives, well, that last show will be filled with tears,” said Hannah.

She will take a few weeks to sort out her options, said Hannah, who is working with an agent to help her make some decisions for the future.

In the meantime, she is hoping to see familiar Newtown faces in the audience when the curtain rises in the Shubert Theater.

“There are plenty of chances for everyone to see it,” said Hannah.

Hannah Rose DeFlumeri: You have nearly finished a run with a successful touring company. What’s next?

“I would,” said Hannah, “like to go to Disney…”

Legally Blonde: the Musical will be at The Shubert Theater, 247 College Street in New Haven, on Friday, May 13, at 8 pm, Saturday, May 14, at 2 and 8 pm, and Sunday, May 15, at 1 and 6 pm. Tickets are $12 to $72 and can be purchased online at www.shubert.com, by calling 1-800-228-6622, or by visiting the theater’s box office.