Presents
Music and Lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin Book by Heather Hach Based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture.
STARRING Anna Bucci
Jordon Taylor Rachelyn Primm
Kristin Lutzeier Michael Nedza
Christopher Roz Meghan Shanahan
FEATURING Tamara Anderson Brett Baleskie Tori Marie Cahn Ava Davis Cara Shareese Hall Alicia Hurtado Julia Kummerow Karl Lewandowski Dan Nevinger Omar Nunez Lindsay Prerost Scott Raap Caleb Scales Katelyn Thompson Brittany Vogel Produced by Diana Visk Multimedia Design by Micheal A. Kott
Lighting Design by Dante Orfei
Costume Design by Lindsay Prerost
Scenic Design by Michael Nedza
Choreography by Carlynn Zahn
Music Direction by John Warren
Directed by Dante Joseph Orfei
Legally Blonde the Musical Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019 Phone: 212-541-4684 Fax: 212-397-4684
www.MTIShows.com Legally Blonde 1
SET TING Legally Blonde takes place in and around the Delta Nu house, and the Harvard Law campus, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
MUSICAL NUMBERS ACT I “Overture”................................................................................................................................Orchestra “Omigod You Guys”........................................................... Elle, Margot, Serena, Pilar, Delta Nus “Serious”............................................................................................................................... Warner, Elle “Daughter of Delta Nu”.............................................................Serena, Margot, Pilar, Delta Nus “What You Want”..............................................Elle, Delta Nus, Grandmaster Chad, Ensemble “The Harvard Variations”..................................Emmett, Aaron, Padamadan, Enid, Students “Blood In The Water”...............................................................Callahan, Elle, Vivienne, Students “Positive”....................................................................................................Elle, Serena, Margot, Pilar, Greek Chorus, Vivienne, Warner “Ireland”.......................................................................................................................................Paulette “Ireland” (reprise).....................................................................................................................Paulette “Serious” (reprise)............................................................................................................. Warner, Elle “Chip On My Shoulder”.............................................................Emmett, Elle, Delta Nus, Warner “So Much Better”.......................................................................................... Elle, Warner, Ensemble ACT II “Entr’acte”................................................................................................................................Orchestra “Whipped Into Shape”..................................................... Brooke, Callahan, Warner, Ensemble “Delta Nu Nu Nu”...............................................................................................................Elle, Brooke “Take It Like A Man”.................................................................................. Elle, Emmett, Ensemble “Bend And Snap”..................................................................Elle, Paulette, Serena, Margot, Pilar “Gay Or European”....................................................................... Elle, Callahan, Emmett, Brooke, ............................................................................Vivienne, Warner, Enid, Nikos, Carlos, Ensemble “Legally Blonde”...............................................................................................................Elle, Emmett “Legally Blonde Remix”.................... Vivienne, Enid, Elle, Paulette, Kyle, Brooke, Ensemble “Find My Way/Finale”........................................... Elle, Paulette, Vivienne, Emmett, Ensemble There will be one 15 minute intermission. The use of flash photography and video recording devices without the written permission of the management is prohibited. Please remember to silence or turn off your cellular phones and other messaging devices.
2 Jedlicka Performing Arts Center
CAST Elle..........................................................................................................................................Anna Bucci Emmett............................................................................................................................ Jordon Taylor Paulette..........................................................................................................................Kristin Lutzeier Warner ........................................................................................................................ Christopher Roz Vivienne......................................................................................................................Rachelyn Primm Callahan.........................................................................................................................Michael Nedza Brooke....................................................................................................................Meghan Shanahan Serena............................................................................................................................Lindsay Prerost Margot.....................................................................................................................Cara Shareese Hall Pilar............................................................................................................................................ Ava Davis Enid................................................................................................................................... Brittany Vogal Kyle....................................................................................................................................Dan Nevinger Bruiser...................................................................................................................................................Gus Rufus............................................................................................................................................. Maggie Ensemble....................................................................................Tamara Anderson, Brett Baleskie, Tori Cahn, Alicia Hurtado, Julia Kummerow, Karl Lewandowksi, Omar Nunez, Scott Raap, Caleb Scales, Katelyn Thompson
L E G A L LY B L O N D E O R C H E S T R A Keyboard I............................................................................................................................ Joey Lugay Keyboard II.........................................................................................................................Bobby Dietz Keyboard III.......................................................................................................................... Sandy Lind Violin................................................................................................................................ Ayako Kikuchi Reed I......................................................................................................................... Tiffany Desmond Reed II.................................................................................................................................... Lara Regan Trumpet I............................................................................................................................Cyndi Salata Trumpet I........................................................................................................................ John Catomer Trombone........................................................................................................................Kaj Fagerberg Guitar......................................................................................................................................Ed Stauber Bass......................................................................................................................................Ben Dillinger Drums................................................................................................................................ Brent Roman
PROFILES Tamara Anderson (Delta Nu, Judge, and Ensemble) is excited to be making her JPAC debut in Legally Blonde. Performing on the Chicago Scene for almost 4 years, she’s an ensemble member of Greenetree productions, and has been seen in No Debt with Livewire Theatre, Faithfully with the Women’s Alliance Theatre, and performing with the Clark Johnson Orchestra among others. Not only a performer, she is very involved in the world of Pageantry and is the Illinois Director for the International Junior Miss Scholarship Program for young ladies ages 4-24 www.internationaljuniormiss.com. She would like to thank her husband, Marvin, for all of his continued love and support.
Brett Baleskie (Elle’s Dad, Ensemble) is so thrilled to be in Legally Blonde, and to be working with JPAC for the second time. He was last seen in JPAC’s production of Sunset Blvd., and has performed with several other theatre groups in the Chicago-land area! Recent credits include: Songs For a New World (Man 2), The Drowsy Chaperone (Robert Martin), RENT (Benjamin Coffin III), Children of Eden (Ham), Grease (Teen Angel/ Vince Fontaine), and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Leaf Coneybear). Brett is so thankful to the production team and cast for welcoming him in to this experience, to his friends and family for their love and support, and most importantly to God who has presented every opportunity. Legally Blonde 3
P R O F I L E S ( c o n t .) Anna Bucci (Elle Woods) this is Anna’s debut performance with JPAC, and she couldn’t be more thrilled to be part of such a talented cast! Anna just completed her freshman year as a Musical Theatre major at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC credits: Anything Goes, Ragtime). She is originally from Indiana, where she most recently seen as Penny in Star Productions’ 2011 production of Hairspray. Anna would like to thank the entire cast and crew for being so awesome. She would also like to give a HUGE thanks to her amazing parents and all her friends and family for being so supportive! “SNAPS! You guys rock!” Tori Marie Cahn (Margot u/s, Greek Chorus, D.A. Joyce Riley) is thrilled to be making her JPAC debut with Legally Blonde. Recent theatre projects include The Angel in LIBC: A Beatles Rock Opera (EPIC Theatre Co.); ensemble member in The Drowsy Chaperone (Elgin Community College); a Hot Box Dancer in Guys and Dolls (Summer Place Theatre) and Catherine in Pippin (School of Performing Arts), just to name a few. She would like to thank Dante, John, Carlynn, Diana and Keenan for their tireless efforts while working on this show! Being a part of this project has been an absolute joy and created a summer made to remember. Last, but certainly not least, she would like to thank her family, friends, rock star niece, Stella, and super cool nephew, Cooper, for the constant willingness to be on this wild, theatrical ride! Ava Davis (Pilar) is truly amazed to be back on the JPAC stage. Ava is blessed to be able to do what she loves once more and doesn’t take it for granted. A few credits
4 Jedlicka Performing Arts Center
include, Northwestern University’s American Musical Theatre Project: Not Wanted On the Voyage, Broadway in Chicago, and Glee Project season 1 top 20 semi-finalist. Ava loves being this character in all of her quirkiness. God is my everything and she thanks Him every chance she gets. Chocolate and pie is an addiction, which she is still seeking help with - ha! Special thanks to those in her life who forever render their unconditional love and support - it means more than you’ll ever know and I love you from the bottom to the top of my heart. Enough about me.... ENJOY THE SHOW! :) Cara Shareese Hall (Margot) is tickled pink to be a part of this Legally Blonde cast! Favorite regional credits include How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying (Hedy LaRue), Disney’s High School Musical (Sharpay), and Into the Woods (Little Red Riding Hood). University credits include Grease (Frenchy), Urinetown: The Musical (Little Sally), and How I Learned to Drive (Lil’ Bit). Cara has also performed with Navy Pier Entertainment and Dollywood Entertainment, where she has met and performed with Miss Dolly Parton on multiple occasions! By day, Cara is a dog-walking extraordinaire and proud dog-mom of one! Thanks to family, friends, and Chase for their endless love and support! www.carashall.com Alicia Hurtado (Leilani, Ensemble) is crazy pumped to be in her second JPAC production! You may have seen her in Sunset Boulevard. Recent credits include The Circus Princess – Chicago Folks Operetta, Christine in Phantom of the Opera – Fox Valley, Jane in The Women – Circle Theatre, Fredrika in A Little Night Music – Circle Theatre, and Anne in A Little Night Music – Tuesday’s Child. Alicia will be a BFA Musical Theatre Major at Millikin University in the fall.
P R O F I L E S ( c o n t .) Julia Kummerow (Elle’s Mom, Ensemble) has enjoyed life in the performing arts since she has spent time touring in Costa Rica, Rome, Italy, and numerous cities across the United States with Tremaine Performance Company. Julia has been a part of dance teams and competitions, where she choreographed numbers and routines, from high school to college. She has been in the Joffrey Ballet’s Nutcracker, Oprah’s 24th Season opening with Black Eyed Peas, Elements Contemporary Ballet, and now Legally Blonde: The Musical. She has enjoyed dancing all over the world, but her home is here in the Midwest. Julia’s passion is for performing.
Theater from the Chicago College of Performing Arts Theater Conservatory. She would like to thank her parents for all their love and support.
Karl Lewandowski (Winthrop, Ensemble) is excited to be working once again with the Jedlicka Performing Arts Center. Before moving to Cicero, Karl worked and performed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was there where he filled the shoes of Greg Sullivan in Rebecca Gilman’s Spinning Into Butter and helped produce one of his favorite plays by Sam Shepard, True West. Over the years Karl’s energy and curiosity for acting has grown exponentially. Some of his favorite past roles include Lee in True West, The Lion in The Wiz, George from Of Mice and Men, and Ali Hakim in Oklahoma! Karl would like to thank God, his family, the cast and crew, the director, and the audience for making this an exciting and entertaining experience.
Dan Nevinger (Kyle, Dewey, and Grandmaster Chad) is grateful to be making his Jedlicka Performing Arts Center debut with this sensational group of people. A native of the South Suburbs, Dan has been doing theatre in and around his community since he was very young. He was recently seen in Orland Park’s production of the King and I in the role of Lun Tha. He continues to explore his passion for musical theater and can’t wait for what’s to come. Other roles include George Bailey (It’s a Wonderful Life) The Grinch (The Grinch Who Stole Christmas) and Barbershop Quartet (The Music Man). He would like to thank his family and friends for all the love and support they have given him throughout his years.
Kristin Lutzeier (Paulette) is excited to return to JPAC as Paulette Buonufonte! She’s previously appeared as the Confidant in The Phantom of the Opera, the Housekeeper in Man of La Mancha, Joanna in Sunset Boulevard and Miss Skillon in See How They Run. Kristin holds a BFA in Musical
Michael Nedza (Callahan) is on faculty at Morton College and has been a regular actor at the JPAC. He was first seen by JPAC audiences in the role of David (Seesaw) back in 1988. Some of his favorite roles include, Rutledge (1776), Munoz (City of Angels), Peron (Evita), Billy Crocker (Anything Goes), Sheldrake (Promises, Promises), Mr. Laurence (Little Women) and Capt. Von Trapp (The Sound of Music).
Omar Nunez (Nikos, Ensemble) Omar Nunez is proud to be a part of JPAC’s production of Legally Blonde the Musical. Past productions include: Sunset Boulevard (Wunderkind), The Musical Murders of 1940 (Ken De La Maize), Black Comedy (Harold Gorringe), Bye Bye Birdie (Mayor), Once Upon a Legally Blonde 5
P R O F I L E S ( c o n t .) Mattress (Dream Prince), and The Nutcracker (Arabian). Omar would like to congratulate all the cast for their amazing talent and efforts which have made the show so wonderful and fun. I would also like to thank anyone who has helped me by giving me great advice, knowledge, and support. Lindsay Prerost (Serena, Dance Captain) is very happy to be back performing one of her favorite shows as one of her favorite characters. Previous shows include Oliver! (Nancy), All American (Homecoming Queen/Ens.), A Christmas Carol (Mrs. Fezziwig/Quartet), A Tale of Two Cities (Ens.), Hairspray (Brenda/ Hooker), Phantom of the Opera (Ballerina), Man of La Mancha (Fermina), Sunset Blvd. (Mary) & Handel’s Messiah Rocks! (Chorus). Lindsay is also a licensed cosmetologist and costumer and has the privilege of costuming this show! Lindsay thanks God and her family for their unconditional love and support! Rachelyn Primm (Vivienne Kensington) is delighted to return for her fourth show with JPAC. She has recently been seen as Betty Schaefer in Sunset Boulevard, Maria in Man of La Mancha, and in the ensemble of Phantom of the Opera. Other Chicago credits include The Mikado and The Sorcerer, both productions with The Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company. All of her love to God, to her family for their constant belief and support, hugs to her friends and to you for supporting the arts! Scott Raap (Lowell, Aaron Schultz, Ensemble) is debuting in his musical career TONIGHT in Legally Blonde! Being affiliated with the Illinois State Basketball program, his average 15 pts & 10 rebounds in his rec 6 Jedlicka Performing Arts Center
leagues games, is definitely not going to help him on stage tonight-- So be the first to enjoy this young, aspiring man on his quest to musical stardom! Christopher Roz (Warner Huntington III) is very excited to finally have the chance to play a typical jerk in Jedlicka’s Legally Blonde as Warner Huntington III. Christopher comes from the Midwest state of Iowa, and went to Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI where he studied music with a concentrate in vocal performance. In his Grand Rapids days, he played Matthew in Altar Boyz and Jeffery in Godspell. He moved on to the big city 2 ½ years ago, and has had the privilege to play Link in Hairspray, and Don in A Chorus Line. With that said, OH MY GOD YOU GUYS enjoy the show! Caleb Scales (Pforzheimer, Padamadan, Carlos, Guard) is very excited to appear in his first Chicago credit with the JPAC Theater. Caleb just recently graduated with his B.A. in Communications and is looking to continue his studies in Theatre Arts. He is new to theatre and has only just finished a three year stint in a small Drama/Improv troupe where he performed as the Foreman in 12 Angry Men and more recently as Judas in Godspell. His favorite role of all remains his 5th Grade debut as the fast-talking villain Freddy in a small production about Frosty the Snowman. Meghan Shanahan (Brooke Wyndham) Meghan is thrilled to be making her debut with Jedlicka Performing Arts Center this summer. A native of the Chicago Northwest Suburbs, Meghan has been doing theatre in the Chicago area since she was very young. Currently
P R O F I L E S ( c o n t .) studying Musical Theatre Performance at Western Michigan University, Meghan is entering her senior year this fall, and looks forward to playing the role of Ilse in her school’s production of Spring Awakening, as well as putting together her senior showcasea with the rest of her classmates. She hopes to move out to New York City next summer to start her career and continue performing. Favorite roles include: Ivy (Bare) Maureen Johnson (Rent) Mary Phagan (Parade) Columbia (The Rocky Horror Show) and Millie Dillmount (Thoroughly Modern Millie). She would like to thank her parents and her friends for their continued love and support. Jordan Taylor (Emmett Forrest) is excited to be making his JPAC debut! Chicago credits include Leaving Iowa (Don), Godspell (John the Baptist), and Twelve Angry Men (Number 10). Other favorite productions include Fiddler on the Roof (Motel Kamzoil), Pirates of Penzance (Fredrick), and A Christmas Carol (Young Scrooge). He has also spent time on multiple improv/sketch teams. Jordan would like to thank God first and foremost for His abundance of grace throughout this season of his life. He would also like to thank his family, who threw him onto the stage at a very young age, for all their love and support of the arts. James 1:2-7
Katelyn Thompson (Kate, Chutney) Legally Blonde is Katelyn’s second show with JPAC having previously appeared in their production of Sunset Boulevard last spring. Having recently moved to the Chicago area from Iowa, where she attended Iowa State University for Performing Arts, Katelyn is honored to be working with JPAC again as Kate/ Chutney in Legally Blonde. Other credits include: Sharpey in High School Musical II, Agnes/Hollywood Blonde in Gypsy!, Protean in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Cecily in The Importance of Being Earnest, Shirley in Fifth of July. Brittany Vogel (Enid Hoopes) is very excited to join the cast of Legally Blonde at JPAC. A native of Riverside, Brittany now lives on the north side of Chicago where she waitresses in addition to performing. Some of her favorite roles include Winnifred in Once Upon a Mattress, Anita in West Side Story and Cinderella in Into the Woods. Brittany would like to send love and thanks to her family and friends whose unwavering support makes life that much easier. Please head to www. brittanyvogel.com to stay up to date on Brittany’s upcoming projects.
C R E AT I V E S TA F F P R O F I L E S Dante J. Orfei (Director, Lighting Designer) has been the Artistic Director at the Jedlicka Performing Arts Center for over 25 years. He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and has produced and directed a travel documentary titled European Sojourn, which aired on PBS. Dante also directed the U.S. Premiere of the musical Metropolis and worked closely with the show’s creator, Academy and Grammy Award-winner Joseph Brooks on the development of the show. Dante directed the national regional theatre premiere of Brooks’
most recent Broadway show, In My Life. He has studied with Tony Award-winners Harold Prince and Jules Fisher. He directed the Midwest Regional Premiere of the Queen rock musical, We Will Rock You, and has also directed the World Premiere of Nefertiti – The Musical, as well as Premiere Chicago Productions of Little Women, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Aspects of Love, Blood Brothers, Jekyll and Hyde, The Baker’s Wife, and numerous plays by Olivier Award-winning playwright Ray Cooney, including the U.S. Premiere of Cooney’s It Runs in the Family. Dante has Legally Blonde 7
C R E AT I V E S TA F F P R O F I L E S ( c o n t .) directed well over 175 stage productions on the professional, dinner theatre and academic levels. John Warren (Music Director) recently musically directed Sunset Boulevard, and is excited to musically direct his third show at the JPAC theatre. No stranger to the JPAC stage, John has performed in both Phantom of the Opera and Man of La Mancha. Over this past year, John has been teaching music at Morton College, and he is excited to get a chance to work with a great group of musicians in Legally Blonde!! Michael Nedza (Scenic and Properties Designer/Technical Director) has been designing throughout the Midwest for over 25years. He has designed over 75 shows here at the JPAC. Some of the designs he is most proud of include, last season’s Sunset Boulevard, Phantom of the Opera, Hairspray, In My Life, We Will Rock You, Jekyll and Hyde, and 1776. Michael has been recognized twice with the “Award of Merit” from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. Carlynn Zahn (Choreographer), originally from Wisconsin, is happy to be working on her second show with Jedlicka Performing Arts. Recently she was seen on stage in the ensemble of Sunset Boulevard. Carlynn holds a BFA in Dance from Stephens College of Columbia, MO. As a choreographer, she has worked on shows such as The Wizard of Oz, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Producers, and Fame. She has also had a successful performing career in shows such as The Pajama Game, Crazy For You, Fiorello, and Rent. Although she loves to be on stage, Carlynn loves being behind the scenes just as much. She thanks JPAC for the fun opportunity and experience and looks forward to more in the future.
Lindsay Prerost (Costume Designer) is excited to be costuming her second show for JPAC, recently costuming Sunset Blvd. Lindsay is also the theatre assistant/ designer at Downers Grove North High School and has costumed 4 one act plays including Bus Riley’s Back in Town, Relative Strangers, Law and Order Fairytale Unit and A Backwards Fairytale. Lindsay has also designed hair and makeup for many shows including Grease, Phantom of the Opera and University of Chicago’s Nutcracker Ballet. Micheal Kott (Multimedia Design) has directed numerous plays and musicals both stateside and in Europe, including his critically acclaimed production of Murderer, by Anthony Shaffer. His JPAC directing credits include Doubt, Lilies of the Field and The Boys Next Door. Michael is also a veteran performer at the JPAC having been involved in 18 shows over the last 12 years. Among his favorites are Blood Brothers, Moonlight and Magnolias, Peter Pan, and Tuesdays with Morrie. He is very grateful to Dante Orfei for his friendship, support, encouragement and trust. Micheal played the scene-stealing Psychic in Brain Damaged Film’s 2008 release Secrets of the Clown, available at www. blockbuster.com! Micheal is the founding director of the Green Door Theatre in Garlstedt, West Germany. Currently he is the Artistic Director of Master’s Backstage Players in Carol Stream, Illinois. Micheal was also an ensemble member of Cenacle Theatre in Chicago, where he acted and directed numerous productions. Mike is the multimedia specialist for Morton College by day and at night divides his time among the various theatres in the Western Suburbs of Chicago. He is very thankful to Dr. Felicity Thoet for her guidance and direction. She is a wonderful director and I thank her for her knowledge.
T H E AT R E S TA F F Stage Manager.................................................................................................................Keenan Powell Box Office....................................................................................................................................Diana Visk Technical Crew.............................................................................Bryant Arteaga, Arthur Stepanek, Natalie Stepanek, Martin Vanegas Scenic Artist..................................................................................................................... Rebecca Primm Usher/Concessions..........................................................................................................Robert Jadach 8 Jedlicka Performing Arts Center