Pretty in pink and accompanied by her emotional support chihuahua, Elle Woods takes the stage for Zilker Theatre Productions’ 65th annual summer musical. From July 12 to Aug. 17, audiences can see “Legally Blonde, the Musical” for free every Thursday to Sunday at the outdoor Beverly S. Sheffield Zilker Hillside Theater.
The cast and crew members of the film-to-Broadway musical include a few Longhorns – Music Director Lyn Koenning and ensemble members Kate Evetts and Aidan Burgoon.
“There’s really nothing like performing at Zilker Park with free, accessible theater for everyone,” alumna Evetts said. “There’s no barrier to entry … and that’s really meaningful.”
According to its website, Zilker Theatre Productions boasts a legacy of making the arts, specifically Broadway-style musicals, accessible to the entire Austin community through “the magic of performing while inspiring the artists of today and tomorrow.” The nonprofit’s productions draw huge crowds every night and over 45,000 annually.
“What I really love (about being in the musical) is the collaboration and the unity of making that thing happen every night for all those people,” alumna Koenning said.
Koenning, who earned her master’s of music at UT in 1983, also headed UT’s musical theater program for nine years. As a professional pianist and award-winning music director, she has worked with students who went on to star in Broadway musicals such as “Hamilton” and “The Lion King.” Since directing the music of Zilker’s 1998 summer musical, “South Pacific,” she has lost count of how many productions she worked on with the company.
“Besides musical and personal satisfactions, (Zilker’s) mission was really solid: to bring great theater to as many people as possible without it (costing) them anything,” Koenning said. “It’s an encouragement to a young person, maybe (it’s) a formative experience for them.”
For Evetts, a former Texas Pom squad captain who danced with the team from 2005 to 2009, ‘Legally Blonde’ reintroduced her into theater after a 17-year hiatus.
“When I realized the show would be ‘Legally Blonde,’ … I (thought) that that might be a good fit for me because of the dance style,” Evetts said. “The jazzy, very collegiate style of dance in the show is very much what I did when I was with Texas Pom.”
Similarly, English senior Burgoon saw the musical as an opportunity to regain footing in the theater world. He said it’s never too late to reconnect with a past passion.
“My job this summer is … to go to the park and (put) on a play with my friends,” Burgoon said. “It’s so fun to … tell a really fun, energetic and really, really impactful story.”
Austin boasts a vibrant theater community with ample opportunity for Longhorns to take part in something bigger. Whether in the performing arts or business, Koenning said the crew often cross paths during their career with connections made at UT.
“My advice would be to really get in there with the people that you’re studying with and learn from them,” Koenning said. “Reach out into the community and plug yourself in where you can.”
