“Let’s paint the town pink!” exclaims Joel Shura, director of the Mendocino College production of Legally Blonde: The Musical, as he cheers his cast on in these final weeks of rehearsals for what will surely be a dazzling performance. The show, which runs April 10 through 19 celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Mendocino College Center for Visual and Performing Arts and is sure to delight all!
Fun and perky Elle Woods, played by Fort Bragg resident Alexis Eich, is a girl who loves to shop for the latest pink outfits and all the right handbags. Don’t be fooled by Elle’s seemingly ditsy nature and obsession with fashion, this sorority sister won’t take ‘no’ for an answer! So when her boyfriend dumps her for someone "more serious," Elle sets out to win him back by putting down the credit card and hitting the books. With a goal in mind, Elle goes where no sorority sister has gone before: Harvard Law School!
Shura, a graduate of the Mendocino College Theatre Dept., is back from his studies at UC Irvine and is currently a part time Theatre Arts instructor at Mendocino College, states that, “It is easy to overlook this show as a simple piece of fluff and all surface material. Do a little digging, however, and I think you will be surprised to find the remarkable and empowering treasure trove of substance that is a force to be reckoned with.”
The cast of 30 actors, singers, and dancers have been rehearsing almost every night since late January, with Shura at the helm, as well as accomplished Mendocino College faculty members Les Pfutzenreuter and Marilyn Simpson (music) and Eryn Schon-Brunner (dance). Additionally, students have been creating costumes, building and painting sets, and helping to design and run the lights under the direction of instructors Steve Wilson, Dave Wolf, and Kathy Dingman-Katz.
“Although our student performers are extraordinarily talented, the most irresistible cast members are Spudgey and Besita Dooley, two small dogs playing Bruiser and Rufus,” according to Leslie Saxon West, long time Mendocino College dance professor and producer of the show. “When I watched rehearsal last weekend I could not take my eyes off of Spudgey, who is soaking up all of the attention under the spotlight as he licks everyone in sight!”
Legally Blonde: The Musical opens on Friday, April 10 and runs through Sunday, April 19. Friday and Saturday night shows are at 8:00 PM, Sunday matinees are at 2:00 PM and the Thursday show on April 16th is at 7:30 PM and is only $10. General admission is $20 and $15 for seniors, students, and ASMC cardholders and may be purchased in advance at the Mendocino Book Company on School St. or online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1322163.
For more information go to www.mendocino.edu or call 707 468-3079.