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'Legally Blonde The Musical' opens Friday at Eastlight

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When the film "Legally Blonde" hit the big screen in 2001, it was a hit. Starring Reese Witherspoon, it was successful enough to get a sequel.

But would it translate well into a Broadway musical? It did well enough to gross millions of dollars on tours and earn several Tony Award nominations along the way.

And now central Illinois will get a chance to see it for themselves.

The regional premiere of "Legally Blonde The Musical" opens Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Eastlight Theatre in East Peoria. It continues Aug. 4, 8, 9, 10 and 11 at 7:30 p.m. at Aug. 5 at 2 p.m. in the theatre at East Peoria High School.

Tickets are $19 for adults and $14 for students. Senior citizen tickets are $17. Tickets can be ordered by calling 699-7469 or online at www.EastlightTheatre.com.

The show tells the story of sorority girl Elle Woods who goes to Harvard Law School to prove to her ex-boyfriend that she can be serious. Along the way she learns how her knowledge of law helps others and she even defends a murder suspect at a trial —even though she is only an intern in a law office and hasn't yet attended law school.

The show is co-directed by Damon Hackett and Robin Hunt, who also did the choreography. Music director is Susan Somerville Brown.

Tami Frow, a real-life lawyer, portrays Elle Wood in the Eastlight production. Others in the cast of about 25 include Wendi Fleming as Paulette, Farris Abou-Hanna as Warner, Austin Travis as Emmett, Aimer Kerber as Vivienne and Rachel Higgins as Pilar.

"Legally Blonde" is based on the novel by Amanda Brown. The book for the musical was written by Heather Hach with music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe and Neil Benjamin.

About the Author
Paul Gordon is the editor of The Peorian after spending 29 years of indentured servitude at the Peoria Journal Star. He’s an award-winning writer, raconteur and song-and-dance man. He also went to a high school whose team name is the Alices (that’s Vincennes Lincoln High School in Indiana; you can look it up).