LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL Opens Tonight in Thousand Oaks

Elle Woods is going to Harvard, and making her Thousand Oaks and regional professional debut as LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL, takes the stage at the Civic Arts Plaza. This funny and heartwarming story of the college student who fights for her dignity, and finds herself along the way, has been turned from a popular movie into a bubbly and energetic Broadway show. Benefitting greatly from the original Broadway choreography of Tony Winner Jerry Mitchell (KINKY BOOTS, HAIRSPRAY), LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL makes its regional professional premiere when it opens tonight, July 19th, 2013, and plays until Sunday, July 28th, at the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, located at 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks.

Like Elle Woods herself, LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL surprises with a sassy and positive attitude and deceptive smarts. With music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin, and a book by Heather Hach, LEGALLY BLONDE follows the story of Elle Woods (played in the movie by Reese Witherspoon), a college graduate underestimated by everyone - especially herself - who takes on Harvard Law School with charm, humor and wit.

The story begins as Elle Woods graduates from U.C.L.A., so it's only appropriate that Cabrillo's production of LEGALLY BLONDE stars an actual U.C.L.A. student. Emma Degerstedt, who starred in the original production of THIRTEEN at the Mark Taper Forum, plays Elle, and she's joined by Matt Bauer as Emmett, John D. LeMay as Professor Callahan, and Lowe Taylor as Paulette. Natalie Storrs of Simi Valley, and recent star of Cabrillo's CHARLIE BROWN, co-stars as Vivienne. And, in the pivotal role of Bruiser, Elle's dog and confidante, is Frankie. Frankie, trained by Tony Award-winning Bill Berloni, has logged more performances as Bruiser than any canine - or human - performer in LEGALLY BLONDE history.

Like all of the animals trained by William Berloni for Broadway shows such as LEGALLY BLONDE, ANNIE and others, Frankie is a rescue animal. In that spirit, Cabrillo Music Theatre continues its nationally-recognized "Beyond the Footlights" Animal Rescue program, in which many organizations from across the community bring their animals to the Civic Arts Plaza at all performances. In past productions, Cabrillo Music Theatre has found homes for dozens of in-need animals, as well as helped to drive up donations for the organizations that do such good work, and LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL promises even more successful additions to families.

Recreating the choreography of Jerry Mitchell, who recently added two nominations for Broadway's KINKY BOOTS to his impressive achievements, is Director Tiffany Engen. Engen, who performed in the Broadway and National Tours of LEGALLY BLONDE, will be joined by Musical Director Darryl Archibald.

"LEGALLY BLONDE is the perfect Cabrillo Music Theatre show," says Lewis Wilkenfeld, Cabrillo's Artistic Director. "It's brand new - never played in the Civic Arts Plaza, never performed professionally in the area - but with the kind of characters that populate the classics - people you can root for." Wilkenfeld believes the cast, culled from an audition of over 500 local actors, will dazzle audiences as well. "This is what Cabrillo does best - Broadway in your Backyard, but with an original and local spin and energy that connects performers and audience." Adds Wilkenfeld, "Some people perceive Elle Woods' story as a female one, but I think audiences - male and female alike - will love this show as much as I do!"

From Broadway's most creative minds to the Southland's most talented performers.... From dogs in need of rescue to one who has become a stage star.... Cabrillo's LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL is the must-see musical of 2013. LEGALLY BLONDE has a bit of risqué behavior and language, but presented in a playful way, and is recommended for anyone who roots for the underdog. Prepare to snap your fingers and tap your feet as Cabrillo Music Theatre's LEGALLY BLONDE has audiences at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza "going Blonde" this summer!

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