McKendree Students to Perform 'Legally Blonde: The Musical' Nov. 9-11

(LEBANON, Ill., October 30, 2018) — Beloved Ivy League blonde Elle Woods will take the stage by pink storm when the McKendree University Theatre and Music Departments proudly present “Legally Blonde: The Musical.” The curtain will rise for three performances, Nov. 9-11 at the Hettenhausen Center for the Arts on campus. Friday and Saturday performances begin at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday’s matinee starts at 2:30 p.m.

Admission is free but reservations are required. Contact the Hett box office between noon and 4 p.m. at 618-537-6863. The Hett opens for general admission seating 30 minutes early.

A special performance will be held for schools on Thursday, Nov. 8 at 10 a.m. Interested schools should contact the Hett box office at (618) 537-6863.

The feel-good musical comedy about self-discovery is based on the novel by Amanda Brown, the 2001 MGM motion picture starring Reese Witherspoon, and the 2007 Broadway production. Leading the McKendree show are Director Michelle Radke Magnussen; and Dr. John McDonald, assistant professor of music education and Show Choir director.

“‘Legally Blonde’ is about pursuing a dream. Elle goes to Harvard to chase a guy, but finds out she can be more than she thought,” said Magnussen. “I think one of the most enduring takeaways from this show is that life may not go as you plan, but if you keep your eyes and your heart open, what awaits you may just be better than what you thought you wanted.”

Haleigh Stevenson, a senior sociology major and music minor from Troy, Ill., stars as Elle Woods, a UCLA sorority girl who follows her preppy ex-boyfriend to Harvard Law School, where she defies expectations and pursues her dream. Other members of the large ensemble cast are: Hope Connelly, Brittany Thompson, Brittany Kelley, Aliyah Smith, Makenna Kramer, Andrew Letscher, JD Lindley, Cameron Nollman, Nick Glass, Markees Turner, Aydriel Garrison, Grant Benham, Darby Maguire, Kyle Burch, Korenna Anderson, Kae Edgcomb, Hunter Tucker, Kristen Rogers, Kelsey Genteman, Bri Carraker, Chris Fernandez, Ife Adeoye, Kendra Gibbons, Ellen Hoffman, Alex Huang, Zaynah Lehman-Dodd and Riley Wallendorf. Delta Nu/Greek chorus members are Faith Rose, Kara Grafton, Katy Lahm, Elizabeth Birkner, Amanda Morgan, Alecia Chestang and Sadie Rice.

Assisting Technical Director Douglas Magnussen and Co-Stage Managers Emily Harper and Virginia Parkinson are Loren Terveer is deck manager and props artisan; and crew members Gavin Martin, Clay Caldwell, Daniel Stovey, Meg Schnoeker, Kaleea Washington, Brooke McMillan, Omar Jawaid, Skylar Bowery and Roxi Kropveld. Katera Smith serves as dance captain. Graduate assistant Joshua Hughlett is the marketing coordinator for the show.

Band members are Andrew Rist, Matt Wilder, Alex Cooper, Hayley Luster, Fiona Green, Alyssa Coats and Kelly Damann.

 

-McK-