LEGALLY BLONDE Opens at Ogunquit Playhouse Tonight

OMG, like, you totally have to see Legally Blonde the Musical, on stage August 24 through September 17! Get your pink on and join the Ogunquit Playhouse for this all singing, all dancing, feel-good musical comedy that is so much fun it shouldn't be legal!

This award-winning Broadway musical sensation is based on the hit movie of the same name and follows college sweetheart and homecoming queen Elle Woods, played by Broadway's Becky Gulsvig, as she puts down the credit card, hits the books and heads for Harvard Law School in pursuit of her boyfriend Warner, who just dumped her for someone more serious. There she encounters Professor Callahan played by the Tony Award winning actor Michael Rupert and proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style. Legally Blonde the Musical will take you from the social whirl of California campus life to Harvard's halls of justice with our heroine Elle, her Chihuahua, Bruiser and the bull-dog-toting-hairdresser Paulette, played by none other than Emmy Award winning Playhouse favorite Sally Struthers. Legally Blonde the Musical was nominated for 7 Tony Awards in 2007 and won the Olivier Award for Best Musical this past June in London.

Becky Gulsvig is reprising the role of Elle Woods after 2 years in the 1st National Tour of Legally Blonde, for which she received a Helen Hayes Award nomination. Becky was also a member of the original Broadway cast of Legally Blonde as (Leilani/understudy Elle/Serena/Margot) and starred in Hairspray as Amber Von Tussle. The Tony Award winning actor Michael Rupert joins the cast as professor Callahan, the role he originated on Broadway (as well as the MTV Presentation). Mr. Rupert's other Broadway credits include Ragtime, Falsettos (Tony nomination/LA Ovation Award), City of Angels, Mail, Sweet Charity (Tony Award, Drama Desk Award), Shakespeare's Cabaret, Pippin, The Happy Time (Tony nomination, Theater World Award).

Sally Struthers is best known for her comedic roles and is a highly acclaimed actress of stage, television and screen, winning two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award for her performances in television's groundbreaking series All in the Family. She starred in the Fox television series 9 to 5, her own CBS series Gloria and had recurring roles in the CBS comedy Still Standing and the CW's highly acclaimEd Gilmore Girls. Sally appeared last year at the Ogunquit Playhouse as Mama Morton in the hit production Chicago.

Director for the Ogunquit production is Marc Bruni whose relationship with Legally Blonde began as the Associate Director on Broadway, and then with the London and U.S. Tours and MTV's "Search for Elle Woods." In addition to his many directing credits in regional theatres across the county, he has been associated with Walter Bobbie, Kathleen Marshall, Jerry Mitchell and Jerry Zaks on fourteen Broadway shows including this year's Tony winning revival of Anything Goes. Rusty Mowery joins the creative team as choreographer. Rusty has been part of Legally Blonde since its original workshop production in New York and is the Associate Choreographer for both the London and UK National Tour productions. In addition, Rusty has danced on Broadway in the casts of Legally Blonde, Hairspray, Seussical, Ragtime and Cats.

Featured in the Ogunquit Playhouse production of Legally Blonde are two of Bill Berloni's dogs, Frankie the Chihuahua and Chloe the Bulldog. Bill Berloni is the top recognized trainer for theatrical animals in the U.S. and was the 2011 recipient of a Tony Award for Excellence in Theatre, honoring his 30 years of rescuing shelter dogs and humanely training them for a career in the entertainment industry. Bill's animals have appeared in hundreds of Broadway, Off-Broadway and regional theatre productions, tours, movies and television shows all starting with Annie in 1977. Frankie will reprise his role as Bruiser after touring with Becky Gulsvig in the original Broadway tour. Chloe will return to the role of Rufus, the role she originated on Broadway.

The fall ushers in one of the most stunning Broadway blockbusters of all time, Miss Saigon, an epic love story that will touch your heart and haunt your memory, on stage September 21 through October 23. This compelling tale, a modern variation of Madame Butterfly by the creators of Les Misérables, shares the emotional story of an American GI and his love affair with a Vietnamese girl in a world torn apart by war. From the first sound of a helicopter flying as the sun rises over Saigon during the Overture, to the show's powerful ending, Miss Saigon will take you on a touching journey about unwavering love and self sacrifice. The emotionally powerful score features the show stopping "The Movie in My Mind," "I Still Believe," "Why God Why" and "The American Dream."
Take advantage of Super Saver seats and new standard price rollbacks now available online or through the Box Office. Prices range from $49 to $76.50. The Ogunquit Playhouse is America's Foremost Summer Theatre, a 501c3 not-for-profit organization, producing the finest Broadway musicals each season, with performances Tuesday through Sunday until October 23, 2011. For a complete list of show times, pricing and more information about the season, visit our website www.ogunquitplayhouse.org. Tickets on-line or by calling the local box office at 207-646-5511.

Photo by Joan Marcus.

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