Susan Granger’s review of “Legally Blonde” (Palace Theater ’06-’07 season)
Comedian David Spade was right when he quipped, “‘Legally Blonde’ the musical opened on Broadway last week. It’s a ‘can’t miss’ for anyone who’d like to see the movie again for $200!”
While Reese Witherspoon was indelibly endearing as cheery Elle Wood, so is Laura Bell Bundy. As in the 2001 film, pretty-in-pink Elle leaves her home in sunny Malibu and college life as president of Delta Nu sorority at U.C.L.A. to pursue her boyfriend who’s off to Harvard Law School, where “the girls have different noses.” And “Omigod, You Guys!” she gets in!
Newbie Broadway librettist Heather Hach (credited for the screenplay of “Freaky Friday”) and veteran songwriters Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin primarily expand scenes from the movie, while kinetic director-choreographer Jerry Mitchell and minimalist scenic designer David Rockwell keep everything moving at a fast pace. Elle’s sorority sisters form an amusing “Greek Chorus” who appear at her side as she faces various dilemmas, and Elle finds a new friend in the forlorn beautician Paulette, who yearns for an Irish lover.
Laura Bell Bundy sings, dances and enthuses, while Richard H. Blake and Christian Borle are convincing as her slick, upwardly mobile college beau (who wants “a Jackie, not a Marilyn”) and scruffy-but-far-better-teaching assistant at Harvard Law, respectively. But the supporting players steal the show, like Michael Ruppert as a predatory professor, understudy Leslie Kritzler as Paulette, Nikki Snelson as an exercise guru/murder suspect, Kate Shindle as Elle’s rival, Natalie Joy Johnson as a militant lesbian law student – and the hunky UPS guy!
While “Legally Blonde” breaks no new ground in musical comedy and pales in comparison with the movie, it’s tuneful, amusing entertainment. So if you enjoyed “Hairspray,” “High Fidelity” and “The Wedding Singer” line up for tickets now!