How Theatre Can Surprise and Delight
A good musical or play can surprise me, I'm happy to say, as it takes me to places that I never expected it to go. My first contact with Legally Blonde The Musical was actually when I became aware of the 2001 film of the same name. And, frankly, the previews made me think that the story would be silly, ditzy and would focus the comedy on exploiting stereotypes. So, when I found myself about to attend my first performance of the stage version of the show, Legally Blonde The Musical, I did not have high hopes. Boy, was I wrong!
I was surprised to find the show funny, witty and, of all things, smart. While it did begin by playing on stereotypes about sorority women and blonde jokes, as the show went on I delighted in the way that it challenged me to laugh more at my own stereotypes than at the antics of the characters. It allowed me to see past their surface triviality and to identify with their journeys of self discovery. The ridiculous characters became substantial and the seemingly important characters were revealed to be foolish. And the show turned this sophisticated theatrical trick while wrapped in catchy music and entertaining personalities.
On behalf of the theatre, I hope that you enjoy this celebration of the power in all of us to go beyond the conventional and discover that we can be more than what we seem to be.
Mark Abram-Copenhaver
Artistic Director, South Bend Civic Theatre
Thank You for Your Support
On behalf of the South Bend Civic Theatre’s board of directors, thank you for attending today’s performance of Legally Blonde the Musical. We’re delighted you’ve chosen to join others in our community to enjoy live theatre in our beautiful and historic facility in downtown South Bend.
You may already know that our “community theatre” thrives from the involvement of diverse members of the South Bend region. This certainly includes those of you in the audience here to enjoy the show. But it also includes our volunteers in the cast, the crew, ushers and folks in the concession stand. These are our neighbors from all walks of life—teachers, students, attorneys, writers, researchers, and more. Next year we’ll reach our 60th anniversary as a community theatre. Since 1957, being grounded in our community in this way remains one of our theatre’s hallmarks.
Not surprisingly, we depend on our community’s support—beyond the sale of tickets to our shows—to sustain our theatre, maintain our remarkable facility, and prudently compensate our dedicated and talented staff. With the active involvement and support of our board and staff, we are working diligently to strengthen our operations in order to enrich our community through live theatre for another 60 years.
At this time, we encourage you to lend your financial support to South Bend Civic Theatre. Please contact a member of our staff or board to learn how, or visit the “Support Us” section of our website (www.sbct.org). We appreciate your consideration of a generous donation to South Bend Civic Theatre.
Terry Bush
President, South Bend Civic Theatre Board of Directors
