Bailee Endebrock as Elle Woods and Cricket Lynn Chaney as Bruiser in the McLeod Summer Playhouse/Carbondale Community Arts All Southern High School Theater production of “Legally Blonde” at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. (Photo by Steve Buhman)
July 15, 2015
‘Legally Blonde’ comes to McLeod Theater
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Girl power rocks the stage at Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s McLeod Theater when the musical production “Legally Blonde” comes to town July 30 through Aug. 2.
The production is this year’s All Southern High School Project, a collaborative effort between McLeod Summer Playhouse and Carbondale Community Arts to bring talented high school actors from the region to work with a professional staff on stage.
“Legally Blonde” tells the story of sorority queen Elle Woods, who follows her ex-boyfriend to Harvard Law School to try to win him back. Instead, she discovers she has more sass, savvy and sense than she knew. Along the path of self-discovery, she wins friends, a more worthy boyfriend, and a court case involving a fitness guru accused of murder.
At the center of this production is Bailee Endebrock as Elle Woods. SIU music theater dance faculty member Cody Walker directs and choreographs the production. Tim Fink takes the baton as musical director and conductor. Cassandra King designed the sets, Casey Watkins designed the costumes, and Will Coeur handles the lighting.
“Legally Blonde” plays at McLeod Theater (Communications Building, SIU) July 30-Aug. 2 with performances at 7:30 p.m., except on Aug. 2, which features a 2 p.m. show. Tickets are $18 for adults, $10 for students and $8 for children. Purchase tickets Monday-Friday, noon-5 p.m. at the McLeod Theater or SIU Arena box offices, by phone at 618/453-6000, or online at playhouse.siu.edu.
Here is a full cast list, by hometown.
Alto Pass: Keagan Schlosser as Brooke Wyndham, fitness guru and murder defendant.
Anna: Graham Gordon, ensemble; Anna Madura, ensemble.
Carbondale: Andrew Aaflaq, ensemble; Andrew Alstat, Emmett Forrest, law student and new love interest; Alexis Jones, feminist law student Enid Hoopes; Kylie Measimer, ensemble; Caroline Shaffer, ensemble; Samara Steinbock, ensemble; Elizabeth Tang, ensemble.
Carterville: Austin Behrens, ensemble; Alexa Boese, ensemble; Alexis Darnstaedt, ensemble; Bailee Endebrock, Elle Woods; Kaity Hixson, ensemble; Garrett James, ensemble; Lily Jones, Paulette Bonafonte, Elle’s hairdresser/manicurist friend.
Harrisburg: Brett Pinkerton, Elle’s scheming law professor.
Herrin: Emily Jabr, ensemble; Aliegha Ramos, Vivienne Kensington, Elle’s rival.
Johnston City: Samantha Blankenship, ensemble.
Marion: Molly Donahue, ensemble; Marcia Miller, Joyce Riley, prosecutor.
West Frankfort: Brax Melvin, Warner Huntington III, Elle’s narcissistic (ex)boyfriend.
Making a special appearance: Cricket Lynn Chaney as Bruiser Woods, Elle’s prized Chihuahua.