Hello again, readers! I'm tickled pink because I just got off the phone with the young, effervescent and super upbeat actress who is starring as Elle Woods in Theatre Under The Stars’ Humphreys School of Musical Theatre production of Legally Blonde the Musical. Megan McGuff, who is about to enter her senior year of high school, is so much like the bubbly and determined character that she plays that it's no wonder she got the role of a lifetime. TUTS featured Megan in an introductory video shortly after she discovered she'd be playing the Legally Blonde heroine in pink, so I wanted to give my readers an update on Megan and the rehearsal process.
Thea Star: Hi, Megan! Thanks for allowing me to speak with you after a long day of rehearsals for Legally Blonde. How are rehearsals going?
Megan McGuff: Rehearsals are going great! We started only three weeks ago and we're almost done with the show which is amazing. All we have left to learn is a portion of one song so we're making very good progress. Everybody is doing great and we're having a lot of fun with this show.
Thea: What is it like working with the director, Michael Tapley?
Megan: Michael works very well with us. He's very efficient and gets things done. We listen to him and try to give him exactly what he wants.
Thea: I've seen Legally Blonde before and I noticed there is rarely a scene that doesn't include Elle. How do you keep your stamina up when performing a role that's this demanding?
Megan: When I get off stage I drink water and change costumes. That's all I have time for! I rarely get to leave the stage and when I do it's just to change. So I drink water, breathe, grab a towel and go back on stage.
Thea: Is it because you're so young and you can handle it all?
Megan: Um, being young and full of energy does help your stamina.
Thea: Now that you've "played" Elle for a while, have you discovered anything new about her or the character?
Megan: I've always gotten the basics of "Elle" but I didn't realize how hard it is to "act Elle". They [the Legally Blonde creative team] told me that I'm so much like Elle but I, as an actress, would try to put on a show voice and raise my pitch. However, they would rather me be myself. Being yourself on stage is actually kind of hard. Much harder than you'd think it would be.
Thea: We all know that Elle has a furry best friend named Bruiser. Have you had the opportunity to work with the dog yet?
Megan: I worked with the Chihuahua a week ago and she is doing very well. She's trained with treats so I'll have to put a treat on the ground or keep one in my hand or pocket then pull it out when I'm supposed to give it to her. She knows to go to the treats and it will help that I have her on a short leash or carry her for most of the show.
Thea: Besides working with a live animal on stage, what has been the most challenging part of the show for you?
Megan: Oh definitely trying to play myself because I'm so much like Elle. I didn't think I was like Elle at all, but he thinks so and that's how our director Michael Tapley wants me to play her; to play Elle as if I were playing myself.
Thea: There are some amazing and memorable musical numbers in this show. What is your favorite one to perform?
Megan: My favorite song is "Take It Like A Man". It's when Elle and Emmett are in the department store and Elle is transforming Emmett to look more like Warner. But then she ends up realizing that she's falling in love with Emmett. The number has really cute moments as well! I also like this song because vocally it is fun to sing!
Thea: Are you still as excited as you were the day you found out you were cast as Elle Woods?
Megan: I am very excited! I can't wait until we start tech week and I get to work with all my costumes and quick changes.
Thea: You really are like Elle! I'm sure she'd be excited about the clothes, too!
Until next time,
Thea Star