Beloit Memorial High School Theatre Presentation
Based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture
Book by Heather Hach
Music and Lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Neil Benjamin
Rehearsals are well underway for Beloit Memorial’s spring production – Legally Blonde, the Musical! And, if practice makes perfect, as it always does on the BMHS stage under Director Greg Wallendal, audiences should be prepared for great theatre when the show opens March 11 th.
Based on a novel that inspired a movie by the same name, the musical, Legally Blonde, was applauded from the time it opened on Broadway in 2007 to tell the story of a California beauty who goes to Harvard Law School.
Performance Selection
“I chose this production because I feel it has a great message of empowerment for women and, for that, I feel it is a story that needs to be told,” says Wallendal.
“The main character, Elle Woods, has to fight sexism and stereotypes about her gender, but she even has to fight against reconceptions about lifestyle from other women in the story. She overcomes tremendous odds through her hard work and drive, but we are also reminded that she cannot do this alone.”
Of Woods, Wallendal adds, “She is supported by her friend at the salon to follow her dream despite adversity. She is supported by her mentor, Emmett, who says that it is not always a bad thing to have a chip on your shoulder– sometimes it is the only thing that helps you break through the glass ceiling– whether it is a economic glass ceiling or some other form of oppression– it is the hard work that pays off in the end.”
Continuing Wallendal says, “The music is poppy and catchy and the show is full of fun at the same time, so it is both enjoyable and uplifting. The show is very popular among our students and they’re as excited to perform it as the student body is excited to see the production.
An Ambitious Production
“The show is also a huge challenge. There are an absolute ton of scene changes and nearly instant costume changes like we’ve never had to do before. The show is really a huge budget show and we’re faced with producing it on a very small budget. We have to overcome a lot of technical challenges in order to make the show successful.
Further, Wallendal says, “Another challenge is having to work with animals. There are two dogs in the show, which will increase the cute factor and also the difficulty. There’s an old saying in theatre: ‘never work with children or animals. …We’ve had to struggle to find dogs that will work with our production.
“Lastly, the music is written in some strange keys and has proven to be extremely challenging for our orchestra pit, which is typically performed by students. Even our most skilled musicians have struggled with the music. Some of the onstage performers have also struggled with the music, as it involves a lot of belting and some notes that are held for an extremely long time.
“It was difficult to cast and even those we found to play the lead roles are still challenged with the parts they were given. But they will overcome the challenges, no doubt, but it is not an easy task.”
Practice will make perfect, no doubt, according to BMHS Theatre Department precedent!
[See image gallery at beloitschools.org]
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The Beloit Memorial Spring Musical appeared first on School District of Beloit News.