“You got into Harvard Law?” “What, like it’s hard.”
Charleston Stage, now celebrating its 47th Season, is South Carolina’s largest professional theatre company in residence at the Historic Dock Street Theatre. Charleston Stage’s acclaimed full-scale productions light up the stage with stunning scenery, dazzling costumes, and brilliant lights! Productions feature a Professional Resident Acting Company and over 100 professional actors, singers, designers and theatre artists. All performances take place at the Historic Dock Street Theatre, “America’s First Theatre,” in the heart of downtown Charleston.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
3 Brief Synopsis, Characters and Age Recommendation
4-5 Background Info: The Creative Team
5 Fun Facts and Content Warnings
6-7 Dock Street Theatre
8 Theatre Education
Music and Lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin Book by Heather Hach
Based on the Novel by Amanda Brown and the Metro-GoldwynMayer Motion Picture
LEGALLY BLONDE is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
Direction by Marybeth Clark
Music Direction by Sam Henderson
Choreography by Cara Dolan
Exclusive Title Sponsor: The Albert Sottile Foundation, Georgia Homer Darby and Mary Ellen Long Way, Trustees
BRIEF Synopsis
The high-energy and empowering theatrical extravaganza, Legally Blonde, brings the beloved story of Elle Woods to the stage with a vibrant burst of pink and a whole lot of heart. Based on the hit film starring Reese Witherspoon and winner of 3 Olivier Awards, this musical follows Elle, a fashionable and seemingly superficial sorority girl, as she defies expectations and enrolls in Harvard Law School to win back her ex-boyfriend. As Elle discovers her own strengths and intelligence, the story unfolds into a hilarious and heartwarming journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and the pursuit of justice. Packed with catchy musical numbers, dynamic choreography, and the iconic “Bend and Snap,” Legally Blonde is an electrifying and entertaining production that proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style.
CHARACTERS
Elle Woods
Emmett Forrest
Warner Huntington III
Paulette
Vivienne
Professor Callahan
Brooke Wyndham
Margot
Serena
Pilar
the creative team
Amanda Brown (Author)
Amanda Brown is an American author best known for her novel Legally Blonde, which inspired the popular film franchise. Born in California’s San Fernando Valley, Brown drew on her experiences at Stanford Law School to create the story of Elle Woods, a determined young woman who enters Harvard Law School to win back her exboyfriend. The novel, published in 2001, humorously tackles themes of empowerment and stereotypes. Its success led to a hit film starring Reese Witherspoon and subsequent adaptations, cementing Brown’s place in pop culture as a witty and insightful writer.
Heather Hach (Playwright)
Heather Hach is a versatile American playwright and screenwriter known for her contributions to theatre and film. She gained acclaim for co-writing the book for the successful Broadway musical Legally Blonde, adapted from Amanda Brown’s novel and subsequent film. Hach’s work blends humor with engaging characters and catchy songs, earning praise for its vibrant storytelling.
Beyond theatre, Heather Hach has penned screenplays for films like Freaky Friday (2003) and What to Expect When You’re Expecting (2012), showcasing her ability to weave comedy and heartfelt moments into compelling narratives. Her work continues to resonate with audiences, demonstrating her skill in crafting memorable stories across different mediums.
Laurence O’Keefe (Composer and Lyricist)
Laurence O’Keefe is an acclaimed American composer and lyricist known for his contributions to musical theatre. Born on January 3, 1969, in Chicago, Illinois, O’Keefe gained recognition for his offBroadway hit Bat Boy: The Musical in 2001. He co-wrote the music and lyrics for Legally Blonde: The Musical, which premiered on Broadway in 2007 and became a sensation for its catchy songs and comedic flair. O’Keefe’s work often blends humor with memorable melodies, cementing his reputation as a prominent figure in contemporary musical theatre.
Background Info
Nell Benjamin (Composer and Lyricist)
Nell Benjamin is an accomplished American lyricist and composer known for her work in musical theatre. She co-wrote the music and lyrics for Legally Blonde: The Musical, which premiered on Broadway in 2007 and became a hit for its witty songs and vibrant energy. Benjamin’s talent for blending humor with catchy melodies has also been showcased in other productions, including Mean Girls: The Musical. Her contributions to theatre and beyond highlight her skill in crafting engaging and memorable musical experiences.
FUN Facts
• Legally Blonde: The Musical premiered on Broadway at the Palace Theatre on April 29, 2007, and ran for 595 performances. It was nominated for several Tony Awards, including Best Original Score and Best Leading Actress in a Musical for Laura Bell Bundy (Elle Woods).
• The musical is based on the 2001 film Legally Blonde, starring Reese Witherspoon. However, it adds new songs, characters, and plot elements that are unique to the stage adaptation.
• Beyond its comedic elements, the musical explores themes of empowerment, selfdiscovery, and the importance of staying true to oneself. It’s known for its upbeat and positive message.
• The musical has been performed in numerous countries around the world, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, South Korea, and Japan, among others. It has been translated into several languages, adapting the story for different cultures.
CONTENT WARNINGS
Legally Blonde addresses sexual harassment and contains mild language. College students are seen drinking beer from a keg at a party. There is also provocative dancing in some of the dance numbers.
dock street theatre
For almost 300 years audiences have delighted in performances at the Historic Dock Street Theatre which stands on the site of the very first theatre building in America which opened its doors in 1736. The current building, originally The Planter’s Hotel was built in 1803 and in 1937 was converted into the Dock Street Theatre know today. Charleston Stage presents over 150 performances at the Historic Dock Street Theatre playing to theatre goers from every state in the union and many foreign countries. The Dock Street Theatre, newly renovated in 2010, is currently owned and managed by the City of Charleston. Other performing arts groups including Spoleto Festival USA perform here annually.
On February 12, 1736 the Dock Street Theatre opened with a performance of The Recruiting Officer. Built on the corner of Church Street and Dock Street (now known as Queen Street), the Historic Dock Street Theatre was the first building in America built exclusively to be used for theatrical performances. Flora, the first opera performance in America, took place at the Historic Dock Street Theatre.
The original Dock Street Theatre was probably destroyed by the Great Fire of 1740 which destroyed many of the buildings in Charleston’s French Quarter. In 1809, the Planter’s Hotel was built on this site and in 1835 the wrought iron balcony and sandstone columns of the Church Street facade were added. A number of notable persons worked and patronized the Planter’s Hotel including the noted 19th Century actor Junius Brutus Booth (father of Edwin and John Wilkes Booth). Robert Smalls, an African-American Civil War hero, who stole a steamboat in the harbor and sailed it out past the Confederate-held Ft. Sumter and turned it over to the blockading Union Fleet, served as a waiter in the hotel’s dining room prior to the war. Charleston’s famed Planter’s Punch was first introduced here.
After the Civil War, the Planter’s Hotel fell into disrepair and was slated for demolition. But in 1935, after Milton Pearlstine made the property available to the City of Charleston and at the urging of Mayor Burnet Maybank and other notable citizens, the original building became a Depression Era WPA (Works Progress Administration) project. At that time, the present theatre was constructed within the shell of the
Planter’s Hotel. The hotel’s grand foyer became the grand foyer of the theatre and the hotel’s dining room now serves as the box office lobby. The beautiful woodwork and mantels of the second floor drawing room were salvaged from the Radcliffe-King Mansion (circa 1799) which stood at the corner of George and Meeting Streets and was razed to build the College of Charleston gymnasium, another WPA project. Modeled on eighteenth century London playhouses by Charleston architect Albert Simons, the present Dock Street Theatre’s new stage house and auditorium were built in the hotel’s courtyard. The local carpenters who were put to work as a part of this Depression era relief effort utilized locally grown and milled native black cypress for the beautiful warm wooden interior. Following this $350,000 renovation, The Historic Dock Street Theatre’s second grand opening took place on November 26, 1937. Notables in the audience included author DuBose Heyward (Porgy) who was named writer-inresidence.
The Historic Dock Street Theatre reopened for the third time on March 18, 2010 after a three year, $19 million dollar renovation by the City of Charleston. This extensive fullscale renovation brought the historic theatre into the 21st century with state-of-theart lighting and sound, modern heating and air conditioning, and new restrooms and seating. In addition, the theatre was made seismically secure and fully handicapped accessible. Extensive sound-proofing was added to ensure that outside noises no longer intruded on performances inside.
Acting Classes
200+ Students Attend Acting Classes
After School
Charleston Stage’s TheatreSchool offers classes year round for students from Kindergarten through 8th Grade at Charleston Stage’s West Ashley Theatre Center. Acting classes for students of all ages and abilities are taught by members of Charleston Stage’s Professional Resident Acting Company. Classes range from beginning classes to performance workshops and performance troupes. We are now offering full-year registration and enrollment is accepted on a rolling basis. Tuition scholarships are available for need-based students. Register online today at CharlestonStage.com/education!
ArtReach In-School Workshops
Bringing Professional Actors Into the Classroom
Charleston Stage’s Professional Resident Actors provide dynamic workshops in area schools throughout the Lowcountry. Workshops use theatrical skills to teach academic subjects and can be combined with a school matinee performance experience. For information on booking ArtReach workshops, contact Rylee Coppel, Director of Education and Engagement, at rcoppel@charlestonstage.com or (843) 225-3900.
TheatreWings High School Apprenticeships
A Tuition-Free Apprentice Program For Teens
The TheatreWings High School Apprentice Program is designed to allow talented young people the opportunity to work directly with theatre professionals and gain first-hand experience in professional theatrical production. Students explore stage management, lighting and sound, as well as set, prop, and costume design and construction. Designed for highly dedicated students, TheatreWings requires more than 100+ hours of apprenticeship each season. For more information, email TheatreWings Co-Coordinators Ravyn Meador or Caleb Garner at wings@charlestonstage.com.
For more information on our Education programs, call the Education Office at (843) 225-3900 or visit CharlestonStage.com/education.
