Whiteman, Green Quad head, steps down at end of semester
By Charnita Mack | Dec. 7, 2012USC’s longest-serving faculty principal leaves after 6.5 years
USC’s longest-serving faculty principal leaves after 6.5 years
Leading association for health, sustainability recognizes university’s efforts
Homecoming pep rally names university’s top fans Thursday
Gay author speaks in Russell House Ballroom
Groups promote sustainability at Russell House Patio event
Healthy Carolina brings therapy dogs to de-stress students
Musical adaptation of film comes to local theater A couple of weeks after the hype of USC's sorority rush, it only seems fitting that the Workshop Theatre is presenting "Legally Blonde: The Musical," the story of Elle Woods, a Delta Nu sorority sister on her journey through Harvard Law School. Workshop Theatre, located at 1136 Bull St., will be putting on five shows this 2012–13 season, including "Legally Blonde." The musical is based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer movie, which were both released in 2001. Scott Blanks directed the show with the assistance of Linda Khoury, while Jonathan Eason provided the musical direction, Joy Alexander the choreography and Alexis Doktor the costumes. If you attend the opening-night performance Sept. 14, you may see some familiar faces, as several past and present USC students are part of the production. Shelby Sessler, a fourth-year music student, plays the role of Vivienne, Elle's nemesis. Sessler, who said she has been acting since the eighth grade, enjoys life as a college student and actress, even though she admits it can be very busy at times. Karly Minacapelli stars in the ensemble and is a USC music graduate student. The cast has been rehearsing the show since mid-July. Sessler said the Workshop Theatre stage is nowhere as big as the one on Broadway — which premiered "Legally Blonde: The Musical" in 2007 — but the cast is making due with what they have. "The cast is full of talented people, and this show in particular has a very strong ensemble," Minacapelli said. "The talents vary from person to person, as we have a wide variety of ages and experiences involved in the show; there is a lot of raw talent." Other cast members include Giulia Marie Dalbec Matthews as main character Elle Woods, Daniel Gainey as Warner Huntington III, Hunter Boyle as Professor Callahan, and Mark Zeigler as Emmett Forrest. The show is a must-see for fans of the movie and those who even watched as the Broadway show searched for a new star to play Elle with the MTV reality show "Legally Blonde The Musical: The Search for Elle Woods," which aired in June 2008. But even those who aren't familiar with the story can still find something to enjoy about the show. "Even if you don't like the movie, you're very likely to like the musical," Sessler said. Shows will run until Sept. 29, and each show begins at 8 p.m. except Sept. 16 and 23, which will be 3 p.m. matinee shows. Tickets are now available and can be purchased either online at workshoptheatre.com or by calling the box office at 803-799-6551. The box office is open Monday through Friday from noon to 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $22 for adults, $20 for seniors and military members, $16 for students and $12 for children 12 years old or younger.