Pelham Teen to Perform in Broadway Workshop Production of 'Legally Blonde' This Weekend

Anyone who catches the Broadway Workshop's production of “Legally Blonde: The Musical,” can be assured that their minds aren’t playing tricks on them.

There is a reason why the characters of the inmate, that perfume girl, the district attorney harvard student looks familiar.  They are all played by Margie Gilland, a 15-year-old sophomore at Pelham Memorial High School.

Gilland beat out more than 200 teens for a part in the show.  Two casts of 25 were selected from that pool of talent to eventually put on four performances. The show will run Friday through Sunday at the Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater in New York City.

Marc Tumminelli, the show's director, said Gilland’s singing ability and ‘wonderful spirit’ made her a natural for the show.

“Margie has been part of the Broadway Workshop family for years,” said Tumminelli. “ For the last few summers, Margie has been a Vocal Major in our  Excel Teen Intensive. I have a really good sense of who she is and her talent.  I was thrilled to see that she was auditioning for our production of Legally Blonde and even more excited were able to offer her a role in the show.”

Gilland said she became interested in performing on stage after her mother, Marianne, put her in dance classes when she was in elementary school. The seed was planted and evolved into something Gilland does all year round.

“I love singing and dancing and just being on stage, performing,” Gilland said. “I love being of a lot of people and having character to perform.”

Gilland workload has gradually increased to the point where she is trying to do six shows a year. In order to do this, she’s had to learn how to juggle her work in the high school, where she takes honors classes, with her social life.

Since February, Gilland and the rest of the Legally Blonde cast have had six-hour rehearsals on Saturdays and Sundays. Gilland also spent an additional  30 minutes a day going over lines.

“You only have so many hours each day and I have to use them wisely,” Gilland said. “I realize that there is not as much time for friends or being social. I’d love to do even more shows, but I realize that’s hard.”

Next up for Gilland is a role as Ulla in a production of the “The Producers, ” which is being put on by the Westchester Sandbox Theatre in Mamaroneck. Show dates have yet to be announced.

Based on the book by Amanda Brown, Broadway Workshop's “Legally Blonde: The Musical” is the first New York production of the show since its Broadway run in 2007. For showtimes and  ticket information, visit www.BroadwayWorkshop.com.

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