Stage adaptation of 'Legally Blonde' sticks close to original, offers delights of its own
By Jessie Hethcoat
OMIGOD YOU GUYS! "Legally Blonde the Musical's" Broadway tour, like, totally premiered on Tuesday, Feb. 16, at the Keller Auditorium.
Seriously, though, it was pretty great.
Becky Gulsvig stars as Elle Woods, UCLA Delta Nu Sorority President, major of Fashion Merchandizing turned Harvard Law School student. The musical mostly follows the plot of its original book and film. Woods' boyfriend breaks up with her for someone more "serious," and she embarks on a journey to prove him wrong and win him back.
Likely story, right? Yes, but it's fabulous. There's something about putting a romantic story that's bold and outrageous onto a Broadway stage that just works. During a "Legally Blonde" performance, there are very few people without a wide grin on their faces.
That is, unless the audience member was dragged there by a significant other. This isn't a play for everyone, but it has redeeming qualities for the average, heterosexual male that might be put off by the performance. There's a good deal of revealing clothing and somewhat crude humor and innuendo at times.
Nonetheless, "Legally Blonde" is an inspiring, hilarious and positive experience. As Vivienne Kensington notably states, Elle proves that "being true to yourself never goes out of style."
Becky Gulsvig gives a fantastic performance as Elle Woods, filling the big shoes of original Broadway cast member Laura Bell Bundy. Gulsvig is both convincing and likeable in the role of Elle, which made the musical an even more enjoyable experience.
D.B. Bonds played Emmett, Elle's love interest. Unlike the typical actor cast as Emmett, he is, for lack of better term, a total hunk. This detail definitely doesn't hurt the enjoyment of the musical. Bonds did Emmett well, and probably made 90 percent of the audience fall madly in love with him.
Professor Callahan, played by Michael Rupert, was also a remarkable performance. His big number, "Blood in the Water" was reminiscent of a song Billy Flynn, lawyer in the musical "Chicago," would perform. While unlike the theme of the musical, his performance worked by giving the play another sound.
Movie-turned-musicals often render theatergoers skeptical. Having been previously familiar with a film plot line, many will write off a musical production that comes from a movie. "Legally Blonde the Musical," however, does not disappoint. In fact, I would go as far to say that it was even better than the film.
This is all of course if you like musicals in the first place. "Legally Blonde" is a spectacle, meaning it's over the top, ridiculous and incredible, for those of us that enjoy the musical and all its absurdity.
Containing allusions to Thomas Hobbes and Gloria Steinem, "Legally Blonde" was more than dumb-blonde jokes. The musical, as well as the movie, has substance.
So, if you're up for marvelously good-looking gay men in the ensemble, screaming tweens and their slightly tipsy mothers in the audience and a message that everyone can and should believe in, go see "Legally Blonde the Musical."
"Legally Blonde the Musical" is playing at the Keller Auditorium at SW Third and Clay from Feb. 16-21. Tickets are priced from $23.25 to $73.25 by phone or in person. Shows are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 and 6:30. For music, videos and more information, visit www.LegallyBlondeTheMusical.com.
