LEGALLY BLONDE Kicks Off Garden Theatre 2012-2013 Live Season

The Garden Theatre will kick off TheatreWorks Florida's production of the Central Florida Regional Premiere of Legally Blonde: The Musical, where Ivy League sorority girl Elle Woods and her blinged out pup Bruiser kick off the 2012-13 Season, October 5-28, 2012.

Legally Blonde: The Musical is produced and directed by Scott A. Cook, the artistic producer at TheatreWorks Florida. Cook has developed show designs and concepts for companies such as Universal Studios Florida and the Walt Disney World Company, and won numerous producer's honors including the Pierrots Award, Best Musical for Cats at Theatre Winter Haven in 2006 and 10 awards including Best of Fest at the 2012 Orlando International Film Festival.

The Garden Theatre chose this show as the season opener not just for its catchy numbers and national appeal garnered by its Broadway success, but for its messages of women's empowerment, success and self-belief.
"This show has a huge heart and a compelling story of great success. That's what draws all of us involved into it," said Cook. " You can't help but smile from ear to ear as the story unfolds and walk away being touched by the characters, the music and the dream of 'anything is possible' if you believe in yourself."

The 23-member cast includes Kristen Sheola stars as Elle Woods, Sean Philibin as Emmett Forrest, Michelle Boroughs as Paulette Buonofuonte, Ryan Mobley as Warner Huntington III, Stephanie Coatney as Vivienne Kensington, Todd Allen Long as Professor Callahan, Jessica Pressnell as Margot, Sandia Ahlers as Serena, Jennifer Roman as Pilar, Meghan Driscoll as Kate/Chutney Windham, Shamaron Batchelor as Enid Hoopes, Renee Monico as the Bookish Woman, Lisa-Marie Rhodes as Brooke Windham, Lyndsey Wilkerson as the Stenographer, Cassandra Banaszek as Elle's Mom, Jennifer Marshall as the Judge, Chris Alexey Diaz as Padaman, Michael Knight as Elle's Dad, Kevin Ryan Cole as Pforzheimer, Carlos Leon as Lowell, Robb Ross as Carlos, and Matthew Johnson as Kyle B. O'Boyle. Those who have previously appeared on the Garden Theatre stage include Todd Allen Long (Zombies from the Beyond, The Musicals of Musicals: The Musical!), Jennifer Roman (Little Shop of Horrors, The Bikinis: A New Musical Beach Party), Kevin Ryan Cole (The Sound of Music, Little Shop of Horrors), and Lyndsey Wilkerson (The Music Man). Actual dogs will appear and perform on stage, including "Vesta" as Bruiser and "Jeffrey" as Rufus.

Cook is excited to have casted Kristen Sheola as Elle Woods, who he believes fits the demanding role perfectly.

"From the minute I met Kristen, she exuded a sparkling warmth and energy that Elle Woods requires - every moment of every day," said Cook. "From auditions to rehearsals and soon, to performances, being around Kristen is like Christmas morning and I can't wait for our entire community to open the gift of what this lovely lady has to offer all of us on stage."

Legally Blonde: The Musical kicks off the Garden Theatre's fifth full theatre season, which will culminate in May 2013 with the beloved musical The Wizard of Oz. The opening weekend of Legally Blonde: The Musical will take place during MusicFest Weekend on October 5 - 7, a free weekend festival of music throughout the downtown streets.

Tickets are $29 for adults, $25 for students and seniors. Shows are Friday and Saturdays at 8pm, Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm. For tickets, visit www.gardentheatre.org or contact the Box Office at 407-877-GRDN (4736).

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