Baylor Theatre Presents: Legally Blonde the Musical

September 23, 2013
Sarah Beard

Lead actress Sarah Beard prepares for a photo shoot for Legally Blonde the musical. (Courtesy of Baylor Theatre)

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WACO, Texas (Sept. 23, 2013) - After months of planning, practicing and perfecting, it's finally here: Legally Blonde the musical.
Baylor Theatre presents Legally Blonde, the story of a bubbly Californian sorority queen who discovers her self-worth at Harvard Law School.
Director Stan Denman, Ph.D., chairman of the theatre department, lead actress Sarah Beard, a senior theatre performance major, as well as others involved in the production, have been rehearsing since Aug. 19.
Although Beard and the cast are prepared for opening night, she still feels nervous, she told the Baylor Lariat.
"I hit a high note, and it ends the whole Act One," Beard said. "It's this built-up moment that Elle goes through, and it's kind of a change in her life. So I think that moment, making sure I have enough stamina and enough breath . . . that is what I am most nervous for."
Senior Eliza Coleman, who helped create costumes for the show and made the second dress that Beard's character Elle Wood appears in, said Beard is "one of the most dedicated and hardworking people I know."
"I swear there's not an ounce of diva in her," Coleman said. "She's really committed to the show and to constantly improving her character, and it's definitely paying off. I've sat in a couple of rehearsals and she's doing an amazing job."
Tickets went on sale Sept. 10 for showings Sept. 25 through 29 and Oct. 2 through 6, but were sold out by the following Monday. And it's no surprise with excitement over the show bubbling across campus; more than 400 people have indicated on Baylor Theatre's Legally Blonde Facebook event page that they will be attending the musical.
"I have been waiting months for this!" said senior journalism major Mallory Olivier. "I was so excited I was third in line when the office opened for selling! I cannot wait to see this production next week and know this cast will exceed beyond expectations!"
But this isn't a play only women can enjoy.
"I like confident women so the character development of Elle Woods makes for a great story," said senior political science major Trenton Garza. "We see a woman whose sole self-value begins entirely vested in her boyfriend, and soon-to-be ex, Warner. But a strong will for what she wants leads her on a pursuit to reclaiming him and her feeling of purpose; through the obstacles she overcomes in her journey to prove to her that she is capable of greatness and worth far more than Warner ever gave her credit for."
Hoping to attend? You're in luck! Because of its popularity, an 11th showing has been scheduled for Oct. 1. Tickets will go on sale the night of Friday, Sept. 20; those who are already on the waiting list for tickets will be given priority. For more information and ticket reservations, call the Baylor Theatre box office at (254) 710-1865 or visit www.baylor.edu/theatre.
by Rachel Miller, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805
ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian university and a nationally ranked research institution, characterized as having "high research activity" by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The university provides a vibrant campus community for approximately 15,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating university in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 11 nationally recognized academic divisions. Baylor sponsors 19 varsity athletic teams and is a founding member of the Big 12 Conference.
ABOUT BAYLOR COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
The College of Arts & Sciences is Baylor University's oldest and largest academic division, consisting of 26 academic departments and 13 academic centers and institutes. The more than 5,000 courses taught in the College span topics from art and theatre to religion, philosophy, sociology and the natural sciences. Faculty conduct research around the world, and research on the undergraduate and graduate level is prevalent throughout all disciplines. Visit www.baylor.edu/artsandsciences.