Connor’s Roads Are Twisted, But All Lead to Laughs

Connor Rhoades (seated third from left) as the pretentious Aaron Schultz

Legally Blonde, the Musical is a high-octane, non-stop, laugh-a-minute, action-packed bundle of emotions and energy with a risqué sense of humor.  Come to think of it, so is Connor Rhoades, who constantly keeps his cast mates in stitches with his off-color one-man comedy routine. This may explain why he is so well suited to this show.  Already in his twenty-second play at age 20, Connor was born to perform and has embraced his ensemble role in Blonde with gusto.

Connor plays a variety of parts that show off his comedic range, including a UCLA frat boy, a snobby Harvard Law Student named Aaron Schultz, and Carlos, the ostentatious friend of Nikos who makes a “big announcement” in Gay or European. As Connor says, “Carlos is possibly the wackiest character I have ever played! Getting to go crazy and sing the end of Gay or European is definitely my favorite part of the show!”   Connor has tapped into the “sassy physicality of Carlos” which he finds the most challenging part of his role: “He is such a flamboyant character, and it’s vital for him to be over the top.”

Connor can personally relate to a common theme of Legally Blonde, which is “following your dreams, no matter what people tell you. Ever since I was a young child I wanted to work in animation. People have told me that there are few career options in animation, but today I am working toward my degree in character animation” at the College for Creative Studies.

Legally Blonde is Connor’s second show at the Barn, having debuted last year as Nicky in Avenue Q, when he was often joined at the hip with Blonde director Jason Wilhoite as they operated puppets together.   Connor says “ever since Avenue Q, I have loved working at the Barn. The idea of rehearsing a show in the space in which you perform is wonderful.”   He has done several shows with many of his cast members, including Jason, Alison, Keshia, Alisha, Rachel, Kyle, and Nick, which he finds “incredibly rewarding!”

Some of Connor’s other favorite roles include: Into the Woods (Jack), Grease (Roger), Wizard of Oz (Cowardly Lion), Hairspray (Edna), The Complete Works of William Shakespeare [ABRIDGED] (multiple roles), and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (William Barfee).

The Farmington Players' production of Legally Blonde, the Musical is sponsored by TruVista Wealth Advisors.  The show opens April 26 and runs through May 18. Tickets can be purchased online at www.farmingtonplayers.org or by calling the box office at 248-553-2955.