Get an inside look into Elon's production of "Legally Blonde the Musical."
“Legally Blonde the Musical” is coming to McCrary Theatre at Elon University from Oct. 25 to 27 and Oct. 31 to Nov. 2.
“Putting together a production is a lot of hours – there are places one can work smart and be efficient but good art born of true collaboration doesn’t take shortcuts,” said Courtney Liu, director of the production and assistant professor of music theatre.
During a recent rehearsal, the cast practiced the songs, harmonies and notes, focusing on specific parts of the songs, and running through those few seconds over and over until they were confident.
“The work ethic is unbelievable,” said Liu. “Students involved onstage and off rehearse an average of 25 hours per week in addition to their other classes. During ‘tech week’ their workload reaches over 40 hours for this show alone before they perform six times over two weekends and then help with ‘strike,’ which is the day where we disassemble the show.”
During the rehearsal, Liu explained to the cast that they would have to extend their rehearsal hours during the weekend, to make sure they covered all the bases in preparation for the showtimes.
“We have to trust each other to get the work done,” said Liu. “If your scene partner or dance partner did not do the work on their own to memorize the lines or notes or dance steps it affects everyone, those working directly on the scene, and the many faculty and student designers working behind the scenes to make sure everything looks fantastic and runs smoothly.”
The cast and crew members had fun from the start of rehearsal, to the moment it ended, from dancing along while singing the songs, letting loose with any of the choreography and even implementing their own thoughts and opinions into creative choices.
“I have the utmost respect for them and the time, energy, grit, generosity of spirit, love for the art form and care for their collaborators they have contributed to this production – the future is bright,” said Liu, explaining all the parts of themselves these passionate individuals bring to musical theater.
With only a piano being played to rehearse the songs, the cast member’s voices carried as they intertwined with one another.
“Legally Blonde reminds us how wrong initial assumptions can be [like the ones Elle Woods faces] and encourages all of us to bravely step out of the stereotypical, two-dimensional, assumed version of ourselves and into the brightest, biggest, fullest version of our true humanity,” said Liu.