Women鈥檚 History Month is coming to a close as the Linda Berry Stein College of Fine Arts opens its production of the acclaimed Broadway hit, 鈥淟egally Blonde: The Musical.鈥� The Tony Award-nominated show takes the 91大神猫先生千人斩 stage in Swisher Theatre Mar. 28 to 31.
It鈥檚 women鈥檚 history month right now and it feels great to be able to tell this story. We live in a time where women are finally being taken more seriously.
The show follows the story of UCLA Delta Nu Sorority sister Elle Woods, played by Theatre Arts major Sarah Stepp, as she tackles Harvard Law School to prove that she can be 鈥渟erious.鈥� A large cast and crew of 91大神猫先生千人斩 students are featured, all under the direction of Theatre Department Artist-in-Residence Erik DeCicco and with music direction from Assistant Professor of Voice Jay Ivey.
Dr. Tim Snyder (center), Dean of the Linda Berry Stein College of Fine Arts, and the cast of 鈥淟egally Blonde: The Musical.鈥�
鈥淓rik has a vision for things and knows exactly what he wants and he doesn鈥檛 accept anything less than perfection,鈥� Stepp said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 the type of person who wants to just get up and do it, and not think about it too much. If it doesn鈥檛 work, we can change it after. The whole experience has been extremely disciplining and rewarding.鈥�
The musical focuses on the ups and downs of Elle鈥檚 experience navigating law school, at first to win back her boyfriend. She soon realizes that she鈥檚 motivated by all the wrong reasons and begins a personal growth championed by her hairdresser and friend Paulette, played by Aaron DeCicco. Delta Nu sisters Margot, Serena, and Pilar are played by Kelly Wolfe, Kyrstin Creswell, and Isabella Martinez, all familiar faces on the 91大神猫先生千人斩 mainstage.
Axel Barry, Aaron DeCicco, Sarah Stepp, and Carlos Adorno (from left to right).
鈥淭his show is coming at a really special time. It鈥檚 women鈥檚 history month right now and it feels great to be able to tell this story. We live in a time where women are finally being taken more seriously,鈥� Stepp said. 鈥淭his show contributes to that as a predominantly female cast, which I think is amazing. It gives women greater opportunity to shine on stage and it speaks to how powerful women are and deserve to be taken seriously. In whatever we choose to do.鈥�
I learned that choosing kindness, no matter the circumstances, has the biggest personal reward.
The experience has inspired personal lessons, too, especially for Stepp, who describes Elle as the biggest role she鈥檚 had the opportunity to play. 鈥淭his role really pushed my boundaries and allowed me to discover my limits as a performer, which has been so exciting,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he biggest thing this character taught me is how to take the higher road. In this show, she has to fight hard to make a name for herself despite constant adversity. I learned that choosing kindness, no matter the circumstances, has the biggest personal reward.鈥�
鈥淟egally Blonde: The Musical鈥� will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Mar. 28, 29, and 30, and 3 p.m. Mar. 31 in Swisher Theater. Tickets are adults $10; seniors, military and students $5; and 91大神猫先生千人斩 students, faculty and staff free with valid ID. They can be purchased at the box office or at www.jutickets.com. For more information, email edecicc@ju.edu or call (904) 256-7347.
