by Greta Yeoman
Scene-stealing dogs, catchy tunes and plenty of pink will greet audiences at the upcoming production of Legally Blonde the Musical
The South Canterbury Drama League production, to be performed at the League’s Playhouse Theatre base, will run from July 4-20.
Based on the popular film of the same name, the Broadway musical will star Abigail Austin as Elle Woods, who finds her life turned upside down when she is dumped by her boyfriend Warner (played by Caleb Cameron).
While Elle is known to be a famously perky and fashion-savvy UCLA girl, she follows Warner to Harvard Law, in an effort to prove she is more than just some blonde sorority girl.
While she initially struggles to fit in and do well, she ultimately defies expectations and manages to stay true to her delightfully pink personality – complete with dogs in tow.
Canine star Butters plays Bruiser Woods and Axl Rose plays Rufus in the stage production.
Other roles include Marque Duckmanton as Professor Callahan, Katrina Mehrtens as Elle’s client-on-trial-for-murder Brooke Wyndham and Elle’s best friends Serena (played by Stevie Gallagher), Margot (Charlotte Howe) and Pilar (Jessica Diamond).
Timaru newcomer Cameron Lines takes up the role of Elle’s new friend Emmett Forrest, while Rebecca Jackson plays Paulette and Lily Shields performs the role of Vivienne Kensington.
Legally Blonde the Musical is directed Alice Sollis, with musical direction by Ella Thomas and choreography by Abigail Austin.
Production manager Mark Lowen said it was the first time SCDL had produced such a large show at the Playhouse.
“While there are challenges, audiences can expect the same top-quality produced show as if they were in Timaru’s Theatre Royal.”
He said in the Playhouse “every seat . . . is a fantastic seat”.
- Tickets are available from iticket.co.nz, or Newmans MusicWorks or the Timaru i-Site on George St.
