'Legally Blonde' to open theatre season Wednesday at River Campus

The trials and tribulations of everybody's favorite sorority queen-turned-Harvard Law student will be revisited when "Legally Blonde: The Musical" kicks off the 2013-2014 River Campus theatre season.

The musical, based on the novel "Legally Blonde" by Amanda Brown and the hit 2001 film that starred Reese Witherspoon in the role of Elle Woods, will be presented by Southeast Missouri State University's Department of Theatre and Dance at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Bedell Performance Hall on the River Campus.

Dr. Kenn Stilson, director of the musical, said audiences are going to be in for a wonderful show.

"The basic story is close to the movie," Stilson said. "But I think the musical is stronger than the movie. The song and dance that comes out in the musical version adds even more appeal."

Stilson, who has directed past Theatre and Dance productions including "Grease," "Guys And Dolls" and "Little Shop of Horrors," said "Legally Blonde: The Musical" has become one of his favorites.

"It's really different from other musicals in that it's so athletic and visual," he said. "There's an energy there that really sets it apart from others. But, like 'Grease,' the characters are so identifiable. You fall in love with them because you know them."

Nominated for seven Tony Awards during its Broadway run in 2007, "Legally Blonde: The Musical" tells the story of Elle Woods, an extra-perky UCLA sorority girl who manages to enroll at Harvard Law School in an attempt to win back her ex-boyfriend, Warner Huntington III. Elle's snobby classmates disapprove of her personality and attire, and the only person willing to help her is a teaching assistant, Emmett Forrest. But the "dumb blonde" stereotype of Elle begins to fade when she discovers how her knowledge of the law can help others, and she successfully defends an exercise queen in a murder trial. At the end of law school, Elle ends up being the valedictorian of her class.

Stilson said the effort made by the student performers to make "Legally Blonde: The Musical" a first-rate performance was remarkable.

"The students started rehearsals a week before school started," he said. "They've been putting in around eight rehearsals a week since school started. I'm always amazed at the level of discipline and talent they have."

The songs performed in "Legally Blonde: The Musical" are eclectic, according to music director Joe Mason.

Molly Dowd as Elle Woods carries her purse dog, a chihuahua named Bruiser, in a scene from "Legally Blond: The Musical" Sunday, Sept. 29, 2013 in Bedell Performance Hall at the River Campus. (Fred Lynch)

"What's great is that the numbers are really different," Mason said. "They also contain so many different emotions. The first song, 'Omigod You Guys,' starts the show with a feeling of excitement. But it's not all pop songs; there's disco, urban funk and even some calypso. The only ballad, 'Legally Blonde,' comes during the second act."

Mason said he has worked with the production's vocalists to ensure they have the stamina to last the entire performance.

"There's 27 songs in the score," he said. "For a lot of our vocalists, that's going to demand a lot of strength."

Molly Dowd, a senior Fine Arts major at Southeast, landed the Woods role and will sing in 25 musical numbers.

"The rehearsals have been the most important thing," Dowd said. "It's been a lot of work, but I'm excited."

Dowd said her portrayal of Elle Woods will differ slightly from Reese Witherspoon's portrayal in the movie "Legally Blonde."

"My character will be a little more quirky and silly," she said. "Reese was more sweet and silly."

Reese Witherspoon is a co-producer of 20th Century Fox's feature film "Gone Girl," which is partly being filmed in Cape Girardeau. There have been sightings of director David Fincher and actors Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike and Neil Patrick Harris around town, and Witherspoon was reportedly seen exercising at the Osage Centre. The possibility that Witherspoon could attend a performance to view the character she made famous is something not lost on Dowd.

"We've extended an offer for anyone involved in 'Gone Girl' to come see the show," she said. "If Reese is out there for one of the performances, it will definitely be an incentive for me to do my best."

Tickets for "Legally Blonde: The Musical" are on sale for $17 and $20 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the River Campus box office at 518 S. Fountain St. Tickets can also be purchased by calling 651-2265 or visiting rivercampusevents.com.

Ellen Farrow, River Campus box office manager, said ticket sales have been increasing steadily.

"Because of a production like this, I encourage people to get tickets now instead of later," Farrow said. "It's possible that we may have sold-out performances."

klewis@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent address:

518 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, Mo