[NEohioPAL] Review of "Legally Blonde" at Beck Center for the Arts

[Bob Abelman]

Beck Center's 'Legally Blonde' is to dye for

 

Bob Abelman

News-Herald, Chagrin Valley Times, Solon Times,

The Morning Journal, Geauga Times Courier

Member, American Theatre Critics Association 

 

This review will appear in the News Herald on 7/13/12

 

 

The Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood has its bases covered, musical theater-wise.  On its intimate Studio Theater stage is the hard-driving "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson," while down the hall and at the other end of the artistic spectrum is the fluffy, sugar-sweet "Legally Blonde" on its main stage.

 

A meringue of a musical comedy, "Legally Blonde" gives us Elle Woods, an underestimated sorority girl who is dumped by her boyfriend for someone more serious and less, well, blonde.  Unfamiliar with rejection, this life-sized Malibu Barbie complete with accessories pursues him to Harvard Law School, where she enrolls to win him back.  Along the way, she delivers a song and dance at regular intervals and discovers her own self-worth between refrains.

 

Spawned from the MGM film starring Reese Witherspoon rather than the more respectable realms of legitimate theater or classic literature, "Legally Blonde" requires those in attendance to leave their brains at the door.  But not their high expectations, for this show is a thoroughly charming and endearing entertainment.  

 

The upbeat and deceptively complicated music by Laurence O'Keefe, as delivered by a wonderful and well-staffed orchestra under Larry Goodpaster's direction, offers infectious confections as songs.  Musical numbers, such as "Omigod You Guys" and "Bend and Snap," give the show a full-throttled forward momentum, which is embraced and embellished in Scott Spence's direction.  The stage is awhirl with energetic, well-orchestrated activity from start to finish.

 

Nell Benjamin's lyrics and Heather Hath's dialogue are wittier than one might expect.  Like tasting a bit of zest in a face full of seemingly sweet dessert, their words occasionally give one pause.     

 

So, too, does Caitlin Elizabeth Reilly's performance as Elle.  

 

While the film and national tour renditions of Elle range from perky to perkier, Reilly adds what could best be described as self-awareness and spunk to the character's repertoire.  This lets some of the air out of her effervescence and, at times, seems disingenuous amidst Martín Céspedes' delightful I'm-just-a-pretty-girl choreography with its runway model movement and very high altitude attitude.

 

These distractions of depth are made up for by members of the ensemble.  They seem more in step with the show's saccharine sensibilities and, like Reilly, come equipped with phenomenal singing voices and stage presence.  Comprised largely of Beck Center regulars like dance captain Holly Kay Harris and Kelsey Elizabeth Smith, ensemble members move as one and master everything that Céspedes can throw at them.  This includes the astoundingly athletic "Whipped Into Shape" production number featuring the ripped Shannon Eller as fitness guru Brooke.  And they make it all look easy. 

 

This production also offers a very strong supporting cast, particularly the hilarious Kimberly Bush and Caitlin Rose as the desperate-for-a-man hairdresser, Paulette, and the desperate-for-a-woman law student, Enid Hoopes, respectively.  Erin Diroll, Ashley Coleman and Anna Register, as Elle's sorority sisters and Greek choir conscience, are terrific as well.  

 

Carrying the burden of a slow burning romance as well as most of the show's sustained high notes is Jamie Koeth as upper-classman Emmett Forrest.  His "Take It Like A Man" duet with Elle is a highlight of the production.  

 

All this is complemented by Ben Needham's clever and attractive scenic design-a collection of set pieces and parts that are swiftly constructed and deconstructed with each scene-and character-correct costuming by David Glowe.  Rapid costume changes are performed seamlessly while other technical aspects of this production, such as lighting and sound, are still works in progress as of opening night. 

 

Given its popular culture pedigree, "Legally Blonde" is an unexpected delight and, despite some quirks, this Beck Center production of it is fun clear down to the follicles.  

 

"Legally Blonde: The Musical" runs through August 12 at the Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood.  For tickets, which range from $17 to $28, call 216-521-2540 x10 or visit www.beckcenter.org
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