Ohmigod, ohmigod, you guys.
MGM’s 2001 film Legally Blonde starring Reese Witherspoon has arrived in musical form at The Fabulous Fox Theatre, with dance numbers and approximately 15 pounds of glitter and rhinestones to match.
The musical follows the familiar plotline of the movie, with Elle Woods (Lauren Ashley Zakrin) journeying from sunny Los Angeles to Harvard Law School in Cambridge, Mass., in her quest to rekindle romance with her ex-boyfriend, Warner Huntington III (Jeff McLean).
Along the way, Elle begins to show promise as a lawyer with help from her friend and budding love interest Emmett Forrest (D.B. Bonds), and with encouragement from her UCLA sorority sisters and hair stylist Paulette (Natalie Joy Johnson). When she encounters an unexpected roadblock and is prepared to throw in the towel, it is optimism, support and snazzy musical numbers that pull her through.
Though they’d never admit it, even the most pessimistic and cynical theatergoer couldn’t possibly resist this peppy, feel-good, two- and-a-half hour girl-power love fest.
From the UPS guy’s sassy catwalk to a musical number dedicated to deciphering whether the witness at the stand is gay or just European, “Legally Blonde: The Musical” is a winner, whether you’ve seen the movie or not.
Any nostalgic fan of the movie could be understandably skeptical about how a whole set of musical numbers could be seamlessly inserted into a plot not even remotely given to music. However, 19 superbly choreographed and effortlessly executed numbers later, I dare anyone to remain a skeptic-apparently everything is better in song with matching dance moves. From the pervasive “Ohmigod you guys” to “Bend and Snap,” each song contains an element of Elle Woods that takes the loveable character from the movie to new heights.
Director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell does a good job of taking the film into a more theatrical arena.
Despite the obviously questionable logic and realism of the plot-I’m not so sure how well marching bands, cheerleaders and bedazzled unitards would go over if I were applying to Harvard Law-the overall theme of the musical is the same uplifting message that made the movie so popular eight years ago. Don’t judge a book by its cover, and believing in yourself never goes out of style.
Extra kudos must be given to Zakrin, who, as the Elle Woods understudy, stepped up to the plate after the regular Elle Woods, Becky Gulsvig, broke her toe a few weeks ago.
Zakrin, who was a finalist on the MTV reality show “Legally Blonde: The Search for Elle Woods,” was untouchable as bubbly, cutesy Elle Woods.
Though the acting was more than a little over the top at times, that’s one negative characteristic that isn’t actually particularly negative in the context of a musical like “Legally Blonde.”
If you’ve ever liked a chick flick in your life, then this is not a live theater chick flick to miss.
For those who dislike bouncy choruses, happy endings and cheesy yet romantic plotlines-it’s probably best to keep a safe distance unless you’ve perfected your gag reflex.
“Legally Blonde: The Musical” will run at The Fox through Feb. 1.
