Dan Schmidt and Julie Danielson are the masterminds behind this year’s musical, Legally Blonde, which is opening Feb. 19 in the Performing Arts Center.

This is the first year that the school has brought in a squad of brand new directors and choreographer, Erin Fine, to help with the show. Julie Danielson, the music director, is a professional. She usually directs the shows for the theatre program, MTYP (Music Theatre for Young People). Danielson even played in the pit when Legally Blonde was on Broadway..

“Having [Julie] in the program adds a weight of professionality to the show,” show director Dan Schmidt said. “We work together really well even though we have never worked together before. This will be the best show yet.”

Some may be wondering why a professional who has been on Broadway way would choose to work a school show.

“I was impressed with the quality of Mr. Schmidt’s shows I had seen in the past.”  Musical director

Julie Danielson said. “I was really interested in collaborating with him and working with the incredibly talented actors and musicians at this school,”

Adding new members to a team will always shake things up. A fresh face may have been exactly what this school needed.

“Julie has contributed a lot to the performance and it is going to be so much better because of her,” senior Emma Lucas said. “ I have never felt this musically prepared for a show before.”

The road to opening night will always have its bumps and hurdles that must be overcome. At the start of “Legally Blonde” Schmidt was on a leave of absence due to an illness. Schmidt is in charge of blocking and the overall look of the show. Without him, no blocking could be completed and none of the scenes had been worked on. When he returned in January only two dances had been learned and the show was falling behind schedule.

Danielson said that she is used to doing shows in a week so this one will definitely be ready for opening night.

Even the cast members appear to be confident that the show will be stage ready by the 19th.

“We have made a lot of progress even though [the cast] couldn’t get much done with Schmidt being gone,” freshman Giana Epps said.

This show has had its challenges but it will be up and running no later than Feb. 19.

“We have extremely well-prepared students and passionate directors – we don’t give up or give in! Push til it’s the absolute best!” Danielson said.