Submitted photo Nicole Schumacher portrays Elle Woods and Tyler McCune her boyfriend, Warner Huntington III, in Davis & Elkins College’s production of ‘Legally Blonde.’

ELKINS — Davis & Elkins College Assistant Professor of Theater and Film Lonnie Martin, along with two D&E students, addressed and entertained the Rotary Club of Elkins.

Martin, a graduate of Davis & Elkins College, also holds an M.F.A. in Film and Electronic Media from American University. Martin joined the D&E faculty in 2018 and currently teaches classes in Film & Theatre as well as directing the College’s upcoming production of “Legally Blonde.”

“We feel theater arts are on the rise at D&E right now. For the past few years we struggled [because of the pandemic] and we’ve been in a rebuild ourselves. What’s exciting for us about this production is that it kind of represents our coming back,” said Martin. “We would not have been able to do a show of this scale, of this complexity a couple years ago. We are really excited to present this.”

“Legally Blonde The Musical” is based on the 2001 MGM movie of the same name. It is about Elle Woods, who thinks she’s going to be proposed to by her rich boyfriend but he breaks up with her because he’s going to go to Harvard Law School. Elle gets the idea that in order to win him back, she’ll apply the Harvard as well.

“It’s a very funny show; great music and big dance numbers,” commented Martin.

Joining Martin were cast members Nicole Schumacher, who plays Elle Woods, and Tyler McCune, who portrays her boyfriend, Warner Huntington III. The due performed “Serious” from the show.

Schumacher is a sophomore from Clarksburg who is studying theatre with a minor in communications. She is a member of the Morrison-Novakovic Center for Faith and Public Policy, and has been in several D&E productions, including “She Kills Monsters,” “Too Much Light,” “very still and hard to see,” and “Twin Flame.” When not in college, Schumacher enjoys dressing up as popular characters for birthday parties and spending time with her family.

McCune is a junior from Richwood; he is studying outdoor recreation management/pre-law and serves as vice president of Sigma Phi Epsilon. When not at college, McCune enjoys golfing, salt-water fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, and touring with his father. 

“Legally Blonde” opens today and runs through Saturday. It is being performed at the Harper-McNeely Auditorium in the Myles Center for the Arts on the campus of Davis & Elkins College and begins at 7:30 p.m. each evening. Admission to the production is free.

Rotary is a global network of 1.4 million neighbors, friends, leaders and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in their communities, and in themselves. Visit www.Rotary.org to learn more about Rotary International, visit the club’s Facebook page — Rotary Club of Elkins, or contact club president Kenny George at kenneth.george@blueridgeriskpartners.com for more information about the Rotary Club of Elkins.