Local teacher stars in Sault production of Legally Blonde

While attending Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, the Sault’s Ariella D’Agostino performed in Legally Blonde The Musical as part of its cast.

A few years later, she’s playing the lead role of Elle Woods in the Musical Comedy Guild of Sault Ste. Marie’s production of the show, which runs at the Sault Community Theatre Centre from May 1 to 4 at 7:30 p.m.

“It’s incredible and humbling," D’Agostino told SooToday before a rehearsal Monday. "Our cast, our crew do incredible work. It’s so amazing how it all comes together. We’ve got an amazing group of people working together to make this an incredible show."

An elementary school teacher at H.M. Robbins Public School, D’Agostino, is an experienced performer who has been involved in musical theatre since she was in Grade 7. She said that while teaching in Scotland, she got homesick and returned to the Sault to not only enjoy her home community, friends and family but also the Musical Comedy Guild itself.

The show also marks Jennifer Avery’s first time as co-director of a major local theatre production. 

She danced at Trixie Hardy Dance Studio and first appeared as a Musical Comedy Guild performer in the group’s production of Gypsy in the 1980s.

“It’s exciting," Avery said. "I like putting this type of production together. The cast is amazing. Every single person in this cast is exceptional. They each get a place to shine in the show. They took it and ran with it. The show makes you laugh, it may make you cry and it’s just a really fun show to see after a long day at work or on the weekend." 

Lesley Walsh Tibben is Avery’s co-director for Legally Blonde The Musical.

She has been involved with theatre since appearing in the Guild’s production of Oliver! when she was 10.

“The thing that I like the most about this musical is the positive energy that comes out of it. It tells the story of a girl, Elle, who seems to have it all and yet she doesn’t. She finally finds herself and who she really is and looks deeper than what’s on the surface, deeper than what everybody perceives her to be,” Walsh Tibben said.

The Musical Comedy Guild show is produced by Michael Dal Cin and includes Brianna Niro as Vivienne, Kyla Robinson as Enid, Mike Doherty as Professor Callahan, and Christopher Walls as Emmett.

Additional information, including a link to ticket information, is included in the news release below:

The Musical Comedy Guild of Sault Ste. Marie is tickled pink to announce a cast of 42 performers for this spring’s production of Legally Blonde The Musical. Based on the popular film of the same name, this award-winning musical follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. Featuring many performers familiar to local audiences as well as a few brand-new faces, you won’t want to miss this dynamic, larger-than-life spectacle!

Ariella D’Agostino leads the cast as Elle, a bubbly sorority girl whose life is turned upside down when her boyfriend Warner (Brody DeChamplain) dumps her to attend Harvard Law. Determined to win him back, Elle charms her own way into the prestigious program but finds herself out of her element as she encounters new peers Vivienne (Brianna Niro) and Enid (Kyla Robinson), navigates unfamiliar academic expectations from Professor Callahan (Mike Doherty), and forms a connection with law TA Emmett (Christopher Walls). With assistance from a chorus of her Delta Nu sisters led by Abby Barsanti, Alex Briglio, Danielle Ritsema, and a very memorable new hairdresser friend named Paulette (Kerri Findlay), Elle comes to realize her own enormous potential. Also featured is Lauren Kinney as Brooke Wyndam, a fitness influencer facing murder charges who needs Elle’s help.

Additional performers include Ahmad Touseef, Alex Campana, Alison MacDonald, Arden O’Halloran, Arja Gallo, Ashley Hooey, Barb Ciferri-Dinsmore, Cass Haines, Chris Moore, Dominic Albury, Jakob Fice Lesage, Jamie-Lynn Garside, Jason Turpin, Kait Tappenden, Kayla Stafford, Krissy Strickland, Kyle Wilson, Laura Nanni, Mike Poluk, Monique Lucenay, Natalie Cook, Nicolette Rebello, Penny Gribbon, Rebekah Moran, Sarah Skagen, Si Nui Yun, Steven Skeggs, Ted McKinney, Thomas Groulx, Trish Rainone, and Tucker Lidstone.

Legally Blonde The Musical is directed by Jennifer Avery and Lesley Walsh Tibben and produced by Michael Dal Cin. Music direction by Peter Scoffield and stage management team led by Vicky Brienesse.

The show is very high-energy and explores themes of self-empowerment, friendship, and independence through catchy melodies, clever lyrics, and extravagant choreography in numbers such as Omigod You Guys, Bend and Snap, and Ireland. With this exceptional ensemble of local talent and an irresistible storyline, this is a night out at the theatre you won’t want to miss! Tickets on sale now at the Sault Community Theatre Centre Box Office in Station Mall, or online.

Legally Blonde The Musical is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). This production is licensed by Music Theatre International. Rated PG-13.

Ariella D’Agostino as Elle Woods in a rehearsal for the Musical Comedy Guild of Sault Ste. Marie’s production of Legally Blonde The Musical, April 29, 2024.

Members of the 42-member cast of the Musical Comedy Guild of Sault Ste. Marie’s production of Legally Blonde The Musical took part in a rehearsal at the Sault Community Theatre Centre, April 29, 2024.