LEGALLY BLONDE—A REAL CHARMER

F. J. Hartland 

           One would have to be legally dead not to succumb to the charm of LEGALLY BLONDE.

            No, it’s not great art; it’s as fluffy as cotton candy.  Make that pink cotton candy.  But it’s fun.  The tunes are infectious, the cast is delightful and the show moves at high impact.  You can’t help but leave the Benedum Center with a grin on your face! 

           LEGALLY BLONDE tells the story of Elle Woods, blonde sorority girl from Malibu.  When her boyfriend breaks up with her, she follows him to Harvard Law School to win him back.  But before she can do that, she has to prove to Warner and her classmates (and herself) that she can be taken seriously.  The musical is based on a novel by Amanda Brown as well as the film starring Reese Witherspoon.

            Becky Gulsvig plays Elle Woods with the perfect blend of humor, wit and style.  You are rooting for her from the moment the show begins.  And Gulsvig also makes you believe that an intelligent woman is really underneath all that sugar and spice.  Gulsvig also captures beautifully the transformation that Elle Woods undergoes 

           As Emmet Forrest, Elle’s mentor, D.B. Bonds is warm and engaging.  Emmet grew up on the wrong side of the tracks and doesn’t always fit in with the snobs of Harvard, so he identifies with what is happening to Elle.  Bonds has a powerful voice and a strong stage presence.  He and Gulsvig have real chemistry together on stage.

            Elle is also aided and abetted by her Delta Nu sorority sisters/Greek Chorus.  These gals are high-spirited and fun!  Their pictures should be in the dictionary next to the word “peppy.” 

           Adding humor to LEGALLY BLONDE is Natalie Joy Johnson as Elle’s hairdresser Paulette.  Down—but never out—Paulette has had a rough life but holds onto her dreams (which Johnson expresses beautifully in the very funny number “Ireland”).

            In a small, but memorable, performance is Ven Daniel as Kyle, the UPS deliveryman.  Daniel is both funny and sexy and with just a few scenes nearly steals the show.

            The set by David Rockwell with lighting by Ken Posner and Paul Miller keep LEGALLY BLONDE flowing smoothly, each scene seamlessly melting into the next.  Costumes by Gregg Barnes are colorful and eye-catching.  Visually, the show is stunning.

            LEGALLY BLONDE pulls out all the stops.  The show features a marching band, Irish dancing, a golf cart and a lighted proscenium arch that moves.  And to top it all off, there is not one—but two—adorable dogs who grace the stage.

            If you’re looking for a good time at the theatre, see LEGALLY BLONDE.  If you can get tickets, that is.

            LEGALLY BLONDE continues through June 14 at the Benedum Center.