LEGALLY BLONDE Opens 8/24 at Cecil College

The hit musical about a Southern California sorority girl who travels across the country to Harvard Law School is coming to the Milburn Stone Theatre on Cecil College's North East campus, where "Legally Blonde" will be presented Aug. 24, 25, 26 and 31, and Sept. 1 and 2.

Nominated for seven Tony Awards, and based on the hit Reese Witherspoon movie of the same name, "Legally Blonde" is the story of Elle Woods, played by Sam Emerson of Towson, Md.; the quintessential Valley girl who realizes she has more to offer than just a pretty face and a bubbly personality. After her good-looking, but pompous, boyfriend, Warren Huntington III, played by Russell Matthews of North East, Md.; dumps her because she is not serious enough, she follows him to Harvard and talks her way into being admitted.

Guided by Harvard Alum Emmett played by Anthony Vitalo of Newark, Del, and her Greek chorus of Delta Nus – Margot, played by Sydney Hastain of Middletown, Del.; Serena, played by Megan Valle of Bel Air, Md.; Pilar, played by Tiara Whaley; Kate, played by Sarah Sickles of Belcamp, Md.; Gaelen, played by Jennifer Huovinen of Bel Air, Md.; and Leilani, played by Colleen Scott of New Castle, Del. – Elle climbs up the rungs of Harvard Law to prove her seriousness. While studying at Harvard, she encounters the pompous and manipulative Professor Callahan, played by Chris Cahill of Aberdeen, Md. Featuring hit songs "Oh My God, You Guys," "Legally Blonde," and "So Much Better," being true to yourself will never go out of style.

The cast of nearly 40 performers received firsthand advice from Nikki Snelson, the original Brooke Wyndham from the Broadway production of "Legally Blonde." Snelson conducted a private workshop, and she and Ben Cameron, who was part of the original casts of Broadway's "Wicked," "Footloose" and "Aida;" critiqued each performer.

"The workshop was wonderful," said Bambi Nelson, general manager of the Milburn Stone Theatre. "The advice Nikki and Ben gave was some of the best we've ever heard."

Nelson, Cameron and members of the local community helped select who would play the two four-legged roles. With more than two dozen dogs auditioning for the honors, it was determined that Diva, a 9-year-old Miniature Pinscher owned by Alicia Fencer of Wilmington, Del., will play Bruiser, while Summit, a 5-year-old Great Dane owned by Jenny Pfieffer of North East, Md., will play Rufus.

The show is directed by S. Lee Lewis, Producing Artistic Director of the Milburn Stone Theatre and has choreography by Bambi Johnson, and musical direction by Marji Eldreth.  Written by Heather Hatch, with music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe, "Legally Blonde" begins at 8 p.m. Aug. 24, 25 and 31 and Sept. 1, and at 3 p.m. Aug. 26 and Sept. 2. Tickets, which are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors, $10 for children 12 and younger, and $5 for college students with a valid ID, can be purchased by phone at 410-287-1037, at the Milburn Stone Theatre box office, or online at www.milburnstone.org. The box office, located at One Seahawk Drive at Cecil College in North East, Md., is open from noon to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.