The blonde, bubbly and smarter-than-you-think Elle Woods made a huge impact on the silver screen, so it makes sense to bring her feminist thoughts and high dollar charm to the stage. And, that’s what is happening with Legally Blonde The Musical.
Performed at the Love Jennison Family Theatre in Endeavour Hall on St. Catherine’s campus, the fun-loving show is a collaboration between the Brilliant Summer Program at St. Catherine’s, Arts to All, and West End Academy of Dance.
“We started this collaboration last summer and pitched it to St. Catherine’s with West End Academy of Dance as a partner,” says Brendan Kennedy, chief creative officer of Arts to All, which offers arts to schools, and director of the upcoming production.
Last year’s show, Crazy For You, was successfully received, so everyone decided “let’s grow this,” Kennedy says.
In a world that often produces action movies, thrillers, and male-driven themes, Legally Blonde The Musical is a show that promotes female empowerment in a funny, glorious way.
“We’re giving them a show that they already have had some sort of attachment to. We wanted to pick a title that resonates with the population we are serving,” Kennedy says. “Plus, we are always trying to pick a musical with a dance driven aspect.”
Casting the Show
Kennedy cast a wide net when he began open auditions for the show, and he saw performers from “all over Richmond,” he says.
The cast includes 14 high school students, five adults, and 10 college students.
“All of our college students are either studying some sort of fine art or working to take their art to the next step,” he says, noting it’s helpful to have students who are “already focused on growing and perfecting their craft. “We want to give them the opportunity to see how this works in an elevated professional environment.”
Emma McClain, a rising junior pursuing her BFA in Musical Theater at Boston Conservatory at Berklee, will play Elle Woods. She has previously been involved in local Richmond productions at Cadence Theatre. She was last seen as Alice in New Ground Theater Company’s premiere production of Paralleled:The Musical last fall.
Mason Patrick, one of the adult performers, plays the role of Professor Callahan, a law professor. “It’s kind of an antagonist role,” Patrick says.
He is thrilled to be working with Kennedy and Heidi Taylor, musical director, on the show. “It’s a full circle moment,” he says. “I did SPARC with Brendan when I was in high school, and I did Tarzan with SPARC and worked with Heidi.”
A Fun Family Outing
Patrick is also excited about the show’s partnership with the restaurant Bar West, located next door to the St. Catherine’s campus, to offer a Legally Blonde-themed specialty menu during the run of the show.
“As a kid and to this day, I remember being so excited for dinner and a show at a local spot,” he says.
Kennedy hopes that anyone coming to the show will have fun and “root for Elle Woods,” he says. “We want to energize and wow the audience.” Legally Blonde The Musical runs July 31 to August 2. Tickets for the musical are available at https://www.st.catherines.org/arts/box-office.
