Oswego Woman Making it in Chicago Musical Theater

Tiffany Topol has always dreamed of being on stage.

From 18 months old, when her parents first set her down in front of the television and MTV was on, the Oswego resident has been enthralled with music.

She started as any kid might, performing shows and concerts for family and friends in her living room. And then, when her grandfather became an usher at Drury Lane Theatre, Topol fell in love with live theatre and knew she wanted to be up there, too.

Now, this month, she’ll be performing in Marriott Theatre’s Legally Blonde: The Musical as Margot, one of main character Elle Woods’ best friends. Most have heard of Legally Blonde through the movie starring Reese Witherspoon.

“When I found out Marriott was doing this show, I knew I had to get in it,” laughed Topol, who was obsessed with the reality TV show that looked to find the next Elle Woods for Broadway. “It’s a wonderful, peppy, smart show,” she said.

Of her character, Margot, Topol described her as hilarious.

“In the movie she’s really ditzy and blonde, but has a big heart. I think they’ve taken that and flushed it out in the musical version. She’s not quite as dumb and has a heart of gold," she said.

This is not Topol’s first performance with Marriott. She also has performed in White Christmas, 42nd Street, How Can You Run With a Shell on Your Back?, Nunsense, Seussical, and The Wizard of Oz.

The Wizard of Oz is where Topol said she got her big break.

“I was involved in the McLeod Summer Playhouse in Carbondale and Rachel Rockwell, who’s now a huge director in Chicago, was there and was looking for an understudy for the Wizard of Oz she was directing at Marriott,” Topol explained. “I told her I would love to do it and got to play the Munchkin Mayor!”

After graduating from Oswego High School in 2003, Topol went on to Milikin University and upon graduation has called herself “very lucky and blessed.”

“I’ve had a few dry patches since I graduated college, but not enough to dampen my spirits,” she said of finding work as a theatre major.

She participated in “Xandu’s” first national tour and realized that “I could do this. I’ve made it this far and I can totally do it.”

Xanadu also offered Topol the chance to perform at Drury Lane Theatre, which sent home the message that she really was up on the stage that'd she always watched before.

Marc Robin is in charge of the choreography and also designed the moves for White Christmas, in which Topol recently performed.

“He’s a brilliant choreographer and kicked my butt in White Christmas," she said. “The dancing is just so energetic. I’ve started working out to keep up with it.”

Topol’s dream musical theatre performance would be to play the Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods or a part in Park with George.

She currently has about a year’s worth of shows line up, for which she was very grateful.

“Just have to keep working, keep living and keep being happy,” she said. “This is what I love to do.”

Someday Topol said she’d really love to get into television and film and even non-musical theatre.

“I moved to New York a while back, but then came back to Chicago rather quickly,” she said of finding theatre opportunities. “I just really love the theatre community here and want to stay involved.”

To see Topol and her fellow cast in Legally Blonde: The Musical, click on the Marriot Theatre’s website for show times and details. The preview show begins on Jan 18 and the show officially opens on Jan. 27.