Danbury's Musicals At Richter Kicks Off 34th Season Under The Stars With LEGALLY BLONDE

Musicals at Richter (MAR), celebrating its 34th season as the longest-running outdoor theater in Connecticut, kicks off the summer with "Legally Blonde," the effervescent and wildly upbeat musical based on the popular 2001 film comedy starring Reese Witherspoon. Staged on the grounds of the Richter Arts Center in Danbury, performances take place outdoors under the stars Friday through Sunday evenings at 8:00 p.m., with additional specially discounted performances on Thursday, July 5 and 12. There is no show on Friday, July 13.

Dubbed "a high-energy hymn to the glories of girlishness" by the New York Times, this big, heroine-worshiping musical follows sorority girl and fashionista Elle Woods as she upends her life and enrolls at Harvard Law School to win back her ex-boyfriend, Warner. While at Harvard, she struggles with peers, professors and her ex. With the support of some new friends, Elle quickly realizes her potential and sets out to prove herself to the world. Throughout this journey of self-discovery, Elle is transformed as she tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams.

With a book by Heather Hach and an infectious pop score by Laurence O'Keefe ("Heathers," "Batboy: The Musical") and Nell Benjamin, the show enjoyed successful Broadway and West End runs, along with two National tours and numerous international productions. Songs include: "Omigod You Guys," "There! Right There!" "What You Want," "So Much Better," and "Bend and Snap."

Directed for MAR by Artistic Director Lauren Nicole Sherwood (Stamford), the show features a cast of talented local performers, including many newcomers and MAR veterans. Melody Atkinson (Hartford) stars as Delta Nu sorority sister and ultimate Valley Girl Elle Woods. Chris Balestriere (Norwalk) portrays Warner Huntington, Elle's ambitious ex-boyfriend; Voni Kengla (Hartford) plays Vivienne, Warner's new girlfriend and Elle's initial nemesis at law school.

Stephen Emerick (Stamford) plays Emmett, the smart and kind-hearted law school teaching assistant who helps Elle and eventually falls in love with her. Bill Warncke (Norwalk) is the pompous and manipulative Professor Callahan, the most feared professor at Harvard Law School. Maiya Urquhardt (Fairfield) plays Elle's Harvard classmate Enid Hoopes, an activist and ardent feminist.

Aaron-Noel Treppeda (Poughquag, NY) is Paulette Bonafonte, a brash but caring local salon owner who befriends Elle; Matthew Blank (Stamford) and Matthew Farina (Danbury) alternate in the role of Kyle, the sexy UPS delivery man who captures Paulette's heart.

Janina Rosa (Brewster, NY) takes on the role of Brooke Wyndham, a famous fitness video guru on trial for killing her husband and for whom Elle and her classmates are enlisted to help defend.

Sarah Baker (Danbury), Margaret Buzak (Southbury), Kate Patton (Danbury) and Jean Marie McGrath (Naugatuck) portray Margot, Serena, Pilar and Kate, Elle's college best friends and fellow Delta Nu sorority sisters.

Featured in a variety of ensemble roles are: Maddy Oldham and Daisy Stott (Brookfield); Caitlin Burke, Renee Cunningham, Robert Fontenelli, Vincent Fontenelli, Abby Giansiracusa, Andrew Kocur, Rob Mayette, Alysia Ross and Jenna Vieux (Danbury); Will Armstrong (Greenwich); Haley Huxley (Hartford); Jean Marie McGrath (Naugatuck); Will Dooley (New Canaan); Sarah Brundage and Dolly Conner (New Fairfield); Kevin McNulty and Daniel Pettibone (New Milford); Robert Bria (Redding); Ethan Beaulac (Ridgefield); Madeline de la Parra (Sherman); and Monica Castillo (Stamford). New York State residents Emma Lubbers (Mahopac), Emily Malavenda (Somers) and Joe Riedel (Croton-on-Hudson) round out the cast.

Heading up the "Legally Blonde" creative team as director and set designer is Lauren Nicole Sherwood (Stamford), now in her 5th year as MAR Artistic Director. She directed last season's "Seussical" and portrayed Anita in MAR's critically acclaimed production of "West Side Story." An accomplished performer, director, choreographer and costume designer, Sherwood earned her B.F.A. from University of Arizona and an M.F.A. from Florida State University, both in Theater Management.

Sherwood is joined by veteran musical director and conductor Zachary Kampler (Hastings-on-Hudson, NY). A professor at Westchester Community College, Kampler is the Music Director of the Sound Beach Community Band and Conductor for Saint Catherine's Players in Greenwich. Kampler has served as Music Director for Staples Players, Bedford Acting Group, Weston High School Company, Binghamton University Theater Department and the Boys & Girls Club Theater Program. He has also conducted The Connecticut Little Symphony, Nickel City Opera, and Crystal Opera, in addition to holding the position of Assistant Conductor with the Stamford Young Artists Philharmonic, Tri-Cities Opera, and Sarasota Opera. A Westport native and graduate of the Juilliard Pre-College Program, Kampler holds a B.A. in Music from New York University and earned an M.M. in Orchestral Conducting with a concentration in Opera, from SUNY Binghamton.

Handling choreography duties for "Legally Blonde" is Matthew Farina (Danbury). An elementary educator and in-demand director/choreographer, Farina most recently directed and choreographed MAR's productions of "Hairspray" and "Footloose." He has also directed and choreographed numerous award-winning productions at Immaculate High School in Danbury.

The "Legally Blonde" production team also includes David Mercier (Newtown) as stage manager, Molly Farrell-Savage (New York, NY) as costume designer, Michael Campbell (Brewster, NY) as lighting designer, Jose Alves (Danbury) as sound designer, and Joyce Northrop (Danbury) as producer.

Following "Legally Blonde" is the perennial family favorite "Annie," directed by MAR Founding Artistic Director Bradford Blake (Danbury) and playing July 27-August 11. For complete details on Musicals at Richter's season, daytime Fairy Tale Theater program for children and young people's musical theater workshop offerings, visit www.musicalsatrichter.org.

Main stage musical performances are Friday through Sunday evenings at the Richter Arts Center (next to the Richter Park Golf Course, I-84, Exit 2), 100 Aunt Hack Road, in Danbury. Tickets for "Legally Blonde" are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and students (with ID), and $15 for children 10 and under. For the additional Thursday performances on July 5 and 12, tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and students, and $10 for children 10 and under. Tickets may be purchased through the Musicals at Richter website (www.musicalsatrichter.org) or at the door.

Grounds open at 7:00 p.m. for picnicking, with curtain at 8:00 p.m. (please note earlier curtain time). Guests are invited to bring chairs and blankets for lawn seating; a limited number of chairs are available free of charge by the concessions at the park. Group rates are available with advance reservation; a soft drink/snack concession is also on-site.

About Musicals at Richter: Nestled in the hills of Western Connecticut, the Arts Center stage has served as the scenic backdrop for over 95 musicals produced by Musicals at Richter, as well as a professional springboard for hundreds of up-and-coming performers. Musicals at Richter is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization run by volunteers. For further information, visit the website at www.musicalsatrichter.org, leave a message at 203-748-6873 or e-mail info@musicalsatrichter.org.

To post a comment, you must register and login.