Aberdeen High School’s annual musical is so much fun, it should be illegal.

“Legally Blonde: The Musical” features senior Courtney Glenn as Elle Woods, the UCLA sorority girl who decides to go to Harvard Law School just to win back her ex-boyfriend, but discovers what she’s capable of on her own.

“The movie is funny, and so is the musical,” said director Tamara Helland during an interview on the AHS stage while the lighting crew practiced its role. “It’s smart, it’s quick, and I think it’s relevant in talking about stereotypes and about overcoming things you’re not supposed to be able to control, and really rising to the challenge. This is a great musical for this time.”

There’s no drama department at AHS, but you’d never know it given the popularity and scope of the annual productions. The students who participate represent numerous social and academic groups.

“We’ve got a complete array of students this year, and I’m really proud of that,” said Helland. They include members of the choir, the band and the LGBTQ club; both of the Food Ball chairs; students who run the radio station; and even about 15 athletes who’s never been in a play before.

“My goal this year was to have more students audition than we’ve ever had, and we surpassed that goal big-time. We had over 60 kids audition,” she said. “We used everybody. If they wanted to be onstage, they are in our show.”

Helland has been directing the AHS musicals for the past five years.

“The high school has been doing musicals since forever,” she said. For years, the productions were directed by Pat Wilhelms, the high school’s choir teacher.

“When Pat retired, I was contacted to see if I’d want to help out,” said Helland. “I had just graduated from college and moved back to the Harbor, so that was something I was definitely interested in.”

Initially, she wanted to teach her students where musical theater came from; so she started with “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” in 2013, followed by “Aida,” “Annie,” “Oklahoma” and “The Sound of Music.”

“This year, I thought that my kids had done their time doing my boring old musicals … and I wanted to see what would happen if I did something that might appeal to this age group,” she said. “And when I put the audition notice out there, I was floored at how much interest there was.”

Helland puts in countless hours on the annual production, but this isn’t her day job: She’s the counselor at Stevens Elementary in Aberdeen. She goes to AHS after school hours to work on the musical.

She’s been conducting two-to three-hour rehearsals every weekday since August — and for this final month leading up to opening night, she and the stage and lighting crews have been working well into the wee hours of the morning.

“It’s a two-and-a-half-hour show, so it takes quite a bit of time and a lot of dedication from my kids,” she said.

That goes not only for the cast, but also for the many other roles required for a major musical production: The lighting crew, set builders, orchestra, stage manager and others all are AHS students.

“My two stage managers have been with me for four years,” she said. “It’s a thankless job because they’re backstage, but I do make them come out every year and take a bow.”

She’s excited about opening the play on Thanksgiving weekend — a first for her. And she looks forward to sharing one of her favorite things with her students as well as the community.

“I really love this musical, and it’s cool to see my kids love it as much as I do,” she said.

A note for families: While the 2001 movie was rated PG-13, the musical has been toned down to PG.

“I pride myself on putting on tasteful and entertaining shows for everyone. That’s important to me,” said Helland.

The curtain rises at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 24-25 and Dec. 1-2, with a single Sunday matinee at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 3.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for kids. To purchase seats in advance, go to Harbor Drug in Hoquiam, Harbor Shoes in Aberdeen or the AHS front office.

(Photo by Keith J. Krueger) “Legally Blonde: The Musical” features AHS junior Ben Fagerstedt as Emmett Forrest and senior Courtney Glenn as Elle Woods.

Photos by Keith J. Krueger ABOVE: Elle Woods (Courtney Glenn) shows off her skills in court with the judge (Michaela Leach), the guard (Brandon Emry) and the stenographer (Brooke Solan) in AHS’ production of “Legally Blonde: The Musical.” CENTER: Patric Haerle hams it up as Kyle the UPS guy while Paulette (Kendall Cavin, left) and Elle (Courtney Glenn) swoon over him. BOTTOM: AHS junior Ben Fagerstedt plays Emmett Forrest alongside senior Courtney Glenn as Elle Woods.