Legally Blonde the Musical on Broadway
Legally Blonde opened on Broadway at the Palace Theatre on April 29, 2007, after previews began April 3. The original Broadway cast featured Laura Bell Bundy as Elle Woods, Christian Borle as Emmett, Orfeh as Paulette, Richard H. Blake as Warner, Kate Shindle as Vivienne and Michael Rupert as Professor Callahan. The production closed October 19, 2008, after 595 regular performances and 30 previews.
The musical features music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin and a book by Heather Hach. It is based on Amanda Brown’s novel and the MGM film.
How Long Is Legally Blonde the Musical?
The Broadway production of Legally Blonde the Musical ran approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, including one intermission. Running times can vary by production. The 2009 national tour production reviewed below also ran approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes with intermission.
What Is Legally Blonde the Musical About?
Legally Blonde follows Elle Woods, who enrolls at Harvard Law School after her boyfriend Warner breaks up with her. What begins as an attempt to win him back develops into Elle discovering her own abilities and pursuing a legal career while remaining true to herself.
ChicagoCritic’s Legally Blonde Musical Review
From the ChicagoCritic Review Archive: This original review covers the 2009 national tour of Legally Blonde – The Musical at Chicago’s Oriental Theatre, now the James M. Nederlander Theatre. The production has closed, and its cast, ticket prices and performance information below are preserved for historical reference.
Music & Lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe & Nell Benjamin
Book by Heather Hach
Directed & Choreographed by Jerry Mitchell
At the Oriental Theatre
Legally Blonde—The Musical should be outlawed
Legally Blonde—The Musical, now at the Oriental Theatre through June 7, could only appeal to those who enjoyed the film. As a Broadway musical, Legally Blonde is so light-weight that it makes fluff shows seem like Shakespeare. I’m a big fan of musicals and shows like Hairspray and Mama Mia are enjoyable musical treats filled with high energy, terrific dancing and fine voices. It is valid that Broadway musicals can be pure escapist fluff—as long as the show’s production elements contain a bouncy score, cute characters and smart lyrics and creative choreography. Unfortunately, none of these elements are present in Legally Blonde.
I can’t remember a major, two and a half hour musical with such as lame, ersatz score with such strange lyrics—most of which were impossible to understand when sung by Becky Gulsvig (Elle Woods) and her eight Greek chorus members. Gulsvig and her group sung in such squeaky voices that I couldn’t understand a word they sung! The whiny voices were drowned out by the over modulated orchestra that featured too much percussion. Most of the pop/rock styled singers (including the men) had weak voices unable to land several of the talk-songs. With song titles such as “Omigod You Guys,” “Blood in the Water,” “Bend and Snap,” this show panders to sexism, is demeaning to women and gays while it presents men as merely sexual studs.
I could find nothing artistic here only a collection of stereotypes and clichés. The choreography was bland, the dancing below par and the story so weak that the writers had to resort to poor imitations of Irish music and a rip-off of Riverdance. When a live dog steals a couple of scenes, you know a show is in trouble. I’m scratching my head to figure out who the audience is for this cheesy musical? When a score lacks harmonies and melodies and the lyrics are so garbled by vocally challenged singers using pop/rock styles, who can enjoy that? Women and gays will be offended—so who is the audience?
I guess only fans of the film—this is another example of the dumbing-down of Broadway musicals. I’m still a believer that strong music and lyrics with a compelling story about likable characters produced artistically will find an audience. Legally Blonde lowers the standards.
Rating: Not Recommended
Tom Williams
At the Oriental Theatre, 24 W. Randolph, Chicago, IL, call 312-902-1400, running time is 2 hours, 30 minutes with intermission, through June 7, 2009
Tom —
I’m as faux-pretentious as the next theatre-goer, but I’m familiar with Legally Blonde. In fact, I’m a fan of it for what it is – a feelgood show with poppy music. Trying to judge it based on anything but what it is is just silly. There aren’t deep political undermeanings in this show, nor is it trying to change the world. It’s supposed to be fun – just like the movie it was based off was just supposed to be fun.
Also – I’m not sure what you mean with this sentence.
“With song titles such as “Omigod You Guys,” “Blood in the Water,” “Bend and Snap,” this show panders to sexism, is demeaning to women and gays while it presents men as merely sexual studs.”
Since none of those songs are offensive in the slightest or have anything to do with pandering to anyone, I’m not sure what you mean. “Omigod you guys” is the big opening number where the sorority girls are celebrating Elles engagement. “Blood in the water” is performed by a law professor teaching a class. “Bend and Snap” is a production number about confidence.
I’m a woman. One of my best friends is a gay man. We love the show. Generalizing is lame. Especially when it’s not even clear what you’re talking about in the first place.
Go and see Crazy for You and Once on This Island to see what fine Broadway musicals are.