LEGALLY BLONDE, THE MUSICAL—La Mirada Theatre & McCoy Rigby Entertainment
- TheShowReport
- 2 days ago
- 8 min read
Updated: 15 minutes ago
Each scene is a showy, vivid, riot of color (mostly pink), lionizing a spunky, effervescent young woman who uses academia as a springboard to romance.
Flossing between songs is recommended for anyone who attends LEGALLY BLONDE, THE MUSICAL, the nonstop sugar rush of a show that opened Saturday night at La Mirada Theatre in La Mirada, playing now through May 18th.
Exploding on the stage with memorable songs and dynamic dances, beginning with the rousing, high energy number “Omigod You Guys,” the show is equal parts hilarious and heart-warming. Boasting a spunky, talented ensemble (who seem to drink a lot of Red Bull), LEGALLY BLONDE is so much fun it should be illegal!
It was way back in 2001 when Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon playing the lead in the film) decided she was going to try to win back the man who dumped her by attending law school with him at Harvard. Yes, we all know it's much harder for the rest of us to get into Harvard Law School than it is for the charmed Elle Woods, but to ask her to live by the same laws of physics…well, let’s just say Elle is the definition of not judging a law book by its cover.
And now, La Mirada Theatre and McCoy Rigby Entertainment has brought the Olivier award-winning musical LEGALLY BLONDE to La Mirada Theatre as part of their Broadway series group. The musical is based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture, with music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin and a book by Heather Hach. The show is directed with hyperkinetic effusiveness by Cynthia Ferrer, colorfully choreographed by Dana Solimando and musically directed by the consummate Ryan O’Connell (conducting a 13-piece orchestra).
Reprising the show is none other than the bubbly, blonde bombshell Kathryn Brunner ("Cinderella;" Mamma Mia!") as Elle Woods, taking you from the sorority house, to Harvard, to the halls of justice playing women’s brightest heroine. This is a musical all about Elle, her designer duds, her love of manicures, her bonhomie, her pluckiness, and, of course, her "growth" as a person.
Elle’s a Gemini with a double Capricorn moon, a Sigma Sweetheart, president of Delta Nu sorority and founder of the charity “Shop for a Cause,” and Ms. Brunner makes you believe they are one and the same for over two and a half hours. In Elle’s rapid rise to attorney extraordinaire, you’re always rooting for this “believe in yourself” Malibu Barbie as she tackles stereotypes, preppy snobs and lecherous tutors in pursuit of her dreams. And a double treat: Ms. Brunner not only captures Elle’s innate sweetness and adorable charm perfectly, but she has a phenomenal soprano voice with the innate talent to pull off quick-witted humor besides.
As for the charmingly caddish Warner (Nicholas McDonough), he sees the sparkle, but it's not enough. As the scion of a wealthy East Coast family, he ditches sorority queen Elle just when she thinks he’s going to propose, because he's headed to Harvard Law and needs a more "serious" girlfriend. "I need a Jackie, not a Marilyn," he tells the bewildered Elle.
Dumped but not completely down, she comes up with a plan to win him back with the help of her Delta Nu Sorority girls and decides she'll go to Harvard, too. I mean, like, how hard could it be to get in, right?
Bowled over by her application, Harvard gets more than it bargains for when she decides to forgo the required essay and do a very pink flash mob razzle-dazzle in song ("What You Want"). “Pink is my signature color,” she perkily announces. And just like that, she’s in.
At first, her preoccupation in winning Warner back becomes a distraction to her studies, but mostly it’s his new fiancée, Vivienne (Anna Mintzer), a smart, sassy overachiever-type law student. Her manicurist, Paulette (Anthea Neri-Best), becomes her only new friend, who she runs to for solace.
Paulette fancies the smooth-talking UPS man (played by Nathan Madden) and her ex-husband is, to put it lightly, something of an uncultured lout (also, interestingly enough, is played by Mr. Madden). Nonetheless, Ms. Neri-Best’s Paulette is hilarious, brash, happy and has a style all of her own as she commiserates with Elle over their lost loves. Elle teaches Paulette how to get a man with “Bend and Snap,” a bend-at-the-waist-stick-out-your-fanny dance routine that should probably come with a disclaimer if you’re over 40, but the number had the audience rolling in their seats.
Luckily, with much help from her clear-sighted new friend Emmett Forrest (Michael Thomas Grant), assistant to the delightfully sleazy Professor Callahan, personified by the versatile Edward Staudenmayer, she’ll get down to business. She plans to nab a prestigious law internship with the prickly Callahan. Mr. Staudenmayer’s version of “Blood in the Water” with the ensemble was peerless.
Later, Emmett not only becomes her mentor/tutor, but he eventually falls for her, expressing his silken-voiced love in the signature song, “Legally Blonde.” The men’s store scene in Act 2 where Emmett is refashioned with a new raging suit by Elle, replacing his raveled schmattes and worn corduroys, was a bundle of fun (“Take It Like a Man”).
Adding do the levity are the militant sapphist/activist law student Enid, played by Dahlya Glick and the would-be king frat-boy Grandmaster Chad (depicted by Rodrigo Varandas). Also Grant Hodges is probably the closest you’ll ever get to seeing Thurston Howell III on stage; he plays Elle’s Dad on the golf course as well as Winthrop at Harvard admissions. Both parts are quite hilarious. The part of Elle’s mom (a polished, pragmatic and picture-perfect role model) is by Rochelle Scudder.
From the opening number to the closing megamix, the commitment and energy from the entire cast is impressive, not least of which was Jane Papageorge as Brooke, a beautifully aging Deltu Nu sorority sister who is accused of murdering her wealthy husband. Ms. Papageorge's athleticism and simultaneous vocal ability is joyously baffling in her high energy, “Whipped into Shape,” spotlighting, along with Callahan, a multi-cast of amazingly dexterous rope-jumpers who exhibited exact timing while belting out their ballad — a mouth-opening wonder of achievement.
The court room trial segment, however, which featured strong vocals from Elle, Callahan, Emmett, Brooke, Vivienne, Warner, Enid, the Judge (Krystle Rose Simmons), Nikos (also Mr. Varandas) and Carlos (Antony Sanchez) was one of the most uproarious moments in the show and a real work of art. Hinging on Elle’s “gaydar abilities,” which requires outing a gay man in court in order to win a case, the scene was topped off with the controversial show centerpiece, “There! Right There!,” producing rolling in the aisles laughter, especially when Carlos has all he can take and blows the scam with his show-stopping outtro on the end. “No matter what he say - I sware he never ever, ever swing the other way - You are so gay - You big parfait! - You flaming one man cabaret!”
The top-tier 28-member cast included the well-trained Little Ricky, an adorable Chihuahua playing Bruiser, who has undeniable stage presence and, apparently, has never missed a cue in over eight years. But special accolades go to the sorority sisters, who will literally do anything for Elle, and all look like they are fresh out of central casting for cheerleaders. They are remarkably portrayed by Grace Simmons as man-hungry Margot, Bella Hicks as outspoken, spunky Serena and Aurelia Michael as Pilar, the sensible, sassy one. Also featured is Rianny Vasquez’ Kate, the brainiest and quirkiest sorority sister in Delta Nu and also helped Elle prepare for the LSAT. The girls also play the Greek Chorus, and are center stage on many of the production’s main numbers.
With its pink-dominated color scheme and matching cherry-soda score of ballads of self-empowerment, LEGALLY BLONDE is infused on every level with the message that it’s really O.K. to be a princess. Never mind that its content defies modern social consciousness and plays on a multitude of stereotypes: ditsy blondes, shallow sorority girls, trailer park blue collar, blood-thirsty lawyers, gays, lesbians, and even UPS delivery men. Forget that the plot is improbable to its core. None of that matters. If I were to give a closing argument, I would say that you would be hard pressed to experience more fun in the span of two and a half hours than you would anywhere else right now.
LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & MCCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT, PRESENTS: LEGALLY BLONDE, THE MUSICAL; Music & Lyrics by LAURENCE O’KEEFE and NELL BENJAMIN; Book by HEATHER HACH; Based on the novel by AMANDA BROWN and the METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER motion picture; Directed by CYNTHIA FERRER; Music Direction by RYAN O’CONNELL; Choreography by DANA SOLIMANDO; Set & Scenery Rental by FRONT ROW THEATRICAL RENTAL; Costume Designer ADAM RAMIREZ; Lighting Designer ANNE E. MCMILLS; Sound Designer JOSH BESSOM; Properties Designer KEVIN WILLIAMS; Hair/Wig/Makeup Designer KAITLIN YAGEN; Projection Designer JONATHAN INFANTE; Technical Director KEVIN CLOWES; Company Manager DAVID NESTOR; Production Stage Manager BREE SHERRY; Assistant Stage Managers KATHERINE BARRETT & SAMI HANSEN; Producing Artistic Director BT MCNICHOLL; Executive Producers TOM MCCOY and CATHY RIGBY.
STARRING: KATHRYN BRUNNER, MICHAEL THOMAS GRANT, ANTHEA NERI-BEST, EDWARD STAUDENMAYER, DAHLER GLICK, BELLA HICKS, AURELIA MICHAEL, ANNA MINTZER, JANE PAPAGEORGE, GRACE SIMMONS, NICHOLAS MCDONOUGH, RIANNY VASQUEZ, ROCHELLE SCUDDER, KRYSTLE ROSE SIMMONS, NATHAN MADDEN, RODRIGO VARANDAS (Dance Captain), GRANT HODGES, JABARI, ANTONY SANCHEZ, DONOVAN MENDELOVITZ, TAYLER METTRA, LITTLE RICKY, CRISTYN DANG, BAILY RENEE MILLER, CALLULA SAWYER, DAVON RASHAWN, BEN RAANAN, EMMY J. LANE.
LEGALLY BLONDE will run APRIL 25 – MAY 18, 2025 at La Mirada Theatre 14900 La Mirada Boulevard La Mirada, CA 90638; Run Time: 2 hours, 25 min with one 15 min intermission. Performances are Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 2pm & 8pm, Sundays at 1:30pm & 6:30pm. For Tickets, call (714) 994-6310 | (562) 944-9801 or visit www.lamiradatheatre.com
Chris Daniels
Arts & Entertainment Reviewer
The Show Report
Photo Credits: Jason Niedle/TETHOS
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