Chelmsford High Musical 'Legally Blonde' Will Be Performed Thurs.-Sat.

CHELMSFORD, MA — Timothy Chase, a Chelmsford Public Schools faculty member, faced a few challenges as the director of the Chelmsford High School musical "Legally Blonde," which will be performed this weekend.

For starters, Chase, the cast and crew, were forced to put the two-hour show together in just six weeks, when eight weeks often is the minimum amount of time needed to produce a high school musical, according to Chase.

"Although it caused a few waves in the beginning of rehearsals, the students have worked tirelessly to give the public a fantastic show," Chase, who is directing his CHS show, told Patch.

The public will get a chance to see the finished product at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Carl J. Rondina Performing Arts Center. Tickets are available online. The production is presented by the Chelmsford High School Theatre Guild.

The musical, which is based on the 2001 film starring Reese Witherspoon, first opened on Broadway in 2007. It follows the story of Elle Woods, who tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams at Harvard Law School.

CHS junior Maeve McNeal plays Elle, alongside Kimsan Khon, who plays Emmett Forrest.

Chase said McNeal has taken the main character in a bit of a different direction than Witherspoon's Elle.

"While you think of Elle being a little airier and cutesy, Maeve adds a sense of vulnerability and awareness to her that is like nothing I've seen before," Chase said.

Chase described the musical as contemporary and upbeat and said it is full of "belt-singing and intense dancing," including one number that requires performers to sing and jump rope at the same time.

"This is a monster show that is hard for professionals to perform. So, the fact that the students are making it look easy is something that amazes me," Chase said.

Chase also said the show can be enjoyed by the whole family, even if some of the humor and themes might be aimed at teens and young adults.

"This show is a classic," Chase said. "It's literally pulled right from the popular early 2000s movie. The jokes may be mature but, they are absolutely hilarious. It's a show where you are able to sit back and watch with a smile never leaving your face. It is a very 'feel good' show."

Also appearing in major roles in the CHS production of "Legally Blonde" are: Hadi Al Dayaa, Madison Connors, Sophea Bethel, Ben Grant, Declan Hughes, Jocelyn Sylva, Armaan McCarthy, Mads Meehan, Kiki Deutschmann, Liz Mukisa and Bella Travers.

Chase said he worked alongside Martha Robertson, a Parker Middle School music teacher, on the show. The crew is led by Alex White, the tech director, while the orchestra pit is led by Matt Sexauer, Robertson and student conductor Jamie Garber.