Fashionista-turned-judicial Diva Elle Woods Outwits Critics and Wins at Love in Tony-nominated Musical Adaption for All Ages
Vancouver, BC – In time for Valentine’s Day, Align Entertainment presents the hilarious, romantic hit musical, Legally Blonde, running February 2 – 17, 2018 at Michael J. Fox Theatre. Coming off a successful fall production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, the multi-Ovation Award-winning producers bring together a cast of local theatre stars and emerging talents for the Broadway adaption of this beloved 2001 film. Nominated for seven Tony Awards, Legally Blonde the musical is a shiny, sugar rush of tongue-in-cheek humour, dazzling choreography, and glittering sets in celebration of beauty that embraces brains.
“Legally Blonde reminds us that you don’t have to be pigeon-holed to one persona – you can be the sorority queen and a whip-smart whiz if you want, and win at both life and love,” says director and co-producer Chad Matchette. “The show has a great message, but it doesn’t take itself too seriously and fun is what we at Align Entertainment are all about! We love to present big, bright and boisterous productions where it doesn’t matter if you’re performing on stage or seated in the audience, everyone is having a blast. Take family, friends or that special someone – we promise exceptional entertainment and a smashing time at the theatre!”
Legally Blonde is a novel by Amanda Brown that, not long after becoming a Golden Globe-nominated film, was adapted for the stage by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin (music & lyrics) alongside Heather Hach (script). The show follows the bombastic adventures of blonde beauty Elle Woods – made a household name thanks to Reese Witherspoon’s rollicking on-screen performance. This Bel Air princess with a passion for everything pretty and pink enjoys a would-be perfect life until boyfriend Warner breaks up with her in favor of more “serious” pursuits at law school. Proving she too can have serious ambitions, the lovelorn Woods ditches her Delta-Nu dames and calls on her good looks and wits to follow her sweetheart to Harvard University. Casting away stereotypes, her cunningness in the courtroom earns her a new love and hot career as she outsmarts a criminal and makes off with the trial.
Performing as Elle Woods, Julia Ulrich was recently seen in Fighting Chance Production’s Heathers: The Musical (2016) and as Chava in Royal City Musical Theatre’s Fiddler on the Roof (2016). Stuart Barkley plays pompous ex-boyfriend Warner Huntington III. Barkley starred as Joseph in Align Entertainment’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat this past fall. Barkley was also recently seen in the role of Robert Martin in Theatre Under the Stars’ The Drowsy Chaperone (2017). Victor Hunter is Woods’ true love, Emmett. The recipient of two Ovation Award nominations, Hunter played Bert in Theatre Under the Stars’ Mary Poppins (2017) and regularly lends his voice to Disney and Lucasfilm productions. Trusty side-kick and hair-designer Paulette Bonafonté is played by Jenn Suratos, who appeared as Miss Peretti in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Fighting Chance Productions, 2017) and Miss Sherman in Bring On Tomorrow Co’s FAME(2016). Audiences can also look forward to seeing Chris King as Professor Calahan, Laura Cowan as Brooke Wyndham, Ranae Miller as Vivienne and Justin Lapena as Grandmaster Chad.
Legally Blonde is directed and co-produced by Chad Matchette, with musical direction by Clare Wyatt, who together led Align Entertainment’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. The company has enlisted Nicol Spinolaas choreographer following her work with Bring On Tomorrow Co in 13: The Musical (2017). The creative team includes set designer Brian Ball, lighting designer Robert Sondergaard, sound designer Tim Lang, and Julie White is in charge of creating Woods’ perfectly pink outfits along with costuming the entire cast.
About Align Entertainment (alignentertainment.ca)
Align Entertainment has proudly been bringing fan-favourite, award-winning and family-friendly productions to the Michael J. Fox Theatre since 2014. Founded by Chad Matchette, Patti Volk, Melissa Assalone and Brent Hughes, the company was first on the BC West Coast to mount Shrek The Musical, The Addams Family Musical, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and The Little Mermaid – all to fantastic critic response. Over the seasons, Align Entertainment’s production team and casts have been recognized with Ovation Awards across many categories. Following its successful staging of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, the company continues its 2017/18 season with Legally Blonde.