Photo by Christina Bauert

“Theater is something that can put a mirror up to nature and it can tell you things about yourself.”

Jeanine A. Howe, actress, playwright, CMU Theatre Arts assistant professor and director of the upcoming ‘Legally Blonde, the Musical’ says that as a child, “I learned every character from the Wizard of Oz and I could do a one-person show. I used to torment my babysitters by making them sit and watch me play every single character.”

A graduate of Carnegie-Mellon University, Howe has been teaching and directing at CMU for 11 years. Before settling in Grand Junction, she lived in the Northwest where she was born.

“I prefer black comedy,” Howe said of herself, a point clearly illustrated by the plastic human skull and its sidekick, a bright pink flamingo, that decorate her office near the Robinson Theatre. From this office and throughout the hallway that leads to it, the ongoing sounds of music, singing and dancing can be heard as student actors gear up for ‘Legally Blonde.’

“It is very demanding,” Howe said of directing the musical.

Elle Woods, the main female character portrayed by Reese Witherspoon in the 2001 movie blockbuster on which the musical is based, is played by CMU sophomore Courtney Stillwagon, while Bailey, the adorable Chihuahua, plays Elle’s closest companion Bruiser. Shannon Foley, a junior music theatre major, plays the role of Brooke Wyndham, an exercise queen who finds herself being defended in court by Woods.

“Most of the characters are the same as in the movie,” Howe said. “It’s a story about growth and self-discovery, and all the characters grow and change throughout the story. We have some very talented actors and dancers and singers.”

“It’s much more of collaboration than generally some straight shows often are,” Howe said.

Rachel Eckelkamp, an acting and directing major who is also an assistant stage manager for the musical, said, “It’s going to be really fantastic. She [Howe] uses a lot of style called Chekov, working with movement and character.”

Rated PG-13, the musical will be playing from Feb. 27 through March 8 in the Robinson Theatre at Moss Performing Arts Center.

cbauert@mavs.coloradomesa.edu