Snap to it

Bend and snap your way to Arts Place this week.

Jay County Civic Theatre will present its production of “Legally Blonde: The Musical” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday, at the Jay County Campus of Arts Place.

The musical, an adaptation of the novel by Amanda Brown and the 2001 movie starring Reese Witherspoon, follows California sorority girl Elle Woods on her journey to attend Harvard Law School to win back her ex-boyfriend.

“What you think is a stereotypical California blonde follows her ex-boyfriend to Harvard Law School and discovers that she has the power to change and make herself powerful without the need of having him,” said director Brad Younts. “If I had to distill it down to one word, I’d say (the plot) was about empowerment. And to expand on that, I would say that it is … the support of your community that gives you that power.”

Aside from a few structural differences, the storyline is similar to that of the movie. 

Younts explained the musical dives further into the characters’ perspectives.

“You are able to dig a little bit deeper into the mindset of some of the characters, especially Elle Woods, and have a better idea of what’s going on internally,” he said.

Jay County Civic Theatre’s production stars Erin Staugler of St. Henry, Ohio, as Elle. Staugler voiced her excitement to perform as a character she loves and respects. She described the pink-loving protagonist as an empowering individual.

“Elle is energetic, positive, confident, inspiring and she empowers every person she meets,” said Staugler, who played Katherine in JCCT’s 2019 production of “Newsies.” “I think, at least throughout the show, almost every person she interacts with or meets, you end up seeing how they change for the better as a person.”

Staugler, who has also been on stage with Jay County Civic Theatre in “The Sound of Music” and “Freaky Friday,” explained Woods grows herself throughout the course of the musical as well. Her priorities shift from ex-boyfriend Warner Huntington III to a love for the law business.

“She starts to love law because she can use it to help people,” Staugler said. “You go from, you know, her big want is following this man, trying to win him back with her love, to she doesn’t care about him anymore, and she just wants to follow her own dreams and become her own person.”

Other names highlighting the cast include Pennville’s McKenna Vore as Paulette, Bryant’s Josh Hilty as Warner and Fort Recovery’s Emily Hull as Vivienne.

Like the comedy film, the musical overall has an upbeat, humorous tone. 

Younts noted various unexpected funny moments throughout the show. “Bend and Snap,” a phrase coined by Woods about the ways in which to woo a man, expands into a song and dance number.

“The thing that is unique about this show is that I’ve described it as the ‘earwormiest’ show ever because it just gets stuck in your head in the best possible ways, it’s just super infectious in the way it’s written,” said Younts.

“What You Want,” another energetic song, encapsulates Woods’ venture into attempting to win back her ex-boyfriend’s love. Staugler describes it as “complete chaos.”

“That’s just how it is, I guess, with Elle, there’s just always something always crazy and exciting happening,” she said.

Tickets are $12 for students and $14 for adults. They’re available by visiting bit.ly/JCCTLegallyBlonde, calling (260) 726-4809 or visiting Arts Place in Portland. (There is a $1 charge per ticket for credit card purchases.)

“People should be prepared for a lot of pink,” Younts said. “It is Elle Woods’ signature color, both in the film and the musical, and we’re making full use of that.”