Elle Woods steps into the spotlight

FOOTLIGHT Productions will return to the Geelong Arts Centre stage this month with the feel-good musical Legally Blonde, bringing the much-loved story of Elle Woods to life in a high-energy show.

Based on the hit film, Legally Blonde follows Elle Woods, a fashion-loving sorority queen whose world is turned upside down when her boyfriend dumps her to attend Harvard Law School.

Determined to win him back, Elle charms her way into the prestigious university, only to discover her own potential along the way.

The musical will enjoy an 11-show run between January 16 and January 31, and features a cast of 38 performers from Geelong and surrounding towns. Morgan Dooley-Axup leads the cast as Elle Woods.

“This is a dream show, a dream role,” she said. “It’s an absolute bucket list experience.”

She believes the enduring appeal of Legally Blonde related to its themes of empowerment and individuality.

“I think the underlying themes and morals will always stand the test of time,” Dooley-Axup said. “There’s the fundamental need to belong, but without having to compromise who you are. And it’s really celebrating women and their own inner strength.

“[The musical] really captures the general love that Elle Woods has for life.

“It takes all the wonderful themes of female empowerment and courage in embracing individuality and heightens it for the stage.”

Rebecca Romeo, who plays mean girl Vivienne Kensington’s best friend Whitney in the production, said the stage adaption offered a modern take on the story, while expanding on fan-favourite characters from the film.

“Some of the smaller, unsung characters of the original movie do get a bit more of a moment,” she said.

“Elle’s best friends get a lot of really great moments [and] Kyle, the UPS guy, gets a really good comedic through line through the whole show.

“It really enhances everything.”

She said audiences could expect plenty of laughs.

“You’ll laugh, you might cry, you’ll cheer,” she said. “It’s just such a good one for everyone to come along and really get involved.

“Get a group together, come wear pink, have a couple of champers and just have fun.”

For tickets, head to geelongartscentre.org.au