Review: LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL is an Outstanding Production at New Tampa Players

Ohmigod, you guys- the earworm that stays with you long after curtain call, that you find yourself looking for on Spotify on the drive home, but turn it off because it doesn't hold a candle to this version - is also my reaction to New Tampa Players' production of the musical Legal Blonde The Musical. This show is brilliant and Chelsie Camaro Smith proves she has star power!

Chelsie is flawless. She gives such heart to the UCLA sorority girl that follows her true love to Harvard that you can't help but fall in love during her journey from what the world expects her to be to the moment she becomes who SHE wants to be. It also helps that the actress is a triple-threat - actress, dancer, and incredible vocalist. Some of her high notes just make you go 'wow.'

This season I have been blessed with not seeing one bad musical and Legal Blonde The Musical is no exception.

It's campy fun with incredible choreography by Jarrett W. Koski and has these voices that make you sit up and take notice. From exceptional casting, subtle set changes that simply feel organic to the production, live music that doesn't overpower to lighting that conveys a scene change with color, every choice is masterfully executed. Even the dog actors are adorable and well-behaved.

I'd love to call out everyone individually for their superb high-energy performance, but then this supposed to be a somewhat short review. Suffice to say Nancy Sears, Nora Paine, G. Frank Meekins, Chelsie, Brad Roberts, Kristy Noel Carlson, James Faurote, Tim Curran, Melissa Doell, Darrah Barsness, Hillary Lusignan, Emily Shumaker, Lexi Balestrieri, Zoe Donofrio, Piper Allen, Reagan Farmer, Melissa Ordeneaux, Britny Cuilty, Anna Morris, Israel Rivera, Nikki Yuse, Alexander Alfonso, Erik Schepman, Tara Duffy, Melissa Ordeneaux, Raymond Brady Lay, Kelly Nowicki, Gillian Isibue, Amanda Solberg, Alexander Graulau, Alexis Jones, Erica Speranza, Christopher Gorman, Taylor Hendershot, Diana Diaz, Kay Brown, Diana Paty, Olivia Pfister, Aisheeda Benjamin, Melissa Vinnedge, Caleb James King and Michael Schreiner have created something to really be proud of.

I particularly love that director Nancy Sears didn't make Elle's true love Warner a total villain. If you've seen the movie, you know Warner is a pompous ass who breaks Elle's heart. Nancy and actor Brad Roberts keep Warner authentic. His decision, though still shallow, seems to be influenced more by family expectations and he still is a likeable character. You didn't get that in the movie version.

Elle's introduction to Harvard life is through meeting Emmett (James Faurote), Aaron (Alexander Alfonso), Padamadan (Israel Rivera) and Enid (Nikki Yuse). "The Harvard Variations" was a fun song and Nikki's staccato, rap-like performance was one of my favorite moments, not sung by Elle.

Besides having a beautiful voice, Tim Curran brought depth to Professor Callahan, a character that was boring in the film. His transformation to the skeevy older guy that hits on a college girl brought vividly to life the current #metoo movement.

Elle's nemesis and Warner's new girlfriend Vivienne Kensington is played to snooty, button-upped perfection by Anna Morris, who also has an incredible set of pipes.

James Faurote plays Emmett like a perfectly fitted suit. His transformation from looking like a geeky professor-want-to-be with patches on elbows of his sweater to a self-assured lawyer is fun to watch. He's another gorgeous voice and "Chip on My Shoulder" and the duet of "Legally Blonde" between he and Chelsie is magical.

Speaking of magic, you cannot talk about Elle without talking about her Greek sisters, especially Melissa Doell, Hillary Lusignan, and Darrah Barsness. Of course, they hit outstanding notes and dance so well, but along with the ensemble, they genuinely look like they are having the best time of their lives. I so want to be Delta Nu sister! Like I said in the beginning "Omigod You Guys" won't leave my brain.

Elle's confidante and hairdresser Paulette played by Kristy Noel Carlson simply owned the stage. The conclusion of "Bend and Snap" with the sexy UPS guy (Erik Schepman) was met by the loudest applause I heard that evening - besides the well-deserved standing ovation.

The cast just outdid themselves, especially during Brooke's "Whipped into Shape." Brittny Cuilty, I just want to know - how do you sing and do jump rose without missing a step or losing your breath?

Congratulations to the cast and crew of Legal Blonde The Musical. This is an exceptional feel-good production that left me with a huge smile on my face, a new appreciation of the color pink (ironically the color of empowerment for women) ... and an earworm.

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