Legally Blonde originated as a 2001 novel by Amanda Brown, based on Ms. Brown’s experiences as a law student at Stanford University. Miraculously, a film version also came out in 2001, with Reese Witherspoon playing the lead role of Elle Woods – a fashion-minded sorority girl who fights low expectations and stereotypes about her hair color and style – and follows her drifting boyfriend to Harvard Law School.
The book and film have been reimagined forward into subsequent films and television programs including the stage version, Legally Blonde – The Musical, which premiered on Broadway in 2007. The story is an engaging one, and the added score by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin lifts every scene.
Director Elizabeth Payne has brought together a top-to-bottom, multi-talented cast for the Beef & Boards edition of the show which opened earlier this week. The results are a nearly perfect, well-polished production filled with great songs and sharp, lively choreography by Sally Scharbrough and Deb Wims.
Local performer Olivia Broadwater takes the leading role and runs with it in her B&B (and professional) debut. Well-versed as a singer, dancer and actress, this recent Ball State grad shows remarkable promise with a superior turn. Joining her is Jacob Butler as Emmett Forest. His talents shine equally and Butler is well-matched with Ms. Broadwater as Elle’s hopeful friend.
Elle (Olivia Broadwater) upgrades her friend Emmett’s (Jacob Butler) wardrobe. (Photo by Rob Slaven / IndyGhostLight.com)
Other principals include Meagan Lewis-Michelson in an impressive portrayal as hairdresser Paulette; Griffin Cole as Elle’s ex-boyfriend, Warner; and Dani Kucera as Elle’s rival Vivienne. Jaddy Ciucci adds much as fiercely political law student, Enid Hoopes, and Logan Moore is memorable in dual roles as Harvard’s Mr. Winthrop and the UPS man, Dewey. Deb Wims is a very fitting Brooke Wyndham and Jeff Stockberger delivers as a cagey Professor Callahan.
The large supporting cast also impresses with a treasury of dance numbers and characterizations. Highlights for me were the opening number – “Omigod You Guys,” “Chip on My Shoulder,” and the hilarious “Gay or European.” Musical director Kristi Templet leads the B&B Orchestra with her usual expertise.
Technical aspects of the show are all solid and well-designed – projections are becoming more widely used at B&B and they augment the production’s fine set design. Costumes by Kathy Henry are the finishing touch to a beautiful show.
Bottom line: Surprisingly, no one at our table had seen the film version, so we were all very pleased to see such a completely wonderful job of storytelling. This is a great show full of top-level performances – highly recommended!
Legally Blonde continues through Aug. 25. Show times and reservation availability can be viewed at beefandboards.com or by calling the box office at (317) 872-9664. And don’t forget – Million Dollar Quartet is up next beginning Aug. 29.
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