Can a beautiful blonde college undergraduate cheerleader work her way into the Harvard Law School, and then take on the top legal experts and win?
Sure she can, according to the musical show ''Legally Blonde," which will be performed at Jamestown Community College's Robert L. Scharmann Theater, opening Friday, Nov. 2 and running for three consecutive weekends.
The show is based on the popular 2001 film by the same name, which starred Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods, the young woman who learns how to succeed in a very different way from her life at the beginning.
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Hillary Belin plays Elle Woods in ‘‘Legally Blonde,” which will be performed at JCC.
We spoke with the director of the JCC production as he was in the frenzy which always occurs about two weeks before opening night of a large project such as this show. Robert Schlick reported that when the two-week mark arrives, cast members begin to get very serious about learning lines and practicing dance moves, and all the things which cast members must do to have a quality performance.
''We're just putting up the sets and getting the light and sound crews working,'' he told us. ''So far, we haven't encountered any major obstacles which will require major remedies, but we all know that such things are possible.''
Why did the Uncommoners, the JCC organization which performs two theatrical productions per year, decide on ''Legally Blonde?''
He answered, ''This is a very entertaining show, which has a lot of music in it which especially appeals to the students. People - especially those who haven't seen the show before or haven't seen the film it's based upon - tend to think that it is a silly teen comedy show. In fact, while there is a lot of comedy, it's a show about a young woman who learns to work hard and to reach out for more from life than many people her age are settling for. It has a good message, presented in an enjoyable way.''
Schlick reports that he held auditions for places in the cast in early June. Based on those auditions, he was comfortable that he would be able to cast all the parts. All throughout the summer, he had choreographer Daman Holland work with volunteers from the cast, who came in and learned and rehearsed the many dances in the show. ''By the time classes resumed for the fall, we not only had a good idea of who could do the work, but we also had a good idea who would put in the time and the effort, as well.''
Appearing in the cast will be Crin Fredrickson, Jennie Cross, Caitlin Cusimano, Destiny Gates, Caitlin Clark, Amanda Campbell, Breontai Gates, Bethany Chapman, Jenna Osborne, Amanda Wickmark, Mike Giambelluca, Hillary Belin, Kristina Benson, Karli Ames, Josh Hutchinson, Skip Anderson, Michael Correy, Phillip Drake, Alex Herrera, Daman Holland, Russell D. Lee, Carl Brewer, Tyler DeJoe, Nathan Meleen, Logan Norris Beard, Matt Warren, Karimah Rahman, Lauren Scharf, Don Hill, Teal Weatherley and Lindsey Kaufman. The role of Elle Woods' dog, Bruiser, will be played by Roxy.
Cast, crew and orchestra are representative of the JCC student body, as well as members of the community who have volunteered their services to the production. The 15-piece orchestra will be conducted by Mary Ann Harp.
The set for the show was designed by Scott Barton and Steven Gustafson. Barton also designed the lighting. Costumes are by Jan Braeger and Jenn Rearick. Gary Peters painted the set.
''This is a really large show,'' Schlick said. ''A great many people are working very hard to have it be successful. I hope the community will turn out to see it.''
Tickets to the performances of ''Legally Blonde'' may be purchased in person at the JCC Box Office, which is located in the Campus Store of the college, or may be purchase online, any time of the day or night with a small service charge by going to the JCC website and then clicking on ''Collegiate Store,'' and then ''Box Office.'' Any tickets which are not sold in advance will be available for sale at the door of the performance shortly before curtain time.