BSC musical ‘Legally Blonde’ opens April 6
Published: Mar 22 2016
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Bismarck State College Theatre Arts program offers a show in the tradition of the musical spectacular April 6-10 with “Legally Blonde: The Musical.”
Based on the novel and movie of the same name, the action-packed show is the perfectly pink story of Elle, her transformation at Harvard Law, and what happens when she stays true to herself.
Performances are 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday in Sidney J. Lee Auditorium, Schafer Hall.
The UCLA Delta Nu sorority star doesn’t take “no” for an answer. So, when boyfriend Warner opts for a “more serious” Harvard classmate, fashionista Elle puts down her credit card, hits the books, and moves to Boston after qualifying for Harvard Law School. Once there, she struggles to fit in but soon discovers the true power of being legally blonde.
BSC Theatre Arts Director Danny Devlin said he wanted to do a big, fun, splashy musical for his second show at BSC and to engage as many young artists as possible, as well as a broad audience. The pop score impressed him as well-written, smart and sharp when he saw the show in 2007. He has wanted to produce it ever since.
Preparation has been time consuming and musically demanding for his dedicated 25-member cast, who have gone beyond the regular rehearsal schedule to perfect numbers on their own.
“This has been a great musical experience for students to sing their parts in support of a bold, over-the-top spectacular,” Devlin said.
The cast includes current students and BSC graduates, students from University of Mary and Legacy and Century high schools, and local community actors. In major roles are Meghan McNeil (Bismarck) as Elle Woods, Adam Michal (Mandan) as Emmet, Shaina Hovrud (Mandan) as beautician Paulette, Brandon Wetch (Bismarck) as Warner, Elle’s sorority sisters - Taylor Ekart (Bismarck) as Serena, Laura Schaff (Bismarck) as Pilar, and Kaitlyn Gellerman (St. Paul, Minn.) as Margot, Rob Sandness (Bismarck) as Harvard professor Callahan, Alexis Larson (Carrington) as defendant Brooke Wyndham, and Brittany Smith (Gladstone) as Warner’s girlfriend, Vivienne.
Other cast members – From Bismarck: Jonah Eslinger, Richard Christopher Hagen, Rick Hentz, Heather Kaiser, Paige Kihle, Gentry Lee, Sara Simenson and Joshua Upgren. From Mandan: Robert Day, Tanner Hostetter and Taylor Jung, as well as Alicia Billock (Mott), Lawrence C. Luger (Fort Yates), and Garrett Compton (Billings, Mont.).
Devlin is assisted by technical director/designer Dean Bellin of the Theatre Arts faculty, music director John Darling, vocal director Andrew Miller, and guest choreographer Hollis Mackintosh Heid, director of Northern Plains Dance in Bismarck. Production assistants are BSC students Elley Cannard (Mandan), stage manager, Carly Willoughby (Bismarck), assistant stage manager, and Aeryn Mehlhoff, dance captain.
Admission is $12 adults ($5 with BSC I.D.). Call 224-5677 (Campus Information Center, Student Union) for reserved seat tickets, or 224-5511 on performance days only. Tickets are also available at the door.
The Broadway production opened in 2007 and received seven Tony Award nominations and 10 Drama Desk Award nominations, including best musical and outstanding book, choreography and music.
About Bismarck State College
Bismarck State College, an innovative community college in Bismarck, N.D., offers high quality education, workforce training, and enrichment programs reaching local and global communities.