Staff photo by Fritz Busch The Gibbon Fairfax Winthrop (GFW) High School musical cast of “Legally Blonde” rehearses. From left, Isaac Vos, Lucio Munoz, Will Killion and Lydia Chapman.

WINTHROP — Gibbon Fairfax Winthrop (GFW) Theater Director Joe Vos said students are performing “Legally Blonde The Musical” by demand this fall.

The musical will be presented at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 22-23 and at 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 24 in the high school auditorium.

Students were quick to tell what they enjoyed about the production.

“I like the way we’ve come together as a theater family, cause it’s so fun. We laugh and tell jobs on breaks,” said Desi Schmidt who plays Elle Woods, who is turned upside down when she is dumped by her boyfriend Warner (Eli Molash), so he can attend Harvard Law school.

Woods is determined to get Warner back. She ingeniously charms her way into the prestigious law school. While there, she struggles with peers, professors and her ex-boyfriend. Yet, with the support of some new friends and some old ones, she begins to realize her potential as a strong, independent ‘blonde’ and prove herself to the world. She tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams.

Schmidt said set construction was among the musical’s challenges.

“Everyone helped built it when they could. Everyone getting ready and staying on schedule was another challenge. We’ve been working on this for months,” she said.

Will Killion (Professor Callahan) said he’s enjoyed working with students on the musical.

“It’s been really fun hanging out with them. I like the music too. Learning all the lines and music is challenging. The set is still being built,” he said Nov. 14.

Molash said the musical is the first one he’s done since third grade.

“Making the set and getting all the lines and songs and putting it all together are challenging,” he said.

Ashley Vos (Vivienne Kensington) talked about what she enjoys about the musical.

“Watching it all come together is interesting to see. Getting everybody here for rehearsal has been challenging with some scheduling conflicts. It takes a lot of dedication from a lot of people,” she said.

Vos began performing with Prairie Fire Children’s Theater as a first grader, then joined the high school theater in seventh-grade.

She said her college plans include studying aerospace engineering because she is very interested in space.

Lillian Hanson (Brooke Wyndham) said the musical is bonding experience.

“I used to go to GFW, now I go to Sibley East, which co-ops (with the GFW musical). I went to school with many of the (GFW) seniors here, so it’s getting back into contact with about them,” said Hanson.

“This is my first musical, but it’s really been a fun experience,” she said.

Hanson is interested in studying forensic science in college.

Caidyn Suess plays Emmett Forrest.

“I was in set (design) and didn’t act for a few years, but decided to get back into it this year and It’s been great, meeting a lot of people. The choreography (dancing) is hard,” said Suess.

He’s interested in studying civil engineering in college.

Director Joe Vos said GFW has been in collaboration with Sibley East in one-act plays in the past.

“Because of that, we decided to try it with a musical. This is the first time we’ve done this musical. It is challenging. It’s a long play. I have some sharp kids,” he said.

The cast list also includes Kalli Aden as Paulette Buonofuonte, Sylvia Schull as Margot, Daniella Kieper as Serena, Acelyn Harford as Pilar, Sage Long as Kyle, Keely Hlinsky as D.A. Joyce, Riley the Judge, Isaac Vos as Carlos, Lucio Munoz as Nikos, Padamadan; Tyler Aden as Grandmaster Chad, Dewey; Peyton Marozik as Chutney Wyndham, Brody Metcalf as Elle’s Dad, Shyanne Braunworth as Elle’s Mom, Emma Ferguson as Delta New Girl, James Slosson, student director Ashley Vos, manager Kalli Aden, tech booth overlord Kelston Larabee.

Set crew members are James Slosson, Robbie Lund, Kenny Paulson, Kaylee Slosson, Shyanne Braunworth and Ixel Metcalf.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for students. The public is asked to stop in at the GFW Middle and High School Offices to buy early tickets.