BALTIMORE (Map, News) - For Natalie Joy Johnson, ending up on Broadway is not surprising.

The Howard County resident is now in San Francisco performing in “Legally Blonde: The Musical,” based on the popular motion picture starring Reese Witherspoon.

“Legally Blonde” moves to the Palace Theater on Broadway on April 29.

As is so often the case in theater, Johnson, 29, won the role of Enid thanks to a special mix of talent and good luck.

“The role had been cast, but that person got another job. Two friends of mine in the show thought of me, and my agent got me an audition,” she said.

“So I went in, sang and read for them, and they offered me the role right on the spot — that never happens! It’s definitely a dream come true. It’s very exciting to be part of this journey of [Legally Blonde.]

“Right now I’m rehearsing from 1 to 6 p.m. and then doing the show at night. It’s a grueling schedule.”

Johnson was more than just a girl with a good voice, said voice teacher and Broadway veteran Nancy Macks of Ellicott City.

“I met Natalie in her freshman year of high school. I was her voice teacher, and saw she was a very gifted kid, not afraid to let it loose,” Macks said. “When you bring together the right vocal techniques with charisma, personality and performance, you’ve got something. And Natalie has something.”

Johnson has developed a considerable resume, performing off-Broadway in such works as “BARE: A Pop Opera” and in a national tour of “Godspell.”

“After Natalie graduated from college, she went to New York and auditioned for both ‘Godspell’ and ‘Jekyll & Hyde’ and got both shows,” Macks said.

“Natalie realized that ‘Godspell’ was going to play in Baltimore, and chose ‘Godspell.’ I made sure all of my students knew, and so many of the kids went to see her. Most people don’t get picked for two national touring companies out of New York on their first audition. That tells you how strong she is.”

“I’m living my dreams through Natalie,” said Johnson’s father, Pete. “She and I have done shows with the Howard County Summer Theater Group. She got me to design sets at the Mount Hebron High School.”