Interview: Jessica Halverson of LEGALLY BLONDE at Ashland Productions
This production runs now through February 12th
Elle Woods appears to have it all. Her life is turned upside down when her boyfriend Warner dumps her so he can attend Harvard Law. Determined to get him back, Elle ingeniously charms her way into the prestigious law school. While there, she struggles with peers, professors and her ex. With the support of some new friends, though, Elle quickly realizes her potential and sets out to prove herself to the world.
We chat with Jessica Halverson who plays Elle Woods in Ashland's production of Legally Blonde.
What is your favorite song in Legally Blonde?
All of the music in this show is so much fun, but my favorite song is actually the Legally Blonde duet that I sing with Emmett. It is such a beautiful ballad, and so different from all of the other big belty songs in the show. The song is full of emotion and really shows a vulnerability to Elle that we haven't fully seen yet. It is my favorite song to sing, and I especially love singing it with my scene partner Jack (Emmett); our voices blend so well together and our connection onstage is undeniable.
What is your favorite moment in the show?
It is so hard to choose one moment in this show! There are so many amazing moments, but one of my favorites is "What You Want (Parts One and Two)." It is such a big number with flashy costumes, fantastic choreography, and almost everyone in the cast involved! I love how Elle gets to interact with so many different characters in this song, and it's one of the first moments in the show that will really blow the audience away. And of course any moment where I get to interact with my dog Bruiser (played by an adorable chihuahua Izzy) is a fun one!
What do you hope audiences take away from seeing Legally Blonde?
On the surface, Legally Blonde is full of flashy costumes, big musical dance numbers, and funny comedic moments, so I hope you leave smiling and entertained! But looking deeper, there is so much more to it than that. Legally Blonde is about being true to yourself, finding your own way, going after your dreams, and realizing you are strong enough to achieve those dreams on your own. Elle's reason for going to Harvard may not have been a great one at first (she goes to follow a man), but she realizes that he is actually the thing holding her back from achieving her goals. That if she stays focused and works hard (and with the continuous support of her friends and family), she can achieve anything she wants to. One thing I love about Elle Woods is that she may seem like a stereotypical "rich, ditzy blonde" on the surface, but she is actually very driven, strong, smart, optimistic, and kind to everyone she meets. She is the girl everyone is drawn to because of her kindness and positivity. And she's not as "dumb" as she looks... she did get a 175 on her LSATS after all! ;-) In the words of Elle Woods, "Being true to yourself never goes out of style."
What are your favorite local spots?
Sak's Sports Bar in Vadnais Heights, and Doc's Landing in White Bear Lake are two places the casts have frequented after rehearsals and performances at Ashland. Or if you are looking for a pub/brewery close by, check out Crooked Pint Ale House.
Thank you Jessica for your time!
For more ticket and show information, click the ticket button link below.
From This Author - Jared Fessler
Jared [He/Him] is originally from Iowa and resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He grew up doing theatre and studied music, dance, and theatre with additional training in BFA musical theatre.
F... (read more about this author)
Interview: Joshua Pelatzky of BETTY WHO WITH SHEA COULEE at First AvenueMarch 24, 2023
Review: MY FAIR LADY at Ordway Center For The Performing ArtsMarch 23, 2023
What did our critic think of MY FAIR LADY at Ordway Center For The Performing Arts? Boasting classic songs like 'I Could Have Danced All Night' and 'On the Street Where You Live,' My Fair Lady tells the story of Eliza Doolittle, a young Cockney flower seller, and Henry Higgins, a linguistics professor who is determined to transform her into his idea of a 'proper lady.' But, in this new staging of the show, brilliantly directed by Bartlett Sher, you might ask yourself who is really being transformed?
Interview: Melody Her of AGAIN at Theater MuMarch 23, 2023
Local Hmong American playwright and theater artist Katie Ka Vang returns to Theater Mu for the world premiere of her and Melissa Li's musical, Again. Weaving together unlikely friendships, complex family dynamics, and original songs, Again runs Mar 31-Apr 16 at Mixed Blood Theatre in Minneapolis (previews Mar 29 & 30). The story begins when cancer survivor Mai See, a successful memoirist who can't seem to get her life together, meets Quest, an aspiring filmmaker who is battling chronic cancer herself. Inspired by Mai See's work, Quest asks her to star in her documentary. Although Mai See reluctantly agrees, they're both thrown for a loop when Mai See discovers she has relapsed.
Interview: Lars Pruitt, Jake Felstow, And Zach Beinlich of UPTOWN THEATER KICKOFF PARTY WITH YAM HAUS at Uptown Theater MinneapolisMarch 21, 2023
Yam Haus is a band from Minneapolis, Minnesota. The members are Lars Pruitt, Jake Felstow, And Zach Beinlich. The have toured throughout the U.S. Their music is availible on all music streaming platforms.
Interview: Varla Jean Merman of VARLA JEAN MERMAN: READY TO BLOW at Brave New WorkshopMarch 20, 2023
International drag chanteuse Varla Jean Merman is a woman on the verge of a nervous breakdown! After the craziest time in memory, the loosest gal in town is at loose ends.
