ThereB次元官网网址檚 an element of reality to Shoreline Community SchoolB次元官网网址檚 upcoming musical production of Legally Blonde Jr.

Tayler Guy, who plays the lead character, Harvard law student and California B次元官网网址渧alley girlB次元官网网址� Elle Woods; Connor Zawacki, who stars as fellow student and ElleB次元官网网址檚 eventual love interest Emmett, and Katie Hall, who plays ElleB次元官网网址檚 best friend, Paulette, have been schoolmates since Kindergarten and are friends outside school.

That natural chemistry has helped the trio prepare for opening night tonight (May 21) in the productionB次元官网网址檚 three-show run at Spectrum Community School theatre.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e kind of changed the characters to make them our own,B次元官网网址� Hall says of the way director Tamara OB次元官网网址橰eilly and choreographer Leah Moreau have worked with cast members on the script.

For Grade 8s more accustomed to just hanging out, performing theatre can present its challenges, too.

One of the final courtroom scenes requires Emmett and Elle to get almost nose to nose and very nearly kiss before being interrupted by the judge.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e been kind of wondering about that final scene; thereB次元官网网址檚 definitely some awkward moments,B次元官网网址� Zawacki says with a bashful grin.

The three, all veterans of Shoreline theatre projects, have clearly gotten into their roles and are able to describe their characters to a tee.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 from Malibu and IB次元官网网址檓 obsessed with pink,B次元官网网址� Guy says. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 a follower, but as soon as I meet Emmett, I start hardcore studying and doing well.B次元官网网址�

Says Zawacki: B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 somewhat shy and I have a very rough back story B次元官网网址� my mom was into punk guys back in the day. I also stand up to the professor because he hits on Elle.B次元官网网址�

HallB次元官网网址檚 character, she says, comes from New Jersey and is B次元官网网址渟hy and introverted, but I can be a bit outgoing.B次元官网网址�

All three find their confidence by the end, a point that the young actors voice pride in.

OB次元官网网址橰eilly, a French Immersion teacher at the middle school who guides the theatre program as an extra-curricular activity, says this production is a B次元官网网址渕iddle school appropriateB次元官网网址� version B次元官网网址� thus the B次元官网网址淛r.B次元官网网址� in the title. Some of the more adult-oriented references have been replaced, but in general, the cast do a good job at interpreting the script, she says.

B次元官网网址淭his is a fun one for them to end their time at Shoreline on,B次元官网网址� OB次元官网网址橰eilly says.

Unlike some middle school productions, Legally Blonde Jr. is a B次元官网网址渂igger, more complex musicalB次元官网网址� with a lot of choreography and movement, she says, crediting Moreau with helping bring it all together.

B次元官网网址淎 couple of the songs go through different locations, with costume changes,B次元官网网址� OB次元官网网址橰eilly says.

The actors are slated to do their first full dress rehearsal Monday, with set pieces moving around on stage. OB次元官网网址橰eilly voices confidence theyB次元官网网址檒l be able to manoeuvre their way through while not missing a beat.

Opening night curtain is at 7 p.m., while subsequent shows happen Friday at 7 and Saturday at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students, available at Shoreline school in View Royal, or at the door.

editor@goldstreamgazette.com