Elle Woods steps into uncharted territory—in pink high heels—when she enters Harvard Law School.
The director and the lead actress of Orpheus Musical Theatre Society’s upcoming production of Legally Blonde the Musical are also stepping into the unknown.
The show will open the company’s 108th season and is based on the 2001 film, starring Reese Witherspoon, that tells the story of a sorority girl who follows her ex-boyfriend to law school and discovers she’s smarter than she thought.
This is drama teacher Cindy Beaton’s first time directing a production for Orpheus after being involved with the Ottawa community theatre company for 20 years.
She said directing is different than she expected—especially the abundant paperwork—but a “wonderful experience.”
The pressure is on, she said, as the show’s Nov. 22 debut looms near.
The musical is about realizing you are capable of more than what people expect of you, she said. This is a message Beaton said she can relate to.
“I’m the oldest of four . . . so there’s a lot of doing what’s expected of me. But then, I do theatre where I get to be on stage and be totally different people,” she said.
Emily Reid, who plays Elle Woods, is also blazing a trail with this production. This is her first lead role with Orpheus.
“It’s been quite the undertaking,” she said.
Reid works in public relations but loves the creativity of musical theatre. She, too, says she can identify with Elle’s story.
“Elle puts everything in her heart into everything that she does and I think I do that same thing,” she said. “[Elle’s] a little bit braver than I am, but actually working through this show has made me see that I can be a little bit more brave myself.”
Reid said the support of the other cast members has allowed her to grow in vulnerability through the process.
They began working on the musical in early September 2013 and are now holding five rehearsals a week.
Beaton said it’s a challenging show because, like many new Broadway shows, it incorporates lots of technical aspects.
For example, one song requires cast members to move through four different sets. At another point, Reid must change her costume on stage in a matter of seconds. Adapting these grand Broadway elements to a community theatre has been the main challenge, Beaton said.
Despite the show’s demands, almost all of the people involved in the production are volunteers, except for the orchestra musicians.
While the actors are rehearsing, the volunteers work in the shop constructing sets and in the sewing room making costumes.
The show is also unique because it is adapted from a film. Beaton said it’s important to remain true to the original movie so fans aren’t disappointed. With that in mind, the musical will include memorable scenes such as the “bend and snap.”
But Beaton said she doesn’t want the actors to feel constrained by the movie.
“You have to give the actor the opportunity to create that character too and find her own unique ‘Elle-isms,” she said.
A line said to Elle in the show echoes Orpheus’ hope for first-time director Beaton and first-time lead Reid.
“I see no end to what you can achieve. That’s only if you don’t turn and run. You’ve proved it to me, now show everyone what you can do.”
The show runs from Nov. 22-Dec. 1. Tickets are available for students for $11.25.
