Harvard University Comes to Camden County College as Mainstage Presents Legally Blonde

The international award-winning sensation, Legally Blonde the Musical, brings sorority sweetheart Elle Woods to Camden County College. Presented by Mainstage Center for the Arts, the musical is based on the hit movie Legally Blonde, which starred Reese Witherspoon. It runs November 18-20 at Camden County College’s Dennis Flyer Theater.

In Legally Blonde, UCLA homecoming queen Elle Woods, portrayed by Lindsay Deal of Gloucester Township, is dumped by her boyfriend Warner (Derek Puyat of Blackwood), for not being serious about her future. She picks up her books and follows Warner to Harvard to prove she can be a success. Elle realizes her full potential with the help of friends Margot (Natalie Wrigley of Gloucester Township), Serena (Ashley Neilio of Magnolia), and Pilar (Corinne Palacio of Gloucester Township), who follow her in spirit, along with her new friends, Paulette the beautician (Meghan Kennedy of Deptford), and Emmet (Bill Zeoli of Stratford), Harvard teaching assistant.

She faces challenges along the way from the likes of Professor Callahan (Fyar Kabia of Gloucester Township) and nemesis Vivienne (Emily Marie Lewis of Northfield). However, she remains kind and true to herself at all times. Elle even creates a strong defense for Brooke Wyndham (Cassie Matteo of Laurel Springs), an exercise video star accused of murder.

“There’s something so wonderful about Elle’s spirit. To play someone who always sees the good in everyone is just a dream to me. I’ve wanted to play this part for a long time. Elle is so positive, which has helped me be positive as well,” said Deal.

Deal is a senior who will complete her BFA in acting from Arcadia University in 2017. She last performed with Mainstage in Little Shop of Horrors as Audrey in November 2015.

Most of the same directing team from Little Shop has returned for Legally Blonde. Francine Odri of Lumberton directs, Grace Szczepkowski of Marlton is the assistant director and choreographer, Stephanie Filippo of Gloucester Township is the stage manager, and Jillian Clark is music director. Odri is a graduate of Drew University with a BA in Theatre and seasoned Mainstage Center for the Arts’ director.

“This is a show we’ve wanted to do for a while,” said Odri. “As women building our careers, all of us connect with Legally Blonde. "It's a really fun, energetic show, but it also brings up issues women face daily in a way that we hope will leave audiences thinking long after they leave the theater!"

Adding to the audience enjoyment are two delightful pooches, Jaxx, who portrays Bruiser, Elle’s Chihuahua and Jack Palacio, who plays Rufus, Paulette’s bulldog.

Additional featured cast members include: Savannah Barr, Kristin Bassi, Anaya Colon, Emily Cozzone, Carleigh Cusick, Laura DiStefano, Nicole Duffy, Brielle Hina, Beth Incollingo, Brielle Johnson, Courtney LeMasney, Annie Locke, Stephanie Masapollo, Rachel Maselek, Cassie Matteo, Claire McDermott, Lauren Morgan, Diana Pinolini, Maya Rodgers, Melody Rossiter, Daninne Sargent, Allison Schwarz, Allison Shapiro, Jade Wesley, Cole Williams, Emily Williams, Chenoa Yell, Andrew Bank, Chris Giacobbe, Fyar Kabia, Dylan Odri, Gavin Petersen, Jeffrey Redwanowski, and Colin Shea.

Additional staff include: Lexi Schreiber, assistant choreographer and assistant vocal director; Anastasia Culin; additional choreography; and interns Salma Elwy and Madison Strockbine.

Legally Blonde the Musical is sponsored by the Cordasco Financial Group, Inc. and the Y.A.L.E. School. Performances are November 18 and 19, 7:30 p.m. and November 20, 2:00 p.m., in the newly renovated Dennis Flyer Theater, Lincoln Hall, Camden County College, Blackwood, NJ. For tickets, visit www.mainstage.org or call (855) 936-2467, ext 3. Group rates are available.

Mainstage Center for the Arts, the parent program for Summer Stage, is a 501 © (3) non-profit performing arts organization committed to providing a creative, vibrant, and nurturing environment for youth and adults since 1989. Using the performing arts as a catalyst for individual expression and growth, Mainstage enriches the quality of life for its South Jersey community.

This program is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts and by funds from the National Endowment for the Arts.