TV: An 'Elle' of a Chat with Legally Blonde's Bailey Hanks

Bailey Hanks won the MTV competition "The Search For The New Elle Woods" making her the new successor to Laura Bell Bundy in the role of Elle Woods. On July 23rd, 2008 Bailey took the stage for her Broadway debut, but before that huge step she shared a table at Sardi's with BroadwayWorld TV to discuss all the excitement!

On Monday, June 2, 2008, MTV premiered the reality show "Legally Blonde The Musical: The Search for Elle Woods" to find a talented singer/actress/ dancer to take over for Broadway star and Tony Nominee Laura Bell Bundy. Thousands of talented young women came from across the country to make their dream a reality-as MTV and Legally Blonde The Musical teamed up to find Broadway's new Elle Woods. After what might have been the toughest audition in Broadway history-comprising two months of workshops, training sessions, challenge after challenge and arduous eliminations-one talented young women stood out from the crowd: Bailey Hanks, the 20-yr old Southern charmer who scored the coveted lead of Elle Woods with her dancing, singing and acting skills. Not only was she cast in her dream role, she also recorded the hit single "So Much Better", produced by Ghostlight, now available on iTunes.com and Amazon.com.

The musical opened on Broadway at the Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway, between 46th and 47th Streets) on April 29, 2007 following preview performances that began on April 3, 2007.At the helm of the creative team of Legally Blonde is Tony Award-winner Jerry Mitchell, who makes his Broadway directorial debut and also choreographs. Music and lyrics are by both Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin, and the book is by Heather Hach.James Sampliner serves as music director.

Legally Blonde THE MUSICAL earned seven 2007 Tony Award nominations, ten 2007 Drama Desk Award Nominations, a 2007 Outer Critics Circle Award and the chorus of the musical was honored by Actors' Equity Association's Advisory Committee on Chorus Affairs (ACCA) with the first ever ACCA Award.The musical also ranked in the top ten list of the most requested Ticketmaster "Arts & Theatre Events" for 2007.

Legally Blonde is produced on Broadway by Hal Luftig, Fox Theatricals and Dori Berinstein, in association with MGM Onstage, Darcie Denkert and Dean Stolber.

All tickets ($121.50-$41.50) can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com, by phone at 212-307-4100, or in person at the Palace Theatre box office, 1564 Broadway. The performance schedule is Wednesday - Saturday at 8pm, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 2pm and Sunday at 7pm.

For more information on Bailey or Legally Blonde The Musical please visit www.legallyblondethemusical.com

Video shot and edited by E. Matthew Cady