'Legally Blonde' to be performed at the Palace Theatre

“Omigod, omigod you guys,” the musical known for its energy, comedy and use of pink will be hitting the Historic Lockport Palace Theater stage for three weekends.

“Legally Blonde” the musical tells the story of Elle Woods, dressed in her signature color, pink, and the journey she faces, which ultimately teaches her who she really is.

Director Chris Parada said the decision to do “Legally Blonde” was an easy one. He said once the rights to do the show became available in October, they “jumped” to do it.

“With this show it is very much like the movie,” said Parada. “If you were a fan of the Reese Witherspoon story, it’s exactly the same with some more musical numbers.”

This is the largest set every built for a Palace show, said Parada. The set will even be brought out into the audience with the Delta Nu house.

The show will also feature the use of two dogs, Bruiser Woods, Elle’s trusty Chihuahua companion and Rufus, Paulette’s dog.

Buffalo’s Amy Jakiel will be taking on the lead role of Elle Woods. She has performed in a number of past shows at the Palace and was the director of the Palace’s most recent performance of “Hello Dolly.”

“It’s a blast,” she said. “For me, it’s a fun, energetic, cardio workout.”

For Jakiel, one of the main challenges she faced was playing a character that has a love for pink, which she herself does not. Her other challenge came from how well known the show is.

“Everyone knows Legally Blonde: everyone knows the Reese Witherspoon movie and anyone who enjoys theater knows the Broadway version and if you didn’t get to New York to see it, you saw it on MTV,” said Jakiel. “So, my struggle is to bring a piece of myself to the character but also keep those things everyone is waiting for. There are certain moments with a character like this you don’t change.”

Jakiel said people could expect to see the “Bend and Snap” make a prominent appearance in the show, along with Elle in her pink glory and the dogs.

“It’s a lot of fun,” she said. “It’s a phenomenal cast to work with. People have picked things up really quickly. Everybody has put in a 100 percent.”

For Jakiel, her favorite song is “So Much Better,” which is the act one finale. She said that is a huge moment for the character, where she realizes she is “more than my looks and I can actually do this.”

“The story has a surprising amount of depth to it,” said Jakiel. “People think Legally Blonde and they think pink and they think dumb and they think funny. There really is a lot to be said about the struggles these characters go through.”

Amherst’s John Kaczorowski will play Elle’s love interest Emmett.

“The movie was so much fun,” said Kaczorowski. “Whether you are a guy or girl and want to admit it or not, it’s become people’s guilty pleasure.”

He said this show brings a lot of fun that audiences will enjoy.

“From a one line character to Elle Woods, there is so much going on character wise you won’t know where to look on stage,” he said. “That brings a level of excitement that doesn’t always happen in musical theater.”

This is Kaczorowki’s first performance at the Palace Theater. The middle school English teacher pursues acting on the side, along with running a summer theater program in Lancaster.

“Legally Blonde” will feature a cast of 40, from the Lockport, Buffalo, Tonawanda and Amherst areas. There will also be a 20-member orchestra pit, made up of adult professionals from around the area.

“I am blown away by how eager the cast is to do a new show,” said Parada. “It gets people excited. It’s new choreography and a new vision that really lends to the creativity and excitement to everybody.”

Unlike past shows, “Legally Blonde” will be performed over three weekends, instead of two. Shows will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays on July 12, July 14, July 15, July 19, July 21, July 22, July 26, July 28 and July 29. There is no show on Fridays because of the canal concert series.

“It’s a comedy for sure,” said Parada. “It teaches you life lesions in a very nice way.”

Tickets for “Legally Blonde” are $18 for adults, $15 for senior citizens and children and $13 for students with ID. Group rates are also available.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.lockportpalacetheatre.org or at the Palace box office, 2 East Ave. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Tickets are also available at Mills Jeweler.