Review: LEGALLY BLONDE Offers a Frolicking Good Time for Everyone!

I have to admit I had never seen the 2001 MGM movie, Legally Blonde before seeing LEGALLY BLONDE The Musical at the Morgan-Wixson Theatre in Santa Monica. And I am happy to say it is great fun for all ages in every aspect from the effervescent musical numbers presented by the remarkably energetic cast to the over-the-top bright pink costumes designed by Kristie Rutledge.

Director/Musical Director Anne Gesling and choreographer Lauren Blair surely spent hours on end putting together the many incredibly intricate musical numbers, including the momentous "What You Want," Elle's video essay to get into Harvard, which includes at least 3 set changes, several costume changes by dozens of cast members, and many types of dance from tap to jazz. That 12-minute number alone is worth the price of admission on its own!

For those not familiar with the plot, this fabulously fun international award-winning musical follows the transformation of Malibu Barbie Blonde but sharp as a tack Elle Woods (Katie McConaughy) as she tackles stereotypes, snobbery, and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. Elle appears to have it all. On the night she and her sorority sisters are ready for her engagement to long-time boyfriend Warner Huntington III (Christopher Tiernan), instead he dumps her so he can start getting serious about his life and attend Harvard Law.

Determined to get him back, Elle uses her charms to get into Harvard Law where she struggles with peers, professors, and her ex-boyfriend who is now engaged to stuffy East Coast socialite Vivienne (Alicia Reynolds). With the help of her beautician Paulette (Angelica Roqué) and fellow law student Emmett (Brandon Stanford), though, Elle quickly realizes her potential and sets out to prove herself to the world using her brains as well as her beauty. Each of these lead actors masterfully handles the many scenes and songs, working together to create an atmosphere of serious fun, determination, fear and pure joy when success comes their way.

Other actors of note in the show include Michael Heimos as smarmy Professor Calahan, Lauren Blair as defendant Brooke Wyndham, Steven Weber as the hysterically macho Kyle (the UPS delivery man), Steven Flowers who has two marvelously over-the-top cameos as a Rastafarian and Nikos the Pool Boy, and Amy Coles as Pilar, Brittany Sindicich as Serena, and Nicole Stier as Margot, the talented trio who sing back-up for many of Elle's songs. Special kudos to the adorable Boone Reynolds, a Morkie who barks his lines on cue as Elle's four-legged sidekick Bruiser Woods.

A big musical like LEGALLY BLONDE is a perfect fit for the Morgan-Wixson's large stage area which allows for big production numbers to cover a lot of ground. Set designer Thomas A. Brown has managed to create all the different places using moveable scenery quickly positioned by cast members, with William Wilday's color-coordinated lighting design especially noteworthy during "Blood on the Water" and "Ireland."

While the show seems on the surface to be all fluff and no substance, that is far from the truth. There are deep-rooted lessons that teach young girls to stand up for themselves and not to let other people dictate their lives for them. The value of study over partying is also stressed as is not judging "a book by its cover," good lessons for all young people everywhere who wish to succeed by their own merits. But don't worry about all that and just go and enjoy the merriment of this entertaining and incredibly rosy musical.

LEGALLY BLONDE with Book by Heather Hach, Music and Lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin, continues through August 1, 2015 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm at the Morgan-Wixson Theatre, 2627 Pico Boulevard (Pico @ 27th Street), Santa Monica, CA 90405 Reserved seats start at $25 online at www.morgan-wixson.org or call the theatre
box office at 310-828-7519.

Photos by R. Adam Trent

Christopher Tiernan (Warner) and Katie McConaughy (Elle) getting "Serious"

Elle's musical personal essay to get into Harvard

Katie McConaughy (Elle) and her dog Bruiser, played by Boone Reynolds

Elle and the Ensemble - "So Much Better"

Lauren Blair (Brooke) gets her jailmates "Whipped Into Shape"

Steven Weber (Kyle)

The cast of Legally Blonde