Category: Musical

Imagine seeing A Chorus Line without, well, a chorus line. The show wouldn’t be the same without its iconic choreography. When done well, it’s more than just movement. The choreography helps bring the story to life on stage.

Setting a foundation before sharpening the pencil

It starts with a vision — the director’s vision. With this understanding, a choreographer can create steps that match the style and intensity of each song while moving the plot forward.

From there, a choreographer may review the script and music, research dances from that time period, study the original choreographer’s style, and watch a video of the musical. This creates a strong foundation for setting the pieces in the musical.

Filling the pages of a choreographer’s notebook

Then it’s time to put pen to paper and chart the music, noting every 8-count, time signature change, and accent. Adding key lyrics helps highlight for the singers how to match the words with the movement. Timestamps make it easier to find the right spot in the music during rehearsals.

The more planning up front, the easier it is to start teaching the dances. With each number, a choreographer must consider details like:

• The characters that should be featured 
• Who is singing key parts so the movement doesn’t detract from their lines
• Where actors are standing and moving on stage to set formations
• How to adapt the choreography for the set, space, and actors’ abilities
• Any props that must be incorporated
• Staying true to the essence of a show, time period, and characters
• Whether audiences expect well-known choreography and elements to be retained

Here’s the secret: keep an eraser handy

Flexibility is key as there can be changes before opening night. What is a good idea on paper (or while dancing in your living room) may not always translate well on an open stage. It’s not unusual to tweak and adjust once the choreography is set on an actual cast. And that’s why many choreographers write in pencil.

Check out Abrams Spotlight Production’s latest choreography in action during Legally Blonde. The choreography is fun, spunky, and high-energy. You won’t want to miss it!

Written by Lisa Hagenow, Choreographer of Legally Blonde the Musical. Lisa has been dancing and choreographing for over 40 years; in addition to Legally Blonde, her most recent work includes Seussical the Musical and the popular Oklahoma!-come see her choreography in action and experience the show for yourself!

In pursuit of love, Elle Woods trades in her pink high heels for a briefcase in the Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc. musical “Legally Blonde.” This feel-good show, based on the 2001 box office hit, will be presented Feb. 26–March 1 and March 5–8 at the Nancy Byng Community Theater in Abrams.

Bursting with high-energy song and dance, “Legally Blonde” celebrates confidence and staying true to yourself.

(Parental discretion advised: Some dialogue and themes may not be appropriate for children.)

Director Preston Pelegrin said he is excited to present this upbeat, progressive show to the community theater audience in Abrams.

“I hope to bring laughter, tears, and compassion to the audience as they watch what this amazing cast has created,” he said.

“Legally Blonde” is composed of multiple scenes, and scene changes happen quickly, so the audience is never waiting.

“With the limited stage space, we had to get creative and really portray movement through blocking and the set panels that spin 360 degrees,” Pelegrin said. Sometimes, the panels move while the actors are on stage, changing the scenes without stopping the action.

“The audience will enjoy the fast pace and continuous movement that happens throughout the show,” Pelegrin said.

The audience will also notice the spot-on characterizations that cast members bring to the show. The cast is a mix of different ages, talents, and styles of humor.

“They bring energy and passion to the characters they portray and make it feel natural,” Preston said.

Evening performances will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, Feb. 26–28 and March 5–7. Matinee performances are at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 1 and 8.

Tickets are $22 for adults and $19 for senior citizens, youth (17 and under), and veterans.

In his directorial debut, Preston Pelegrin is not only managing a cast of actors, but also their canine companions! The dogs bring an “awh” moment to the stage and everyone loves a cute canine. Repetition and reward (AKA treats) is what will allow for this to be successful and predictable for the safety and comfort of all cast members. Not only are the dogs able to get more comfortable with strangers at rehearsals, the actors also get to enjoy the therapeutic calm and joy of the animals’ presence!

Puppy Profiles:

Meet Gizmo!

Breed: Long Haired Chihuahua

Age: 13 years

Gizmo will portray the iconic canine companion, Bruiser Woods! While attending A Ghost Tale for Mr. Dickens, Gizmo’s doggy parent, Christy, learned ASPI was looking for a canine performer, specifically a chiuhana, to portray the sorority girl to Harvard student, Elle Woods’ four-legged friend. Gizmo was the perfect fit! Though it is his acting debut, Gizmo is already skilled at conveying his emotions. When he is annoyed, he lets you know by sticking out his tongue. To prepare to be a star on the stage, Gizmo is attending rehearsals to become comfortable being held by others. At home, Gizmo loves blankets and spending time with his brother, a Chihuahua puppy named Remington. 

Meet Bruce!

Breed: Great Dane

Age: 8 months

Bruce’s doggy parent is none other than Legally Blonde‘s director, Preston Pelegrin. In his acting debut, Bruce will be gracing the ASPI stage in the role of “Rufus”. Bruce is a lap dog at heart who enjoys car rides, chewing on bones, walks, and cuddling! He is also a huge scaredy cat, and has a general apprehension towards most things until he is used to them. It’s a Dane thing! Still a puppy, Bruce is working on his manners. His best trick is sitting for a treat and only for short periods of time. Luckily, his role allows for creative liberty!

If you are a dog lover, this is an ASPI production you surely don’t want to miss! Tickets are selling FAST! Purchase yours TODAY! Tickets can be purchased online at abramsspotlightproductions.com. Showtimes are February 26-28 and March 5-7 at 7pm, and March 1 and March 8 at 1pm. Call the Box Office at (920) 826-5852 with any questions. 

Get ready to channel your inner Elle Woods- Legally Blonde: The Musical is coming to the Nancy Byng Community Theater, and we’re looking for performers to bring this high-energy, feel-good story to life! Auditions will be held December 15 or 16 from 6-8:30 p.m. at the theater, with show dates running February 26-March 8. This production is rated PG-13, and auditions are open to performers ages 15 and older.  Whether you’ve been performing for years or have always dreamed of stepping into the spotlight, this show is the perfect opportunity to shine. Legally Blonde bursts with humor, heart, and a whole lot of pink, proving that being yourself never goes out of style.

Based on the hit 2001 movie starring Reese Witherspoon, Legally Blonde: The Musical took Broadway by storm when it debuted in 2007. The show earned seven Tony Award nominations and was praised for its upbeat energy, clever lyrics, and empowering message. With music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin, and a book by Heather Hach, the musical became a fan favorite for its sparkling blend of comedy, catchy tunes, and unstoppable optimism. From Elle’s Harvard admission to her show-stopping courtroom victory, the stage version brings all the movie’s charm to life- and adds even more singing, dancing, and pink power along the way.

But being in a show like Legally Blonde is about so much more than the performance itself- it’s about community, creativity, and connection. Live theater brings people together in a way few experiences can. You’ll find yourself surrounded by supportive, enthusiastic people who share a love for storytelling and expression. Every rehearsal becomes a memory, every laugh backstage a bond, and every curtain call a moment of pride. Even if you’ve never auditioned before, this is your chance to check something off your bucket list, try something new, and be part of something truly special.

So what are you waiting for? Grab your pink outfit, warm up those vocals, and sign up today to audition for Legally Blonde: The Musical! Visit our website to reserve your audition slot, and get ready to bring this fabulous, feel-good Broadway hit to life right here at the Nancy Byng Community Theater. Elle Woods would totally approve- and so do we!

ASPI is thrilled to announce our 2026 season lineup, featuring three unforgettable shows that promise laughter, inspiration, and a touch of holiday magic. We’re excited to share what’s coming to the stage next year-and invite you to join us for a full season of live community theater right here in Abrams!

Kicking off the year in style is Legally Blonde the Musical (February 26–March 8, 2026). This high-energy, pink-powered musical follows Elle Woods as she heads to Harvard Law to prove she’s more than just a pretty face. Filled with catchy songs, humor, and heart, this PG-13 show is the perfect way to start the season with a burst of fun and empowerment.

In the spring, we’ll take a powerful turn with 1776 the Musical (May 7–17, 2026). This Tony Award-winning classic brings history to life with music, wit, and emotion as our founding fathers struggle to draft the Declaration of Independence. With its blend of humor and humanity, 1776 reminds us how much courage and compromise went into the birth of a nation.

Finally, we’ll wrap up the year with a dose of holiday nostalgia in Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Musical Radio Play (December 3–13, 2026). Presented in the charming style of a 1940s radio broadcast-complete with live sound effects and music-this adaptation brings a classic Christmas story to life in a whole new way. It’s a heartwarming celebration of belief, kindness, and the magic of the season.

Season Tickets for 2026 are on sale now, offering the best seats, convenience, and 10% savings compared to individual ticket prices. Don’t miss a moment of this incredible season-secure your seats today and experience the joy of live theater all year long!

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV) 

“The theater is a communal event, like church. The playwright constructs a mass to be performed for a lot of people. She writes a prayer, which is really just the longings of one heart.” – Marsha Norman, playwright 

“What is community?” “What does it mean to be a part of a community?” “How does tragedy affect a community?” These are some of the questions Godspell asks. In tandem, I ask “What does it mean to do theater?” “What is necessary to put on a show?” Although I had a deceptively religious upbringing – a grade school so Lutheran that it broke away from the synod because the synod wasn’t Lutheran enough, a devoutly Catholic grandma with whom I was very close – the place I found the feelings of a religious community was theater. We didn’t attend church on Sundays, but we did have Sunday matinee tickets to the Weidner center. We usually prayed before meals, but my family was most connected when watching old musicals or movies. And, strangely, at my very Lutheran grade school, we put on full scale secular musicals every year. These musicals were the main times I felt like I fit in or could contribute something to that community.

So for this production, I took Stephen Schwartz’s note about Godspell not being a literal playing out of the book of Matthew but as a formation of a community, and set it in my/our/your community – Abrams Spotlight Productions, now, mid-rehearsal process for an upcoming show. You will not find finished sets, costumes, disco balls, confetti cannons, or magical flying cars (which is totally sacrilege for me), but you will find the essence of performing: actors trying to get their message to the audience and holding the mirror up to nature (paraphrasing Hamlet). The answers to those questions above and what is that message? Just as we interpret the bible, that is for you, the audience, to come to individually. Now more than ever, community is important. Wanting to spread one’s messages, one’s “gospel,” not isolate ourselves from those who do not agree, is vital. “Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God” – Micah 6:6 (NIV)

“Whatever we accomplish belongs to our entire group, a tribute to our combined effort” – Walt Disney – and I would be remiss if I did not say that Godspell, despite the note above, where I talk about me, is surely the effort of every single person you see here today, and many you don’t see, and many who have influenced and taught me. 

Thank you for being a part of our community, even if only for this performance, and enjoy the show! 

-Elizabeth Jolly- Haslitt, Director of Godspell