Centre Stage’s production of the musical “Legally Blonde” has become a big summertime hit, prompting the theater to add four additional performances.
“It’s really exciting,” said Laura Spencer Nicholas, Centre Stage’s managing artistic director. “The sales for this show have been something we haven’t seen since before the pandemic.”
“Legally Blonde” originally was set to close on June 9, but four shows have been added on June 13-16.
Based on the 2001 romantic comedy film, the musical “Legally Blonde” centers on a sorority queen, Elle Woods, who is obsessed with fashion and beauty. Elle gets dumped by her boyfriend and tries to win him back by following him to Harvard Law School, discovering some important things about herself in the process.
“It’s about a young girl finding her way in the world, finding her voice and her power, and believing in herself,” Nicholas said.
The fast-paced musical, which ran on Broadway from 2007 to 2008, features a peppy score by the husband-and-wife team of Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin.
Centre Stage’s first-time staging of the show spotlights a cast of 22 and — another first for Centre Stage — two dogs.
‘Upbeat show’
Nicholas attributes the production’s success to “Legally Blonde” being “a great, super-upbeat show with a very recognizable name.”
Some audience members have been showing up in pink — Elle Woods’ “signature color.”
The production reached ticket-sales targets almost a week before opening night on May 23.
The role of Elle Woods is a tour-de-force challenge for an actress, in this case Kelsey Olivia, a graduate of Anderson University.
“Legally Blonde” is a particularly ambitious musical for Centre Stage, an intimate theater with limited space on the sides and above the stage.
But it follows other big Centre Stage shows from previous seasons, such as “Once” and “Singing in the Rain.”
“I like to find shows that challenge us as an organization,” Nicholas said. “I knew we had the talent for this one. It’s a fun time for everyone.”
The production is directed by Christopher Rose, with choreography by Michael Cherry and music direction by Meghan Reimers.
The show is rated PG-13 for language and suggestive situations.
Want to go?
What: “Legally Blonde,” the musical
When: Through June 16
Where: Centre Stage, 501 River St., Greenville
Tickets: $33.50-$38.50
Info: 864-233-6733 or centrestage.org
