Cotton Hall goes 'Legally Blonde' in Colquitt

COLQUITT — Cotton Hall Theater’s normally rustic interior has been given a pink makeover.

The theater, a 100-year-old former cotton warehouse, has been covered in the signature color of Elle Woods, the main character in the theater’s newest production, “Legally Blonde: The Musical,” opening this weekend in the home of “Swamp Gravy.”

Based on the MGM movie of the same name, “Legally Blonde: The Musical” has all the characters fans know and love, plus a pop score bound to leave audiences smiling. Elle Woods has it all — amazing sorority sisters, a 4.0 grade-point average and the perfect boyfriend, Warner — that is until he dumps her for more serious pursuits like Harvard Law.

It’s only once she buckles down and gets admitted to Harvard herself that Elle realizes maybe she can do more than she ever imagined. The cast of “Legally Blonde” features actors from the Colquitt area, as well as Bainbridge; Dothan, Alabama; and Chipley, Florida.

“We are so excited for this cast to bring this story to the stage,” Artistic Director Will Murdock said. “We have so many new and returning faces, and I think people are going to be so delighted by the vocal power this group has.”

Vocal power is something Reagan Bellflower knows all about. She’s been singing since she was a child, but stepping into Elle’s pink shoes has presented a learning curve.

“It’s been a challenge, that’s for sure,” Bellflower said of the role. “Elle is in almost every scene of the show, but the story of ‘Legally Blonde’ is a story about a girl who underestimates herself finally realizing what she is actually capable of. So I feel like I’ve really learned from Elle how to be confident and bold … and blonde.”

“Legally Blonde: The Musical” marks the return of Cotton Hall’s spring musicals following a hiatus after the strain of Hurricane Michael, and the theater is hopeful for a strong return by the audience.

“This is such a joyous, light-hearted show that has so much heart,” Murdock said. “It’s been fun to get into a room with folks and dance and play and get to decide together what will give our audience a laugh.”

“Legally Blonde: The Musical” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International, which licenses the official script, with a book by Heather Hach and music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin.

The musical will run May 3, 4, 10 and 11 at Cotton Hall Theater, 158 E. Main St. in Colquitt, with Friday performances at 7 p.m. and Saturday performances at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The performance is rated PG-13 for language and content.

Tickets can be purchased for $22 each at swampgravy.com or by calling the box office at (229) 758-5450.