Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/103721
Legally Blonde: So Much Fun It Shouldn't Be Legal by JANICE BURTON Legally Blonde is a feel-good movie about a girl who finds her power not in the sterotype of blondes, but in the power of being true to herself. Along the way to claiming her blonde super power, we found more than a few laughs (I for one liked it so well, I bought the DVD). So if you liked Legally Blonde, you are going to love Legally Blonde the Musical, according Shorey Walker, the director of the show. Walker, a New York-based director, explained that Legally Blonde was the perfect movie to be made into a musical. She noted that the folks who put the show together crafted a very funny, entertaining, clever show. "Elle Woods is a very passionate person. This story was the perfect fodder for a musical. This story is full of all of the things we theatre people love to sing about," said Walker. "The script is excellent. It is funny and clever. It is filled with characters you care about. They have a heart and you find yourself cheering for them." In order to tell this wonderful story and make the excellent script come to life, Walker cast a wide net to catch the perfect cast. Auditions were held here in Fayetteville, but also in New York City and through the use of technology. Local auditions saw actors coming from Raleigh to audition for a chance to be in the play. Walker has brought together a diverse group of locals, professional actors and some new stars of the four-legged variety together to stage what many believe will be the show of the season. Julie Baird, a native of Chicago, was cast in the lead role of Elle Woods. Baird recently earned her bachelor's in fine arts from Western Michigan University. This is her first production at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre, and she is excited about the show and about the community. "This is my first time in North Carolina and I am absolutely loving it," she said. She is joined on the stage by Matthew J. Riordan, a native of New York, who plays the role of Elle's love interest, Warner. "I think Warner is a nice guy. He tries hards, and in the end, he learns that if you have something great, you can still do something great without letting something go," said Riordan. Riordan has spent much of the past year traveling from community to community performing in regional theatres throughout the U.S. Most recently, he was in Virginia. He flew back to New York to audition for Legally Blonde, and then headed back South. Like Baird, this is also his first time in North Carolina and on the CFRT stage. They are joined by several CFRT veterans including Ken Griggs and Sean Powell, a theatre teacher in the Cumberland County Schools and the director of the CFRT's summer program. Powell plays the role of Emmett Forest, a part Walker feels is perfect for Powell. She explained that she was at the end of the local auditions and still hadn't found her Emmett. When Powell walked in, she immediately knew he was perfect the role and cast him on the spot. A whole of host of other talented actors, dancers and performers make up the remainder of the cast putting together a show that you won't want to miss. While Walker says it is a friendly-family show, Powell is quick to point out that it isn't just for girls. "Guys do not be ashamed to come to this show," he said. JANICE BURTON, Associate The show opens on Jan. 24 and runs through Feb. 10. For tickets and Publisher COMMENTS? Editor@ upandcomingweekly.com. information, visit www.cfrt.org. Serving Fayetteville & Surrounding Areas for Over 25 years... has 2 announcements for 2013 NEW PHYSICIAN Duy Lam, O.D. Now a c new pa cepting tien all age ts of s. Doctor of Optometry Degree from Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University Special Interests: Comprehensive eye exam for all ages, contact lens fitting, pre/postop LASIK & cataract surgery, Treatment & Management of Diabetic Retinopathy, Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma & Dry Eye Syndrome. New office in Eastover ning Grand Ope Eastover Professional Plaza 3551 Dunn Rd., Suite 103 n. 14 Monday, Ja (behind Eastover Drug) Your one-stop family eye care specialists from pediatrics, to LASIK, to cataracts. 1726 Metro Medical Dr., Fayetteville, NC 1629 Owen Dr., Fayetteville, NC 1816 Doctors Drive, Sanford, NC 1902 N. Sandhills Blvd., Aberdeen, NC 910.484.2284 1.800.829.2284 • 910.484.2284 ZZZ&DSH)HDU(\HFRP Experience You Can Trust Experience You Can Trust 8 UCW JANUARY 16-22, 2013 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM