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Arts & Entertainment

Legally Blonde Opens Northbrook Children's Theater Season

Performances of Legally Blonde start in December at the Northbrook Theatre.

The Northbrook Park District is tickled pink to present the sassy and sweet Legally Blonde, to kick off the 2012-13 Children’s Theatre season. Based on the book and film of the same name, the musical is a romantic comedy about a ditzy blonde “Valley girl” who follows an ex-boyfriend to Harvard Law School and discovers she’s much smarter than she or anyone thought.

“I chose this show because the young actors in Northbrook have been asking for it,” says Gregg Dennhardt, Performing Arts Manager for the Northbrook Park District, the producing organization. “Many of them have seen the movie and enjoyed it. The production has a variety of good, strong roles and combines a catchy and clever score with humor that adults and children can enjoy.”

The award-winning Northbrook Theatre Children's Company has presented theatre by youth for youth for more than 30 years. Rehearsals for Legally Blonde began in September and Dennhardt is impressed by the young talent.

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“OMG, as they say in the show. There is a lot of good talent. There are some great singing voices and amazing acting," Dennhardt said. "The kids are so enthusiastic, their energy is infectious. The dance moves are what they love to do. They’re practicing the songs at home on YouTube. This is the kind of part that kids like to play, because they can identify with college kids. It’s going to be fun. It’s going to be great!"

Students will present the musical over two weekends in December, with three separate casts. The main characters include Elle Woods, her ex-boyfriend, future boyfriend, professors, UPS delivery man, beautician and yoga instructor. The production also calls for two small dogs, Bruiser and Rufus. The cast members’ own dogs will audition for those parts.

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“Over the years, we’ve had thousands of kids go through our program,” Dennhardt adds. “Some have become successful actors on stage, on television and in commercials. I’ve gone to see local high school productions, and many of the cast members were performers who came through the ranks here. A lot of high school kids are still with us. The Children’s Company is a place to have fun, learn about the theatre and understand the value of teamwork. No matter what these kids end up doing, their communication skills and self-confidence will improve.”

Performances of Legally Blonde are on Saturday, Dec. 8 and 15 at 12:30 and 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 16 at 12:30 and 4:00 p.m. at the Northbrook Theatre, 3323 Walters Avenue in Northbrook. Tickets are $8-10.

For more information, call the Performing Arts Office at 847∙291∙2367 or visit northbrooktheatre.org.

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