Lucy Gross, Atlanta Native with Family Ties to the MJCCA, To Play Paulette in Company J's Teen Summer Stock Production of "Legally Blonde" - August 1 - 11
Lucy Gross, a Woodward Academy graduate, will play ‘Paulette’ in Company J at the MJCCA’s upcoming Teen Summer Stock production of Legally Blonde, running August 1 – 11, 2013. All productions will take place at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta’s (MJCCA) Morris and Rae Frank Theatre, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody. For more information or to purchase tickets call the Company J Box Office at 678.812.4002, or visit www.atlantajcc.org/boxoffice.
About Lucy Gross
Lucy was born and raised in Atlanta and grew up in the northeast suburbs. She went to Woodward Academy from the fourth grade through high school, where she graduated in 2012.
Lucy says, “During high school, I kept busy in the theatre department and did summer stock theatre every year. Those summer stock shows were under the direction of Jeffrey Bailey and music direction by Bill Newberry. But when Jeffrey had to move away, I had to look for other summer stock options.”
Lucy continues, “That is when a friend who had been in Jeffrey's shows with me told me about Spring Awakening, Company J's summer stock show last year. I auditioned and was cast as ‘Martha’. I loved working with Brian Kimmel, Eileen Edwards, and Annie Cook, as well as the cast and crew so much that I decided to come back and audition for Legally Blonde.”
Lucy is now entering her sophomore year at Birmingham-Southern College in Birmingham, Alabama studying Musical Theatre. Lucy says, “The college is small; composed of only a few thousand students, but the theatre department thrives and produces amazing shows with some of the most talented actors and production crews I have ever had the pleasure of working with.”
Lucy was raised a Reform Jew. She was Bat Mitzvahed at 13 at Temple Dor Tamid. Her paternal grandmother, Sylvia "Double" Gross, is known around Atlanta for her contributions to various Jewish and LGBT organizations. Lucy says, “You can't go into an Atlanta deli without finding someone who knows Sylvia.”
Sylvia’s late husband, Ben Gross, was a Holocaust survivor and made his career in real estate all over Atlanta. He and Lucy’s Uncle Alex Gross have had their survivor stories featured in numerous books and documentaries. Lucy’s Uncle Alex even wrote his own memoir of his experience titled Yankele.
Lucy’s family has been tied to the MJCCA forever. Lucy explains, “My two older brothers and I all went to Zaban for pre-school, and my mother and grandmother donated to the theatre; they have a plaque in their honor outside the box office.” Lucy says, “That is one of the reasons that being a part of this theater is so special to me, in a personal way.”
About Legally Blonde
College sweetheart and homecoming queen Elle Woods has everything a Malibu girl could want – rich parents, pink shoes, a purse dog, and she doesn't like to take no for an answer. So when her boyfriend, Warner, dumps her for someone serious, Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and heads for Harvard Law School! The flamboyant character surprises many along the way, and discovers a newfound confidence, self-respect, and the triumph of productive brainpower over revenge.
Legally Blonde - Performances (August 1 - 11) and Ticket Prices
Thurs. August 1 at 8:00 pm; Sun. Aug. 4 at 2:00 pm; Sun. August 4 at 7:00 pm; Thurs. August 8 at 8:00 pm; Sun. August 11 at 2:00 pm; and Sun. August 11 at 7:00 pm.
Ticket Prices: $10-$20, with discounts for students, seniors, groups, and MJCCA members.
Company J at the MJCCA - Contact Information
Media Inquiries: Lora Sommer at 678.812.4078, lora.sommer@atlantajcc.org.
Purchase Tickets: 678.812.4002, or visit Company J online at www.atlantajcc.org/companyj
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