I will admit; I was a bit skeptical when I first heard of Legally Blonde-The Musical. I was never one of those girls who watched the movie; I didn’t really understand what the big fuss was about. But when one of my friends made me listen to the soundtrack, I was hooked; from the opening number, Ohmigod, You Guys to the very end, I was laughing and singing along.
The story is the same from the Movie to the Musical: A very typical sorority belle, Elle Woods of Delta Nu is in love with her boyfriend, Warner Huntington III. As she is getting ready to say yes to his proposal, Warner is intent on breaking up with her, insisting that as he is going to Harvard to become a lawyer, he needs someone Serious. After a small crying jag, Elle rallies and is back on her feet, determined to get in to Harvard and show Warner that she is What You Want. With quite a bit of effort and sacrifice, and a great dance number instead of a personal essay, Elle Woods makes it into Harvard.
The Harvard Variations introduce the audience to several of her classmates, mostly self-absorbed and self-important individuals, with the exception of Emmett Forest. Elle and Warner have a class together, Criminal Law 101, taught by Professor Callahan, who tells them that only the good lawyers are sharks, and to watch for the Blood in the Water. He then reminds them that he will select four sharks from their class to intern with him. Vivian, Warner’s new girlfriend, soon kicks Elle out of class. Elle and her Greek Chorus (the girls of Delta Nu) are Positive that Elle can win back Warner, but he walks away. Desperate, Elle wants to try something she has never done before: she’s going to dye her hair brunette. Talked out of it by her salon dresser Paulette, they commiserate about their lost loves, while Paulette sings of Ireland.
While at the salon, Elle is invited to a ‘costume’ party hosted by Vivian. However, when Elle arrives, dressed as a playboy bunny, the party is not in costume. Elle perseveres and tries to make Warner believe she is Serious, to no avail. Later, crying on a park bench, Elle is found and comforted by Emmett, who tells her that she needs to get a Chip on her Shoulder to succeed. Elle tries it, and tutored by Emmett, Elle begins to succeed in class. When the new interns are announced, Warner and Vivian are both selected, and Warner takes the opportunity to propose to Vivian. Elle is ready to give up, until Emmett tells her that she was also selected as an intern. Elle realizes that she feels So Much Better.
Act Two starts with Brooke Windham, formerly of Delta Nu, now a workout star of Whipped into Shape, being accused of murdering her sixty-year-old husband. She claims to have an alibi, but will not tell it to Callahan or any of the interns, until she finds out that Elle is a Delta Nu. Brooke soon reveals her alibi, that she was having liposuction, but that if it were made public she would lose her fitness enterprise. Callahan, disgusted with Elle’s secrecy and Emmett’s attempts to defend her, criticizes them both and tells them to take the rest of the day. Elle takes Emmett shopping, guiding him to look good and Take it Like a Man, as the audience realizes that Emmett is falling in love with Elle.
Later, at the salon, Paulette tells Elle that she is falling in love with the new delivery guy, Kyle B. O’Doyle, but that she doesn’t know how to get him to notice her. Elle, and several other salon patrons, teach Paulette the Bend and Snap 99.99 percent effective on strait men. Paulette is reluctant, but tries it on Kyle, only to ’snap’ his nose. At the trial, Brooke’s pool boy testifies against her, but Elle, accidentally doing the bend and snap in front of him, realizes by his non-reaction that he is gay. Callahan doesn’t believe her, resulting in a discussion There, Right There! of how to tell if someone is gay or European. Emmett manages to crack him, and all realize that he is gay and European.
Over drinks later, they toast Emmett and Elle, and Warner is sent away. Callahan speaks highly of Elle, and asks her to stay as everyone else leaves. He hits on her, kisses her, and when she refuses his offer, he fires her, saying the only reason he hired her is for her body, not her mind. Elle is devastated, and decides to leave, go home and be Legally Blonde. When Emmett tries to stop her, she tells him what happened, and locks him out. When Elle goes to tell Paulette goodbye, Vivian stops her, and tells Elle that she needs to go back to the case. Elle agrees, and leads her parents, the girls of Delta Nu, and everyone else in a parade back to the courtroom, where Brooke fires Callahan and makes Elle her new legal council, helped by Emmett. Elle questions Miss Windham, the stepdaughter of Brooke. Elle breaks her defense and wins the case. Elle becomes Valedictorian and Paulette tells what happens to everyone as Elle sings to Find My Way. Finally Elle proposes to Emmett.
This musical is fun, and very positive. Elle Woods undergoes a dramatic change from blond bimbo to a cool and professional lawyer with a great fashion sense. The music is fun and upbeat, keeping the story going and making audiences smile at the same time. Many of the characters start out as stereotypes, but most change into individual personalities by the end of the show. There are lots of laughs, and there is a wonderful message about being yourself, no matter the obstacles. It’s a great musical for girls of all ages, and guys will like it too. I highly recommend this musical as a break from the ordinary. After all – it’s fun to be blonde!