Like OMG, you know you’ve hit the big time when you get the thumbs up – with suitably cu-ul emojis – by one of Hollywood’s leading ladies.
Ahead of their epic show, the Galway Musical Society (GMS) was tweeted by none other than Reese Witherspoon who played the lead role of Elle Woods in the original movie version of Legally Blonde.
Reese shared their picture on her social media account with 1.4m followers last week and said, “Good luck, y’all look amazing! #BreakALeg #LegallyBlonde.”
Oh my god oh my god you guys time to get your tickets for GMS’s LEGALLY BLONDE! @RWitherspoon @LauraBellBundy pic.twitter.com/Y3XilXjy0c
— Elena Tully (@ElenaDreamsBigx) March 30, 2016
Good luck, y’all look amazing!! #BreakALeg #LegallyBlonde
https://t.co/32ZH1oflq8
— Reese Witherspoon (@RWitherspoon) March 30, 2016
Elena Tully, who stars in the production opening next week, could not have been more excited, replying to the actress: “OH MY GOD THANK YOU XXX”
On the society’s own Facebook page she was could hardly catch a breath: “OMIGOD YOU GUYS!!!!! Ahhhhhhh you know Gms are gonna rock LEGALLY BLONDE when none other than the original Elle REESE WITHERSPOON wishes us luck!!”
Alana Power, who is playing one of Elle’s sorority sisters in the production, said the group were going all out to make this show count.
“We have had the same directors for the past 24 years and they were involved from the start. After this year they’re taking a break so this year is a big deal for us. It’s huge that she tweeted us.”
Reese’s portrayal of a ditzy blonde who is dumped by her boyfriend for a brainier girl when he leaves for Harvard has become an iconic film of the noughties. She gets into the ivy league college herself to study law.
Among the film’s many memorable scenes was when she teaches a friend to ‘bend and snap’ to attract male attention.
The tiny dog that was her constant companion and became a prominent co-star in the sequel when she goes to Washington to work on a bill banning animal testing only died last month aged 18.
She eulogised him on her twitter page: “Bruiser Woods (also known as Moonie) passed away yesterday. He was a sweet little Chihuahua who was very loved. I will never forget all the days we spent together … I’m sure his tail is wagging in the sky,” she tweeted.
The GMS version of Legally Blonde features the winner of last year’s Coyote Factor Hannah Wright who is taking on the lead role.
Hannah, 18, from Clarenbridge, decided to take a year out after completing her leaving cert last year in Calasanctius College to build up her stage experience before embarking on what she hopes will be a professional career in the world of musical theatre.
Hannah works in a stage school called Stageworks Youtheatre Company and part-time in the Kids Club at The Connacht Hotel.
Hannah admits that she lives and breathes theatre.
“I love anything to do with theatre! I’ve done all my grades in speech and drama, ballet and modern dance which I hope will all stand to me when we go on stage on the 12th,” she enthuses.
This is Hannah’s first year in the Galway Musical Society, but has been a member of other societies including Maree Musical Society and Tuam Youth Theatre.
Her first musical which sparked her love of theatre was with Calasanctius College in 2014 when she played the role of Guinevier in Camelot.
Since then she has played Ronette in Little Shop of Horrors, Maria in The Sound of Music, Ellen in Miss Saigon and Anita in West Side Story, but her all-time favourite role apart from Elle Woods is Velma Kelly in Chicago.
“I’m excited but a little nervous just because it is such as iconic role and I hope I do it justice,” she sighed.
Directed and produced by twins Brian and Sean Power, with Shane Farrell as musical director, choreographer Claire Rigney and chorus mistress Heather Shine.
Legally Blonde runs from Tuesday, April 12, to Saturday at 8pm with a matinee on April 16 at 3pm. Tickets are available from the Town Hall on 091-569777 or www.tht.ie
Tickets for Legally Blonde The Musical cost €16/€20.
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