Millennial Theatre says time is right for ‘Blonde’

Staff report

COLUMBIANA

The Millennial Theatre Company will present “Legally Blonde, the Musical” at Crestview High School Performing Arts Center, 44100 Crestview Road, for six performances over two-consecutive weekends, beginning Friday.

Based on the 2001 movie, “Legally Blonde, the Musical” tells the story of Elle Woods, whose life is turned upside down when her boyfriend, Warner, dumps her and goes off to Harvard Law School.

Determined to get him back, Elle charms her way into the prestigious law school. She struggles at first but with the support of some new friends, realizes her potential.

Joe Asente, director of the production and artistic director of MTC, said bringing a well-known movie to the stage presents challenges.

“When working on a production that has such heavy name recognition... it is important that it has a strong mix of what people have come to expect from the title, while still surprising the audience with a few tricks that we have up our sleeves.”

MTC’s mission is centered around bringing awareness to issues that are important to the millennial generation, and producing “Legally Blonde” does just that.

“We have been trying to find a way to work ‘Legally Blonde’ into our schedule,” said Asente, adding that the timing is right for doing it this summer.

“With themes such as sexual harassment in the workplace, girl power, learning your own self-worth and starting a new career path out of college, the piece could not possibly fit better in 2019 and in what we are trying to do here at MTC.”

The cast of Millennial’s production features Sarah Skiver as Elle Woods, Nathaniel Ams as Emmett Forrest, Landon Talbert as Professor Callahan, Lohgan Talbert as Paulette Bounofonte, and Matthew Ellis as Warner Huntington III. Savannah Florkowski is music director and Aubrie Morrison is choreographer.