Two weeks ago, my daughters and I were thrilled to attend the media preview of Walnut Street Theatre’s LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL.

Based on the smash hit movie, LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL follows Elle Woods’ journey as a pink-loving SoCal sorority girl to a Harvard law student, all on her own terms. In this fabulously fun, award-winning Broadway musical, Elle tackles all obstacles, and educates us all on staying true to our dreams through rousing songs and show-stopping dance numbers. 

Richard Stafford returns to the Walnut as director and choreographer of LEGALLY BLONDE. In addition to directing and choreographing last season’s production of Mamma Mia!, Stafford’s previous Walnut credits include direction and choreography for Saturday Night Fever, Sister Act, Memphis, Curtains, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Beauty and the Beast, and Cats, as well as choreography for La Vie en Bleu, Evita, and The Goodbye Girl.

After performing in Walnut productions as a child, Kathryn Brunner returns as an adult to play Elle Woods. Brunner was seven years old when she was cast in the Walnut’s production of The Sound of Music, her first regional theatre credit. She followed that up by performing in the Mainstage productions of Evita in 2002 and Annie Warbucks in 2004 (at 10 years old). Since graduating from Temple University, Brunner has starred in many regional productions including Mamma Mia!, Oklahoma!, and Footloose.

Elliott Styles stars opposite Brunner as Emmett Forrest. Styles was most recently seen on the Walnut stage as the Doctor in Roald Dahl’s Matilda. The hilarious owner of Hair Affair, Paulette, is played by Walnut veteran Rebecca Robbins. This marks Robbins’ 18^th show with the Walnut Street Theatre, with her most recent appearance being in Annie as Grace Farrell. Robbins has been seen performing on Broadway in The Phantom of The Opera and A Tale of Two Cities.

Paul Schoeffler is back to the Walnut stage as the conniving Professor Callahan. Schoeffler’s many Broadway credits include Sunset Boulevard, Rock of Ages and Sweet Charity. He can be seen on TV’s Blacklist and is featured on Amazon’s new animated series, Bug Diaries.His Walnut credits include South Pacific, 9 to 5 and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Sean Thompson, who originated the role of Raoul on the national tour of Love Never Dies, plays Elle’s ex-boyfriend and self-absorbed law student Warner Huntington III. Before making his Broadway debut in Sunset Boulevard, Thompson was last seen at the Walnut as Buzz Adams in South Pacific.

LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL runs at the Walnut through July 14. This production is sponsored by TD Bank, Robert and Louise Harman, and Richard Mitchell and Marna Carlton. For tickets and information, call 215-574-3550 or 800-982-2787. Tickets are also available online 24/7 by visiting www.WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster.

Image: Photo courtesy of Walnut Street Theatre.