FORTVILLE — Claire Gray can’t wait to “bend and snap” her way into people’s hearts at this weekend’s production of “Legally Blonde: The Musical” at Mt. Vernon High School.
Claire plays the comedic role of Paulette, trusty sidekick to the musical’s lead character Elle Woods, a fashion-forward law student with a penchant for pink.
The musical takes to the stage four times this week, with performances Thursday, April 13, through Sunday, April 16.
Director Richard Barber, who has directed a number of productions at Footlite Musicals in Indianapolis, can’t wait to watch his young cast wow the crowds with their acting chops and vocal range.
“This is a very talented group,” he said as one young actress belted out a song during a dress rehearsal Tuesday afternoon.
“We’ve been working very hard with the dance and choreography. The kids have been very committed,” he said.
The show’s underlying theme of loving oneself, no matter what anyone else thinks, resonates with the director, who is enjoying his first year as Mt. Vernon’s drama director.
“I just really enjoyed the underlying theme of appreciating yourself for who you are. It’s a great story,” he said.
Claire said she’s been having a blast playing “besties” with her onstage counterpart, Myranda . who plays the lead role of Elle.
“We were friends before this production, but it’s been so great getting to do this together,” she said.
Claire also loves playing a character who, like Elle, learns to love herself for who she is — a transformation that becomes evident through the comical “bend and snap” scene.
“I love how (Paulette’s character) starts out shy and then really comes into her own,” said Claire, before taking the stage Tuesday afternoon.
This week’s production will be an emotional one for the 18-year-old senior, since it will be her last time on the Mt. Vernon stage before heading to Ball State University in the fall.
“It will be so so hard to leave this place. I’ve had so many good times here,” said Claire, whose brother Brodyn, 16, is also in the “Legally Blonde” cast.
Seventeen-year-old junior Eli Borgman is thankful he has one year left of high school theater after this week’s production, in which he portrays young attorney Emmett Forrest, who is smitten with Elle.
Borgman has been in every Mt. Vernon production but one since he was a freshman. His favorite was the musical “Mary Poppins” his sophomore year.
“I really enjoyed that show because I really enjoy dancing,” said Eli, sporting a Harvard T-shirt and blazer on Tuesday, as he embodied his role of a love-struck young attorney at the Ivy League law school.
The young actor is looking forward to seeing the audience’s reaction to “Legally Blonde,” which is based on a novel by Amanda Brown and the 2001 film of the same name. The musical debuted on Broadway in 2007, and has been performed in countless theaters and high school auditoriums ever since.
