Pittsburgh CLO's LEGALLY BLONDE Opens Today

Do blondes really have more fun? Audiences will soon find out at Pittsburgh CLO's production of Legally Blonde The Musical, June 13-22 at the Benedum Center. This mega movie hit will be brought to life by a cast of Broadway's best and Pittsburgh CLO veterans. Watch as Elle Woods takes over the stage with her vivacious personality and a score sure to please.

It's here, and it's "AN ELLE OF A SHOW" (TIME Magazine). Based on the hilarious MGM film, Legally Blonde: The Musical follows sorority star Elle Woods, an underestimated blonde who doesn't take "no" for an answer. When her boyfriend dumps her for someone more "serious," Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and sets out to go where no Delta Nu has gone before: Harvard Law. Along the way, Elle proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style. This musical juggernaut features such instant classics as "Omigod You Guys," "Bend and Snap, "Take It Like a Man" and more!

Kathleen Elizabeth Monteleone (Elle Woods) most recently played Heather Stovall in Broadway's Hands on a Hardbody, a role she originated in the musical's premiere at La Jolla Playhouse. Other credits include Dede Halcyon-Day in Tales of the City (American Conservatory Theater), the national tour of Legally Blonde: The Musical (Elle Woods); Sophie in Departure Lounge (SPF) and Amber in Hairspray (Paper Mill Playhouse). Screen credits include NBC's Grease: You're the One That I Want (Spiritual Sandy) and the film 27 Dresses. KathleenMonteleone.com

Annie Funke (Enid) appeared on the Broadway stage in Hairspray. Wicked, San Francisco. Off-Broadway: If There Is I Haven't Found It Yet, opposite Jake Gyllenhaal (Lucille Lortel Award); Silence! The Musical. Regional: Kennedy Center, Studio Theatre, STAGES St. Louis, MTW, Riverside Theatre, Casa Manana, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma. Annie is a graduate of the Steppenwolf School in Chicago and the University of Oklahoma.

Lara Hayhurst (Margot) recently played April in Pittsburgh Public Theatre's Company, and then made her Broadway debut this March working on Lady Day starring Audra McDonald. Other recent 'Burgh credits include Maria in The Sound of Music and Elle in Legally Blonde, both with Pittsburgh Musical Theater. Larahayhurst.com.

Jeff Howell (Dad/Winthrop) was recently seen in By the Way Meet Vera Stark (REP). Pittsburgh CLO shows include 42nd Street, Sunset Boulevard, Jesus Christ Superstar, Jekyll and Hyde, A Musical Christmas Carol (Bob Cratchit), Beauty and the Beast, Bells are Ringing, Pajama Game, The Most Happy Fella. Other credits include Candide, Tigers Be Still, Chicago, and Tribute to Lerner and Loewe with Marvin Hamlisch and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

Ken Land (Callahan) last appeared in Pittsburgh CLO's production of Singin' in the Rain. Broadway/Off-Broadway/Tours: Promises, Promises, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Victor/Victoria, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Legally Blonde, The Gig, Little Shop of Horrors, Sweet Charity, The Secret Garden, Evita. Regional: MUNY, Portland Center Stage, Old Globe, Goodspeed, Indiana Rep, Maine State, etc. Television: "Boston Legal," "Six Feet Under," "Law & Order(s)," "Malcolm in the Middle," "Judging Amy," "The District," "Crossing Jordan," "Star Trek: Voyager," "Strong Medicine."

Courtney Markowitz (Vivienne) returns to Pittsburgh CLO after appearing in The Pajama Game and Oliver! Broadway: Jekyll & Hyde. National tours: Jekyll & Hyde, Spring Awakening (Ilse). Regional credits include Lizzie (Alice) - TUTS Underground; Oliver! (Rose Seller) - Pittsburgh CLO; All Shook Up (Miss Sandra), Joseph and Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Artpark. BFA from Elon University and a Pittsburgh CLO Academy Alumni.

Jeff McLean (Warner) was a member of the original cast of the Las Vegas production of Spamalot. Played Warner Huntington III in the First National Tour of Legally Blonde The Musical. Was a swing in the original musical Tales of the City in San Francisco with the American Conservatory Theatre. And played the role of Clifford Bradshaw in Jason Alexanders Reprise Theatre Company's production of Cabaret.

Mamie Parris (Paulette) performed last year in Pittsburgh CLO's Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Milly), and in the national tours of 9 To 5 (Judy) and Legally Blonde! Other Broadway/National Tour: Wicked (Elphaba), Ragtime, The Drowsy Chaperone, 110 In The Shade. Off-Broadway: See Rock City (Dodi/Lily). Regional: Goodspeed, The Muny, Pittsburgh CLO. www.mamieparris.com

Matthew Scott (Emmett) appeared on Broadway in Sondheim on Sondheim (cast album), Jersey Boys, A Catered Affair. Pittsburgh CLO; Sunset Boulevard (Joe Gillis), LES MISERABLES (Marius), 1776 (Courier), Swing! (Male Diva 2). Regional: La Jolla Playhouse, Old Globe, Signature Theatre, Goodspeed, Kennedy Center, Paper Mill Playhouse, Alliance Theatre, Philadelphia Theatre Co., The Muny, The O'Neill. Recordings: Jerome Kern: The Land Where the Good Songs Go, and Noel and Cole. CMU Grad.

Sarrah Strimel (Brooke) is a Pittsburgh CLO alum who has performed on Broadway in: Big Fish (The Girl In the Water), The Producers, Young Frankenstein, Rock Of Ages, Catch Me If You Can. National Tours/Regional incl.,Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Sweet Charity(Charity), CATS (Bombalurina), Lil Abner (Stupyfyin' Jones), Sammy (Hedda Hopper). TV: "SMASH", "Late Show with David Letterman."

Brinie Wallace (Serena) will make her debut with Pittsburgh CLO in Legally Blonde. She just completed her sophomore year at Penn State. This May she did the reading/workshop of the Broadway Revival, The Me Nobody Knows (Stafford Arima, Bryan Perri and Taye Diggs) in NYC.

Legally Blonde: The Musical is complete with a talented ensemble, including Pittsburgh CLO veterans Lindsey Bracco, Lucas Fedele, Michael Greer, Chris Laitta, Stephanie Maloney and Mara Newbery.

Charley Repole (Director) directed numerous Pittsburgh CLO productions such as: 42nd Street, Jesus Christ Superstar, Annie Get Your Gun, Curtains, White Christmas, Annie, Copacabana and Carousel. NYC/Broadway: Dubarry was a Lady, Call Me Madam, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, The Lauri Strauss Leukemia Foundation Benefit (Carnegie Hall) and Lyrics and Lyricists 25th Year Celebration (92nd Street "Y"). Kennedy Center: Where's Charley? Broadway performance credits: Doubles, Whoopee! and Very Good Eddie (Tony nomination, Theatre World Award). Mr. Repole is Chairman of the Drama, Theatre and Dance Department at Queens College.

Jonathan Stahl (Choreographer) is a native Pennsylvanian happy to be back at PCLO where, as performer, he was in Oliver! and Joseph ... Technicolored Dreamcoat. He has directed and choreographed at Westchester Broadway Theatre -- Nine starring Bob Cuccioli, Legally Blonde andThe Sound of Music. As choreographer he has worked on Phantom at WBT, and various concert dance pieces. He still enjoys mixing his passion for performing with directing/choreographing which he as done as an associate director/choreographer for the past 10 years for Richard Stafford. He recently created his own cabaret show, Threw the Rainbow.

Tom Helm (Music Director) returns for his 19th season with Pittsburgh CLO. His theater credits include the Broadway productions of Souvenir, LES MISERABLES, Me and My Girl, Cats and Brigadoon. He has also contributed his talents to television programs such as "Crazy For You" and the "Today Show." Mr. Helm has conducted at Radio City Music Hall, Paper Mill Playhouse and many other regional and national theaters.

Andrew David Ostrowski (Lighting Designer) recently completed work on Hope and Gravity at City Theatre and Pittsburgh CLO's own Ring of Fire at the CLO Cabaret. He has designed for every local company in Pittsburgh. National credits include: The Asolo, Virginia Stage Company, North Shore Music Theatre, Merrimack Reparatory Company, The Arden Theatre Company, Spoleto Festival USA, Dallas Summer Musicals, Theater of the Stars, Madison Opera, as well as others. International credits include productions in Ireland, Scotland, Sweden, France, and touring all of Western Europe.

Legally Blonde originated as a novel, by Amanda Brown, who turned her law school discrepancies into a must-read. Several years later, the book hit the silver screen in 2001 and became an instant mega hit, starring Reese Witherspoon.

Legally Blonde: The Musical opened on Broadway April 29, 2007 at the Palace Theatre. Shortly after, the musical was broadcast on MTV in conjunction with the MTV show 'Legally Blonde - the Search for Elle Woods.' The musical won three Laurence Olivier Awards including Best New Musical, as well as Best Actress in a Musical for Sheridan Smith and Best Supporting Performance in a Musical for Jill Halfpenny.

The Broadway production closed on October 19, 2008. The First National Tour opened to great success in the same year. Currently, the show has launched several tours worldwide, including the UK, Australia and New Zealand, and recently premiered to sold-out audiences at the Ronacher Theatre in Vienna, Austria.

Tickets are available online at pittsburghCLO.org, by calling 412-456-6666 or at the Box Office at Theater Square. Groups of 10 or more enjoy exclusive discounts and specialty packages. Call our Group Sales Hotline at 412-325-1582 for more information. Visit pittsburghCLO.org for further information.

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