[NEohioPAL] Berko review: LEGALLY BLONDE, THE MUSICAL (Playhouse Square)

[Roy Berko]

Cutesy ‘LEGALLY BLONDE, THE MUSICAL’  entertains at Palace
 
Roy Berko
 
(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)
 
--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--
 
Lorain County Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News
Times--Olmsted-Fairview Times  
 
Some shows are just meant to be entertaining…no great
message, no deep thoughts, nothing but joyous fluff.  ‘LEGALLY BLONDE, THE MUSICAL,’ is such a script.
 
The musical, like the movie on which it is based, centers on
Elle Woods, a blonde, seemingly ditsy California wealthy sorority girl whose
fashion sense far exceeds her common sense.  Well, that’s the illusion she gives off.  When Warner, her boyfriend, dumps her
for someone who is ‘serious,” Elle goes into action, and gets admitted to
Harvard Law School (that’s where Warner is enrolled).    Her eventual success, both in the classroom and
the court room, are foregone conclusions.  The lightweight plot takes us on her journey from blonde bimbo to blonde
valedictorian.
Okay, maybe there is an underlying belly to the show…be true
to yourself, stand up for your rights, and just because you are blonde doesn’t
mean you are dumb.
The show was nominated for seven 2007 Tony Award
nominations.
The touring production is directed and choreographed by Tony
award-winning Jerry Mitchell (‘HAIRSPRAY’).  The composer and lyricist are Laurence O'Keefe (‘BATBOY’)
and Nell Benjamin (‘SARAH, PLAIN AND TALL’).  The book was written by Heather Hach (‘FREAKY FRIDAY’).
The score, which includes “Ohmigod You Guys,” “Chip On My
Shoulder,” and “Find My Way,” is catchy.  Sprinkled in are some authentic show-stoppers including “The Harvard
Variations” and “Bend And Snap.” 
 
In an unusual move, while the show was running on Broadway,
and before it went on tour, an MTV version of a taped live production from the
Palace Theatre in New York was aired.  The show reached more than 12.5 million viewers in its debut
weekend.  Carrying the connect with
MTV further, a talent competition was held to find a replacement for Elle on
Broadway.  Several of the
contestants are in this touring production.
 
The show has strong Cleveland connections in that Gina
Vernaci, the Vice President of Theatricals for Playhouse Square, was involved
in the evolution of the production.  In addition, a group of ten local women partnered together to invest in
‘LEGALLY BLONDE, THE MUSICAL.’   They attended the Broadway opening of the show.
 
The touring production is nicely paced.  The choreography is good.   The sets and costumes are fine.
 
Becky Gulsvig, who plays Elle, and was the understudy on Broadway,
is good, but the part requires more….more sparkle, a fuller voice, a more
compelling presence.  She isn’t
bad, but not up to the level of controlling the show.  Jeff McLean has the right pompous attitude as Warner and
sings well. Natalie Joy Johnson is delightful as Paulette, the manicurist
turned Elle’s friend.   D. B.
Bonds is top-notch as Emmett, who helps Elle succeed and eventually wins her
love.  Ken Land, who portrays
Professor Callahan, isn’t swarmy enough as the lecherous instructor. 
 
The real stars of the show, at least based on the amount of
applause they received, are Frankie (Chihuahua) and China (bulldog), two dogs
that were rescued from shelters.  (BTW…each of the pooches has an understudy!)
 
The orchestra often gets carried away and drowns out the
singers.  That’s a shame as the
words to the songs are well crafted.
 
CAPSULE JUDGEMENT: If you like light-hearted musicals with
excellent music and some good singing and dancing, you’ll be pleased with this
touring production of   ‘LEGALLY BLONDE, THE MUSICAL.’ 
 
Tickets for ‘LEGALLY BLONDE, THE MUSICAL, which runs through
November 23, can be ordered by calling 216-241-6000 or going to www.playhousesquare.org.
 COMING
UP:  The producers of ‘RENT’ have
chosen PlayhouseSquare as the site to rehearse the new touring production of
the show.  It will have its national
preview here from January 6-12, 2009.