BROADWAY SNAP-SHOT
by Russell Bouthiller

Dateline: May 1, 2007

LEGALLY BLONDE

The Palace Theatre is pretty in pink with its most recent arrival, LEGALLY BLONDE, THE MUSICAL, the latest film-to-stage adaptation to hit Broadway. With music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin and a book by Heather Hach (based on the Amanda Brown novel and the MGM screenplay), this late season arrival marks the directorial debut of Tony-winning LA CAGE AUX FOLLES choreographer, Jerry Mitchell.

Mitchell's flagship launch roundly demonstrates that he is ready for the captain's chair. With the perky Laura Bell Bundy as star, Mitchell lifts this lightweight fare to the varsity level by doubly emphasizing its airy essence. That the show simply refuses to take itself seriously is precisely what made the movie so enjoyable and Hach's book respectfully maintains this spirit.

The premise of the story is quite simple and remains faithful to that laid out in the film version. Elle Woods (Laura Bell Bundy) is a flighty Malibu college senior who loves a boy, even more than she loves the color pink. And, that's saying something. But, the boy, Warner Huntington, III (Richard H. Blake), is off to Harvard Law School and he gives Elle the brush off on the night she expects to don his engagement ring.

Crushed, but never beaten, Elle finds solace in her girlfriends—a Greek chorus in lacquer and labels—who bolster their sorority sister's self esteem just enough for her to charm her way into Harvard Law and, in time, win back Warner. But, once she arrives at the hallowed halls of ivy, the beach-brained blonde juggles her priorities and sets out to prove that Elle Woods is a force to be reckoned with.

LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL is definitely a star vehicle and Laura Bell Bundy earns high marks carrying this heavy course load. When you consider she's flirting with Reese Witherspoon's celluloid imprimatur, Bundy proves to have as much spunk as the character she portrays. With teeth, talent and the perfect complexion for all shades of pink, Bundy bamboozles her way into your heart.

Supporting players are the caricature figures we met in the movie, with the exception of Emmett Forrest (Christian Borle), the man who ultimately wins her hand. In the film, Emmett is more the polished preppy than the style-starved nerd he is here. This construct works better in the musical comedy format and Borle plays the role with delightfully self-effacing humility.

Tony-winner Michael Rupert is Callahan, the stringent law professor whom Elle believes she's won over with her brains instead of her beauty. Former Miss America Kate Shindle does an excellent job as Vivienne, Elle's refined rival who has a change of heart. Leslie Kritzer gives a stand-out performance as Serena, Elle's airhead sorority sister. Richard H. Blake does a convincing job as the handsome cad and Orfeh shines as the man-starved beautician.

LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL may not go down in history as a cultural milestone for the New Millennium, but it does achieve its goal. Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin provide a fun-filled score. Mitchell keeps the energy high with his nimble choreography and with the candy-coated tableaus—thanks to the colorful sets by David Rockwell and coordinated costumes by Gregg Barnes—this is show that passes with high honors.