director's note

Kendra Norton Dando

I first saw Legally Blonde the Musical in 2007 when I was attending a theatre conference in NYC. I rolled my eyes but wasn’t about to turn down a free ticket to a Broadway show. About twenty minutes into Act I my colleagues and I turned to each other…this show held promise…snappy lyrics, dynamic choreo, dogs on stage…we were laughing out loud and genuinely enjoying ourselves. Maybe I shouldn’t have been so quick to judge.

Fast-forward a few years and here we are in 2023, bringing Legally Blonde to the Paramount for the first time. The show still makes me laugh and it still has dogs (yeah!) and though things have changed significantly over the last sixteen years, the experience of Elle Woods is still relevant today.

Legally Blonde is a show that leans into stereotypes—some eliciting laughter while others make us cringe. But it’s through these stereotypes that we are asked to consider our own judgments and perceptions. As Elle comes to terms with who she is in a place that seeks to define her based on appearance, we also confront questions of loyalty, idealism, and what it means to be true to self.

So welcome to the world of Elle Woods…a world of blonde, of sisterhood, of pink. And also a world of defining and defying expectations. To thine own self be true.

OMIGOD YOU GUYS

SERIOUS

DAUGHTER OF DELTA NU WHAT YOU WANT

THE HARVARD VARIATIONS BLOOD IN THE WATER POSITIVE

IRELAND

IRELAND (REPRISE)

SERIOUS (REPRISE)

CHIP ON MY SHOULDER RUN RUFUS RUN/ELLE REFLECTS SO MUCH BETTER

Elle, Margot, Serena, Pilar, Delta Nus, Manager, Saleswoman

Warner, Elle

Serena, Margot, Pilar, Delta Nus

Elle, Delta Nus, Mom, Dad, Grandmaster Chad, Kate, Winthrop, Lowell, Pforzheimer, Margot, Serena, Pilar, Company

Emmett, Aaron, Sundeep, Enid, Students

Callahan, Students

Serena, Margot, Pilar, Elle, Greek Chorus, Paulette

Paulette

Warner, Elle

Emmett, Elle, Greek Chorus, Company

Elle

Elle, Greek Chorus, Company

20 Minute Intermission

act II

WHIPPED INTO SHAPE

DELTA NU NU NU

TAKE IT LIKE A MAN

BEND AND SNAP

GAY OR EUROPEAN

LEGALLY BLONDE LEGALLY BLONDE REMIX SCENE OF THE CRIME

FIND MY WAY FINALE BOWS

Brooke, Callahan, Company

Elle, Brooke

Elle, Emmett, Salespeople

Serena, Margot, Pilar, Paulette, Elle, Salon Folk

Elle, Callahan, Enid, Vivienne, Emmett, Warner, Brooke, Carlos, Nikos, Judge, Company

Elle, Emmett

Vivienne, Enid, Elle, Company

Margot, Serena, Pilar, Judge, Elle, Brooke, Delta Nus, Company

Elle, Paulette, Company Company

Nicholas Benner (NIKOS, ENSEMBLE) works for Fraser as a Behavioral Technician. In his free time, Nick enjoys playing video games and board games, and spending time with his niece and nephew. He has been in many GREAT productions including Disney’s Descendants, Newsies, and The Little Mermaid

Travis Bunkers (GRANDMASTER CHAD, CARLOS U/S, ENSEMBLE) is a delivery driver at Gary’s Pizza. Travis’s history with GREAT includes shows like Mamma Mia! and The King and I. Travis decided to get involved with Legally Blonde because he likes working with fun people. Outside of work and theatre, they like rock climbing, video games, and horror movies.

Katie Bruender (BROOKE, DANCE CAPTAIN) works as an Accounting Associate, is an avid reader, and bakes jaw-droppingly cute cookies. Katie’s been in GREAT productions of White Christmas, Mamma Mia!, and Chicago. Katie is bringing her expertise with dance to the role of Brooke!

Ashleigh Cola (BOOKISH CLIENT, DELTA NU, PILAR U/S, ENSEMBLE) works in Acquisitions at Procore Technologies. She’s been involved with GREAT productions both onstage and behind the scenes—you may recognize her from Little Shop of Horrors or The Play that Goes Wrong. Ashleigh enjoys theatre, swimming, and taking a bubble baths.

Kylee Crews (ELLE) is an honors student at SCSU, double majoring in Early Childhood Education and Spanish. She likes to spend her time enjoying theatre, reading, or cross-stitching. Kylee has been in GREAT productions of Grease!, White Christmas, and Little Shop of Horrors Kylee is thrilled to take the stage for Legally Blonde!

Cameron DeVillers (KIKI THE COLORIST, ENID U/S, ENSEMBLE) is a stylist at Great Clips. She has been in productions ranging from Fiddler on the Roof to The Rocky Horror Show, along with GREAT productions of Matilda and Mamma Mia!. When she’s not gracing the stage, Cameron might be painting, doing design work, or out seeing a show!

Tierney Hammer (GAELAN, CHUTNEY U/S, ENSEMBLE) is a Dance and Gymnastics Instructor at North Crest! She’s been in GREAT productions including White Christmas, Grease!, and Mamma Mia!. When Tierney has time to spare, they like to sew, paint, and shop for shoes.

Celena Hansen (STORE MANAGER, WHITNEY, JUDGE, VIVIENNE U/S, ENSEMBLE) is an Administrative Assistant at the St. Cloud Hospital. When she has free time, Celina likes to read, watch old movies, and paint with watercolors. Celena decided to audition for Legally Blonde because she’s had fun with past GREAT shows, Grease! and White Christmas.

Ellie Hayden (H&H SALESGIRL, DELTA NU SWING, KATE U/S, ENSEMBLE) is a Marketing Specialist at Central Minnesota Mental Health Center. Ellie has been in GREAT productions of Beauty and the Beast and Mr. Popper’s Penguins. In her spare time, Ellie likes to have game nights with friends, read, hike, and spend time with her dogs!

Chad Holien (ELLE’S DAD, CALLAHAN U/S, ENSEMBLE) is an Orthopedic Surgeon at St. Cloud Orthopedics. Chad loves learning new things with each show he is in, and meeting people at different stages of their own theatre journeys. He has been in GREAT shows such as White Christmas, Mamma Mia!, and Beauty and the Beast. When he’s not onstage, Chad likes to watch sports, travel, and cook.

Mitchell Hurrle (AARON SCHULTZ, EMMETT U/S, ENSEMBLE) is a Registered Nurse on the NICU at the St. Cloud Hospital. Mitchell auditioned for Legally Blonde because he loves the music, but also because he loves meeting new people in each show he’s in. Mitchell’s theatre history includes GREAT productions of The Play that Goes Wrong, Mamma Mia!, and Grease!, among many others.

Denzel Kazeze (SUNDEEP, NIKOS U/S, ENSEMBLE) is a full time student at Anoka Ramsey Community College, and likes to stay active, whether that means sports, dancing, or working out. Denzel auditioned for Legally Blonde because he wants to keep improving his singing and dancing, a journey he started with GREAT’s recent production of Black Nativity. Denzel’s ultimate goal is to become an entertainer.

Alex Kelton (ENID HOOPES) catalogues books at the public library. Alex decided to audition after learning of Legally Blonde from “Pansies,” by Alexis Hall. From there, she listened to the cast recording, and with some encouragement from her partner, auditioned! When they’re not at rehearsal or work, Alex might be studying French, drawing, or experimenting with whiskey-based cocktails.

Jeff Kirchoff (WINTHROP, ELLE’S DAD U/S, ENSEMBLE) is the Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences at St. Cloud Technical and Community College, as well as an avid hiker and disc golfer. Jeff was in a number of productions in high school, such as Bye Bye Birdie and The Importance of Being Earnest, and recently returned to theatre with GREAT’s production of White Christmas. Jeff is excited to sharpen his theatre skills and meet new people with Legally Blonde!

Elizabeth Kothman (KATE, COURT STENOGRAPHER, ENSEMBLE) is a senior at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School. Elizabeth sees theatre as an escape from the hustle and bustle of high school life, and as a way to meet new people and explore new parts of herself! Elizabeth has been in productions of Legally Blonde, Shrek, and Freaky Friday, among others! When she’s not in class or onstage, she likes to play games, listen to music, and hang out with friends!

Mackenzie Krueger (SERENA) is a power-lifter, a painter-by-numbers, and a server at Granite City Food and Brewery, among other things. Mackenzie graduated from UMD with a musical theatre degree, and has been pursuing a career in the arts ever since! She’s been in many productions, including BARE: A Pop Opera, and recent GREAT productions of Matilda and Little Shop of Horrors Legally Blonde is a show Mackenzie has always wanted to do “at least once.”

Allison Legg (CHUTNEY, 2ND PERFUME SALESGIRL, BROOKE U/S, ENSEMBLE) is an accountant at CrowdStreet, a choreographer for local theatre programs including Apollo and St. Cloud Tech, and a Disney fanatic. Allison was drawn to Legally Blonde for the strength of its characters, impressed that every ensemble role has a chance to shine. Allison has been in many GREAT shows, including The Play that Goes Wrong, Grease!, and Clue.

Nate Lundstrum (JET BLUE PILOT, GUARD, ENSEMBLE) works as a scheduling dispatcher in the transportation department of Tri-Cap. Nate didn’t know of Legally Blonde the Musical until he heard that GREAT was producing it, and now he couldn’t be happier to be part of it! His other theatre experiences include Nuncrackers, An Evening of Culture, GREAT’s production of Cinderella, and more!

Ellis Meyer (LEILANI, MARGOT UNDERSTUDY, ENSEMBLE) is a senior at Little Falls Community High School. She has been in many shows, including Kodachrome and GREAT productions of The Little Mermaid and Anne of Green Gables. When she’s not at rehearsal or school, Ellis may be competing at speech tournaments or hanging out with friends.

Sam Pounds (MARGOT, ELLE U/S) works at the St. Cloud hospital as the Specialty Scheduling Assistant for the Endoscopy department. She has been in many productions, including White Christmas, Young Frankenstein, and a GREAT production of Mulan Jr Sam decided to audition for Legally Blonde as a fun and enlivening return to theatre after her studies pulled her away for several years.

Luke Reber (KYLE, ENSEMBLE, AARON UNDERSTUDY) is a custom carpenter. Luke has been in many productions, including Elf the Musical, and GREAT productions of Newsies and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Some of Luke’s favorite pastimes are ultimate frisbee, basketball, and gardening.