The star of Plant City Entertainment’s newest production, “Legally Blonde: The Musical,” doesn’t have the lead’s iconic blond locks. A natural brunette, Pamela Heaps will be flaunting a perfectly styled wig for her role as Elle Woods. But her hair color doesn’t mean she isn’t the real deal.
Outgoing and giddy, the actress’s bright smile is contagious. Just like her character’s. And her on-stage romance is an off-stage one, too. Her husband, Benedict Heaps, will be playing Emmett Forrest, Elle’s love interest in the musical.
“You don’t have to work for chemistry,” Benedict says. “You don’t have to practice the kissing scene.”
“It’s not awkward,” Pamela adds.
From her fingertips to her sequin-scaled shoes, Pamela is dressed in pink. She’s wanted to play the role of Elle ever since the musical version of the popular 2001 movie came out. She was a freshman in high school. Oddly enough, her dad loved the movie even more.
“This is for Dad,” Pamela says.
Benedict, too, remembers when the movie first was released but can’t say he was as excited about it as his wife.
“I wasn’t quite as obsessed, but guys will like it, too,” Benedict says.
The comedy follows sorority glamour girl, Elle, as she miraculously gets into Harvard to get the love of her life back. But when the school year progresses, she discovers he’s not the knight in shining armor she thought he was and instead follows her new passion — to become a lawyer. She makes new friends along the way, including Elle’s rough around the edges beautician, Paulette, and Emmett, an accomplished partner at a law firm.
“It’s basically right from the movie,” Pamela says. “There are some lines in there that are straight from the movie script.”
And although they’re no strangers to the storyline, this is the first time the couple has participated in a Plant City Entertainment show. They knew Nick Folkes, the musical director for “Legally Blonde,” from working with the Lakeland Community Theatre. They decided to audition.
“It’s a lot more intimate,” Benedict says about Plant City Entertainment. “Everyone’s been really helpful and really nice.”
Both always have loved theater. They attended Rochelle School of the Arts in Lakeland around the same time, studying orchestra and dabbling in the violin, piano and cello. Pamela tried her hand in art for a second before moving on to theater. They met during Lakeland Community Theatre’s “Bugsy Malone.”
“We’ve always been around each other but never knew each other,” Pamela says.
The two started dating and married almost two years ago. Through it all, they have maintained their love of theater. Pamela can’t remember the last time she’s had a break from performing. The two can name off play after play — “Silvia,” “South Pacific” and, now, “Legally Blonde.”
“We just like to do community theater,” Pamela says. “You meet so many people and make friends.”
Pamela has made one new friend she thought she never would. Her character’s sidekick is a chihuahua named Bruiser. The pup’s real name is Benedict Cumberpooch. She’s worked with one other animal wing man before when she played Dorothy. The dog playing Toto was a rescue from, ironically, a tornado stricken town.
“It’s fun,” Pamela says. “Luckily I’ve done it before. Bruiser’s way easier. He just stays in the little pink bag I have.”
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.
‘Legally Blonde: The Musical’
WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday, July 18, and Saturday, July 19; 2 p.m. Sunday, July 20
WHERE: Plant City Entertainment Theater, 101 N. Thomas St.
TICKETS: At the door $10 for members; $12 for seniors, non-members and students; $14 general admission. Advanced tickets at Hardee’s Fashions, 1501 N. Wheeler St.
INFORMATION: pceshows.com or (813) 752-0728
MEET THE CAST
Elle Woods: Pamela Heaps
Paulette Bonafonte: Wendy Davidson
Brooke Wyndham: Emilie Plants
Pilar: Brianna Manley
Serena: Brynne Piesco
Margot: Victoria Tuzzolino
Enid Hoops: Krystal Scott
Vivian Kensington: Danielle Goyco
Kate: Olivia Mitchell
Chutney Wyndham: Fralia Rosario
Delta Nu Sisters: Chelsea Scourtes, Alixandra Papiet, Billie Martin, Laura Kasch
Mrs. Woods: Kelley Gustafson
Whitney: Fralia Rosario
Sundeep Padaman: Oliver Sprague
Aaron Schultz: Logan Simmons
Mr. Woods: John Harrer
Rapper Grand Master Chad: Oliver Sprague
Winthrop: Maurice Cecchini
Lowell: Jim Fortinberry
Pforzheimer: Vince Evangelista
KiKi: Billie Martin
Carlos: Vince Evangelista
Nikos: Oliver Sprague
Judge: Maurice Cecchini
District Attorney Joyce Reid: Dana Fortinberry
Court Stenographer: Chelsea Scourtes
Reporter: Katie Rains
Prison Guard: Vince Evangelista
Ensemble: Mark Henderson, Logan Boyette, Lionel Wood, David Harnage
Store Clerk: Billie Martin
Store Manager: Katie Rains
Emmett Forrest: Benedict Heaps
Warner Huntington III: Jonathan Hogsett
Professor Callahan: Tyler Hollis
Dewey: Terry Abbott
Kyle: Nick Lafauce
Bruiser: Benedict Cumberpooch
Rufus: Manny Nicely
PRODUCTION
Director: Jennifer Fenner
Assistant Director: Shirley Outen
Musical Director: Nick Folkes
Choreographer: Lois Green
Costume Director: Debbie Scourtes
Master Set Builder: Tom Mitchell
Master Artists: Carolyn Woodard, Jean Adams, Paul Hetrick and Kristen Permenter
Lights and Sound Director: Jeff Moranville