ERMA — Drama students are set to perform their production of “Legally Blonde: The Musical” this week in the Paul Schmidtchen Theater at Lower Cape May Regional High School.
Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. March 5-6 and 2 and 7 p.m. March 7. Tickets are $15 general admission and $12 for students, cash only at the door.
“Legally Blonde: The Musical” is an adaptation based on the novel “Legally Blonde” by Amanda Brown and the 2001 film of the same name. It follows the journey of Elle Woods from marketing major at UCLA to law student at Harvard University as she defies stereotypes, navigates scandal and pursues her dreams.
It includes memorable songs, dynamic dances and a heartwarming story. Although fun for all ages, the show has some mild bad language and mildly suggestive themes.
Kylie Saltzman stars as Woods and Anthony Cozza as love interest Emmett Forrest, one of the few men who treat her with respect.
Director Jen Sessa, an English and acting teacher at the high school, said students started working on the production just after winter break.
Two snowstorms cost the group a couple of rehearsals, but Sessa said they found ways to make up for them, such as rehearsing Sunday afternoon.
She and dance choreographer Kelly Kennedy have worked together on 20 productions and vocal director Sandra Beane-Fox is a veteran of twice that many performances.
They chose “Legally Blonde” because of its large cast of girls, including members of the sorority Woods was in at UCLA.
“We needed a female-heavy show to feature our upperclassmen,” Sessa said, noting that Saltzman, Holly O’Neill and Nathan Chase are all seniors.
The musicals are popular with the community, as evidenced by the more than 500 tickets sold for each show.
Kennedy said the performance includes 27 songs, about 10 more than most productions.
“This a huge singing and dancing production,” she said, noting modern musicals “pump the shows full of more songs to keep the action moving,” while older ones have more dialogue in between.
Sessa said the students, consisting of 42 cast members, 10 stage crew and another eight to 10 student musicians in the pit, are excited for opening night.
“I think they’re feeling ready,” she said, noting some doubt themselves as the production nears.
“I want the kids to get out there and have a good time. It’s a tough show. Sometimes they think they can’t do it, but they always pull it off,” she said.
Cast
Elle Woods — Kylie Saltzman (understudy Clara Kennedy), Emmett Forrest — Anthony Cozza, Warner Huntington III — Nathan Chase, Paulette Buonufonte — Holly O’Neill (Addy Harvey), Professor Callahan — Johnny Montgomery, Vivienne Kensington — Corinna La Puma, (Cecilia Iannucci), Brooke Wyndam — Brianna Petela/Adrina Kennedy, Margot — Clara Kennedy (Rosa La Puma), Serena — Bella Turano (Kendall Larkin), Pilar — Nahjaye Wright, (Maeve Wilson), Kate — Scarlett Rue, Grandmaster Chad — Cooper Gleason, Enid Hoopes — Lizbeth Serrano (Addy Harvey), Aaron Shultz — Brian Johnson, Cezar Tepesh — Matty Caballero, Dewey — Christian Newsome, Mr. Woods — Liam McKeown, Mrs. Woods — Amelia Morgan, Kyle — Max Bracken, Carlos — Nevonte Davis, Chutney — Olivia Belles, Delta Nus — Emily Coombs, Adrina Kennedy, Rosa La Puma, Kendall Larkin, Mia Mogavero, Ella Osmundson, Brianna Petela, Savanah Roberts, Jaelynn St. Onge, Maeve Wilson. Ensemble — Rylie Ackroyd, Saige Armbruster, Olivia Belles, Matty Caballero, Ruby Caldwell, Nevonte Davis, Bekah Dodd, Jemma Eppenbach, Cooper Gleason, Addy Harvey, Cecilia Iannucci, Brian Johnson, Niko McCleary, Liam McKeown, Amelia Morgan, Christian Newsome, Sophia Nicoletta, Lily Olexa, Riley Salerno, Kailyn Tait.
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Cape May Star and Wave
