Southwestern College will present Heather Hach’s “Legally Blonde: The Musical” on Friday, April 8, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, April 9, at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, April 10, at 2 p.m.  All performances will be in the Richardson Performing Arts Center in the Christy Administration Building on the campus of Southwestern College.

The show is directed by Allyson Moon, director of theatre at Southwestern. Admission is $5 for students, $10 for adults.

The play is musical comedy full of dancing, colorful sets and costumes, jokes, and sentiment, participants say. The story follows Elle Woods as she takes on Harvard in spite of the difficulty and stereotypes that await her.

Brian Winnie, director of choral activities and voice at Southwestern, has been a major contributor to the show.

“I hope that the vocals can help propel the story and characters throughout the show,” Winnie says. “Even more so, I hope the audience can hear the continued vocal development and growth in the musical theatre program and the cast members. This show represents the ‘new normal’ in musical theatre featuring extreme belt ranges and vocal stamina.” 

Britany Morgan, technical director and costume designer, is responsible for the look of the show.

“My goal is to make every character unique and memorable. Whether they are onstage for a few seconds or a few scenes, I want everyone in the show have their own personal look for their characters,” Morgan says.

And Morgan is working behind the scenes as well as on the stage.

“The biggest challenge I face is really balancing my schedule,” she explains. “Since I'm involved in multiple elements of the show it gets a bit tricky. As a technical director, I mentor and guide the designers in their process; as a costume designer, I make everything look flawless and ready for the performance; as a performer, I embody my character and ready myself for opening night.”

Scenic designer John Rohr also has put tremendous effort into a project. “Legally Blonde is a special musical to me. It is very powerful and has a lot of potential to speak truthful, meaningful messages to its audiences,” he says. “In the design, I was really searching for that ‘truth’ or ‘veritas,’ which is written on the Harvard flag.”

Rohr worked hard to find a way to keeping the set open, yet new and engaging, and showing the multiple locations the audience goes with Elle Woods.

“So much of the show is influenced by knowledge and education, so the institutions we find ourselves at with Elle play a big role in the action and feel. It has been a monster of a show to undertake, but so very rewarding,” he adds.

In spite of the hard work, everyone is enthusiastic about what audiences have in store for them. Morgan explains that this show “is about what anyone can do if they don't limit themselves. People should walk away feeling that nothing is impossible. I know it sounds cliché, but it's an important message to hear and I hope our audience does feel that way when they see the show.”

Winnie believes that the show “really encapsulates the notion of breaking down stereotypes, and being true to oneself. In the face of judgment we can lose ourselves, which slowly breaks down our self-confidence and self-worth. This story showcases that when we are truly authentic and vulnerable, we celebrate our uniqueness and fuel our passion.”