By Karen Hall

Staff Writer

Everyone knows what "Legally Blonde" is about, of course, because of the 2001 movie starring Reese Witherspoon.

What's playing at the Dixie this weekend and next is a musical version of the story, full of lively songs and dances. It was a big hit on Broadway in 2007, and in London three years later.

It should be an equally big hit in Lewisburg, with the young cast doing a great job of drawing the audience in to the story.

Cassidy Primm is wonderful as Elle Woods, never faltering in her high-heeled pink shoes and coping perfectly with some quick costume changes. Robbie Karban and Erik Martin both do good jobs as her love interests. Madison Newberry does an outstanding job as Paulette the hairstylist, who talks Elle out of dyeing her hair brown. Paulette goes on to become a friend and confidante, especially when Elle helps Paulette get her dog back from her sleazy ex-boyfriend.

Yes, there are dogs on the Dixie stage. Elle's dog, Bruiser, is played by Ferguson, an 8-year-old Chihuahua, and Paulette's Rufus is played by a very handsome dog named Louis.

"I was thoroughly impressed," said sound man Evan Dumser after the dress rehearsal. He cautioned performers not to say their lines until the stage lights are on their faces, and urged them to "keep the energy up."

"A lot of it is timing," said Director Allison Mulliniks. "Thursday night we'll get it right."

The cast had a night off Wednesday to rest and recuperate, and had a final run-through Thursday, including hair and makeup.

They'll be ready to impress Marshall County audiences tonight at 7 p.m.

You can also see the show Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

The same schedule is repeated the following weekend, with evening performances Friday and Saturday, and a final matinee Sunday.

Do go -- you'll leave the theatre smiling, humming, and even dancing a few steps, convinced, at least for now, that true love can triumph and the most unlikely dreams can come true.

In addition to those named above, the cast of "Legally Blonde" includes Kennedy Alexander, Cameron Bogle, Peyton Brown, Emma Butt, Adrienne Carden, Abbey Cross, Jenna Edwards, Summer Fuss, Savanah Gipson, Madalyn Gold, Callie Johnson, Matthew Karban, Rebecca Karban, Madeline Lewis, Cassye Marsh, Jaime May, Amy Perez, Nick Phillips, Austin Poarch, Abbey Redferrin, Mekell Sain, Pablo Salinas, Chance Shrum, Noah Swanson, Nick Werner, and Lexy White.

Mulliniks was assisted by producer Amanda Adams; music director Elise Dumser; choreographers Lee Bowles, Robyn Arnold and Mekell Sain; sound men Ryan Adams and Evan Dumser; lights David Sanders and Davis George; and stage managers Sara Poarch and Brett Poarch.

Set designers Tracy Cross and Cheryl Keny deserve special praise for using limited resources to create a multitude of different sets.

The Marshall County Community Theatre's next production will be "Charlotte's Web," directed by Nancy Nave, Andy Pitts, and Barbie Pitts. Auditions are March 17 and 18, and rehearsals begin the first week of April.