The Turlock Youth Performing Arts troupe is bringing Elle Woods, Bruiser and the “Bend and Snap” move to the stage with their production of “Legally Blonde.”
The musical version of “Legally Blonde" follows the same storyline as the movie, with a few additions.
“There are a lot of similarities to the movie, but also a lot of differences, in that everything is more animated,” said the show’s director and choreographer Amber Traini. “For example, the scene where Elle teaches the “Bend and Snap” move becomes a whole musical number.
The show features a cast of 45 teenagers from all over Stanislaus County with 17-year-old Ashlyn Inman of Turlock in the lead role of Elle Woods.
Inman has been doing TYPA shows since she was 6-years-old and has previously played the lead roles in TYPA’s “Alice in Wonderland” and Joanna in last year’s production of “Sweeney Todd.”
"I was so excited that we were going to do 'Legally Blonde' this year because I have wanted to play Elle for a few years now,” Inman said.
“Legally Blonde” will be the last TYPA show for Inman, as she is set to move to South Carolina to start earning a degree in Musical Theatre at Coastal Carolina University.
“I leave the day after the last show, so I’m going to be a sobbing mess after that last performance,” Inman said. “It’s going to be so sad to say good-bye to my TYPA family."
The show, which opens Friday, will have music provided by a live orchestra made up of 19 music students from the area and conducted by Ryan Williams. Sarah Harrell, who teaches choir at Pitman High School, is the show’s musical director.
“With all the music and dancing, this show is so high energy and fun,” Traini said. “People are going to love it.”
“Legally Blonde” will take the stage at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Turlock Community Theatre. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at the door prior to the show and in advance at the Carnegie Arts Center at 250 N. Broadway or by calling 535-4822.