Legally Blonde: The Musical
By Keith Boykin, in theater
Monday, July 9 2007, 10:06AM
I write reviews all the time. But today I decided to do something different and present another person's viewpoint. My partner Nathan and I had a chance to see Legally Blonde: The Musical last month on Broadway and we both really enjoyed it. Rather than writing my own review this time, I decided to republish Nathan's review, posted on his new web site, nathanhalewilliams.com, which just launched last week.
If you've seen the movie version of Legally Blonde, you sort of know what you're getting into. It's fun, light-hearted entertainment. Personally, I liked the original movie better than the sequel, but I also loved the musical version of the original. As you will see in Nathan's review below, the musical is very entertaining as well. So today for the first time I present Nathan Hale Williams writing on this site.
LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL
Palace Theatre: Broadway & 47th
www.legallyblondethemusical.com
By Nathan Hale Williams
OH MY GOD! is not only the title of the opening song in this latest movie to musical adaptation; it is also the way you feel for the first 30 minutes of the show. Admittedly, I was a bit skeptical of the producers’ ability to translate such a campy, yet iconic movie into a Broadway show. But, they did it and they did it in great form. Legally Blonde: The Musical provided some of the most entertaining, unadulterated fun that I have had in a long time at a Broadway show. Now, if you’re expecting Shakespeare or Brecht then, this isn’t the show for you. If you’re looking to laugh out loud, smile from ear to ear and have a damn good time, Legally Blonde is the answer.
Without a doubt, the driving force of the show is the performances by the female actresses, divinely led by Laura Bell Bundy who aptly portrays our heroine, Elle Woods. Three perfectly picked performers support Elle’s perfectly pink persona: Annaleigh Ashford (Margot), Leslie Kritzer (Serena) and DeQuina Moore (Pilar). This trio brings to life Elle’s three sorority sisters/guardian angels. Whenever this diva quartet is onstage you are engulfed in their disconnected, yet totally fun world. Rounding out the stellar female lead cast is Orfeh who plays the dim-witted, but big-hearted hairdresser Paulette. I absolutely adore Jennifer Coolidge in the film, but Orfeh gives Paulette’s character a different dynamic that works just as well. Unfortunately, the male performers are a bit out of their league. They are not bad, but they are certainly not as good as the ladies.
The musical starts in the Delta Nu sorority house as the sorority sisters eagerly await Warner’s (Richard H. Blake) proposal to their top diva and chapter President, Elle. The title of the song is, “Oh My God You Guys” and it is a great opening number! Believe it or not, the song is well written and added to the great performances and choreography it becomes a showstopper! From the moment it began, the audience of mostly young white girls with their parents (and a smattering of gays) was hooked. Despite the lack of diversity, for the next two hours we were of one mind as everyone hooted, hollered, applauded and screamed in unison. After Warner fails to propose, the pace slows down after the first thirty minutes when we take a trip to Harvard, but then BAM! Elle and the girls (with some help from some hot male cheerleaders) deliver a number that serves as her “admissions letter.” Trust me, no law school has ever seen anything like this.
Once at Harvard, Elle has to deal with the intellectual snobs, the hard-nosed professors and, more importantly, trying to win back her man Warner. She gets help from her professor’s assistant, a young lawyer named Emmett (Christian Borle). Not to be petty, but Elle and Emmet’s relationship worked and made sense in the movie because Emmet was fine (Luke Wilson). Here, I don’t get it. Warner wipes the floor with the dorky looking Emmet. I was waiting for him to be a powerhouse performer and when that never happened, I questioned the casting. Nonetheless, Ms. Bundy carries the scenes and makes it work.
The musical continues on with the same flair and excitement as we follow Elle’s escapades at Harvard and then, working at the law firm of her slimy professor Callahan (Michael Rupert). Rupert is a great villain and you easily learn to hate him. The close of Act I is a big, enjoyable Broadway number that leaves you wanting more.
And, more is what you get in the opening number of Act II. Callahan’s client, Brooke (Brooke Wyndham), is a fitness queen who works out her tour de force number, “Whipped Into Shape” with a vengeance. Yet, another fine female performer that we can add to the mix. Act II is much shorter, but just as punchy and fun as the first. On the night I saw the show, there was a wardrobe malfunction, which would have been a disaster for lesser actresses than Ms. Bundy. During the memorable moment when Elle teaches Paulette her trademark “Bend and Snap,” Ms. Bundy snapped and her long blonde wig snapped with her…straight to the floor. The audience roared. She quickly pulled the wig back on and said, “so much for being Legally Blonde” referring to the noticeably brunette hair underneath the wig. The audience roared again. She continued with the number while giggling and every time she would go to “snap,” she’d grab the top of her wig. The audience roared. For the remainder of the number, Ms. Bundy skillfully made the moment work for her. The audience roared!
All in all, Legally Blonde: The Musical is a must see on Broadway. If you’re looking to enjoy yourself for a change at the theater then, you need to grab your pink bag and hustle down to the Palace Theatre to see this fabulous show now!