FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Niki King
Public Relations Specialist
502-238-2711
nprice@jewishlouisville.org
Lenae McKee Price
CenterStage Development & Outreach Manager
502-238-2763
lprice@jewishlouisville.org
CenterStage kicks off 13/14 Season with Legally Blonde: The Musical
LOUISVILLE, KY (June 10, 2013) – CenterStage at the Jewish Community Center kicks of its 2013-14 season with sass and class, bringing the rollicking Tony Award-nominated musical Legally Blonde to the Linker Auditorium stage, (3600 Dutchmans Lane) July 11-21. The musical is presented by J Michael’s Salon and Spa and Physician’s Center for Beauty.
The show has music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin with book by Heather Hach, and is based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the 2001 film of the same name. It follows the escapades of Elle Woods, a sorority girl who pursues her ex-boyfriend to Harvard Law School, enrolls and then teaches that venerable institution a few legal fine points of her own. Jam-packed with moments both hilarious and heartwarming, the show features almost two dozen songs and dance numbers, including crowd favorites “Bend and Snap” and the jump rope extravaganza, “Whipped into Shape.”
Legally Blonde opened on Broadway in 2007 and its subsequent London production received the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical.
Directed by CenterStage Artistic Director John Leffert, with musical direction by Austin Clark and choreography by Frank Goodloe III, Legally Blonde features Kate E. Reedy (Narrator of last season’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) as Elle Woods, Mitch Donahue as Emmett Forrest, Lauren LeBlanc as Paulette, R. Wayne Hogue Jr. as Warner Huntington III, Meaghan Heit as Vivienne Kensington, CenterStage favorite Lauren McCombs as Brooke Wyndham and Artistic Director of Pandora Productions Michael Drury as Professor Callahan.
Leffert notes, “It has been exciting to work with this amazingly talented cast, where more than half are making their CenterStage debuts. The audience is going to adore this show which is sheer energy from start to finish.”
CenterStage will launch the new season with a party and preview of Legally Blonde at the JCC on Wed., July 10 beginning at 6 p.m. with a cocktail hour featuring an open bar, hors d’oeuvres, a best dressed contest, prizes and more. Attendees are invited to watch the final dress rehearsal beginning at 7 p.m., and at 9 p.m. there will be a cast meet and greet, highlighted by a “Bend and Snap” contest. Tickets for the preview and party are $30. Call 502-459-0660 or visit www.CenterStageJCC.org for reservations.
Legally Blonde performances are July 11, 13, 15, 18 and 20 at 7:30 p.m. and July 14 and 21 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Call 502-238-2709 or visit www.CenterStageJCC.org to reserve tickets for this summer treat!
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About CenterStage at the Jewish Community Center:
For almost 100 years, CenterStage has provided a venue for professional quality theater with broad cultural appeal. CenterStage offers a premier musical theater experience for the whole community, while also providing opportunities for children, adults and seniors to participate directly in all aspects of theatre – acting, singing, dancing, set and costume construction, marketing, education and more. Audiences and cast members are racially, culturally and religiously diverse, representing the community at large.
Inspired by Artistic Director John R. Leffert, each season CenterStage embarks on ambitious productions of popular Broadway shows with visually stunning sets and costumes, amazing talent and music that will move you. Our mission is to provide consistent quality theater to patrons, and present works of Jewish interest with broad cultural appeal. Sell-out audiences tell us that we’re honoring that tradition and creating a new generation of theatre-goers.
“A CenterStage season ticket is arguably the best bargain in town, offering Broadway quality productions and an eclectic repertoire.” – Anne Fox Miller, CenterStage Season Subscriber
About CenterStage Artistic Director, John R. Leffert:
John R. Leffert has been with CenterStage for 14 years. He has worked professionally as a director, designer and actor in the Louisville area for the past 20 years. John has directed and/or designed locally for UofL’s Opera Theatre, Belknap Theatre, Mummers and Minstrels, Not Ready for Shakespeare Players, Story Station Children’s Theatre and Derby Dinner Playhouse. He has also served as a staff director for the Heritage Repertory Theatre in Virginia where he also has performed. John has appeared locally at Derby Dinner Playhouse, Actors Theatre, Story Station Children’s Theatre, CenterStage and Music Theatre Louisville. He holds an MFA in Costume and Scenic Design from UofL and a BFA in Vocal and Instrumental Music Education from Western Kentucky University. Prior to a professional career in theatre, John taught public school for nine years.
Interviews will be available as well as high-resolution photos one week before the show opens.
