Photo: Students perform at a dress rehearsal for “Legally Blonde” on Sept. 26 in the Kirkpatrick Auditorium in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center. “Legally Blonde” opens Sept. 28 and runs through Sept. 30. (Jason Stewart/The Campus)
By Kyle Wallace, StaffWriter
The Wanda L. Bass School of Music is kicking off its production season this year with Legally Blonde, a musical adaption of the popular movie starring Reese Witherspoon. The show will be in the Kirkpatrick Auditorium at 8 p.m. Sept. 28-29, with a 3 p.m. matinee Sept. 30
Officials chose to put on Legally Blonde due to its popularity as a Broadway show, said Dr. David Herendeen, director of opera and musical theater and interim director of the school of theater.
It’s valuable as a teaching tool for the students involved, whom he hopes to prepare for careers in professional theater, he said.
The show tells the story of “Elle Woods,” a sorority girl who is seen as a blonde airhead by her colleagues. Elle transfers from a California university to Harvard in an attempt to win back her ex-boyfriend Warner, a boy who left Elle in favor of another girl as he prepares to enter his family’s business in public service.
The show is double cast to give more students stage time and to have understudies in case they’re needed, Herendeen said.
“Elle” is portrayed by Olivia Cope, music theater senior, in the Saturday performance and Hayley Gribble, music theater junior, during the Friday and Sunday performances. Kyle Lacy, music theater senior, will star as “Warner,” (Sat.) as well as Jake Roan, music theater junior (Fri./Sun.).
Students from various majors are represented in this production, Herendeen said. He also said he encourages non-performance majors to audition.
Tickets are on sale from $12-$25. They may be purchased by calling the ticket office at (405) 208-5227 or directly from the box office on the night of the show.
