Legally Blonde Verdict is a Bright Theatrical Future

by Sharon Falduto

Coralville—City Circle Acting Company’s Legally Blonde is a fun, upbeat evening of cotton candy colored entertainment. This is City Circle’s 6th teen summer musical, and some of these talented kids already have a great deal of theatrical experience. It’s a credit to all of their acting chops, as well as Brett Myers’ directing, that all of the characters knew who they were in each scene. Even the extras blended into each scene, whether they were portraying background sorority girls or background law students.

Legally Blonde actually began life as a novel, was adapted into a movie starring Reese Witherspoon, and then became a Broadway musical. It’s more difficult these days to make an original musical, so producers are going to established name brands such as The Wedding Singer and The Producers; such is the case with this Laurence O’Keefe musical.

The titular blondie is Elle Woods, president of her sorority, who is all set to get engaged to her boyfriend Warner. The show begins with the insanely catchy “Omigod You Guys,” a perfect introduction to our characters. Instead of proposing, Elle’s boyfriend Warner drops her as he heads off for law school, telling her that in order to be successful, he needs a wife who is “less of a Marilyn and more of a Jackie.” So she decides to follow him to Harvard Law, setting aside her partying ways so she can pass the LSAT and be accepted. Instead of a personal essay, she arrives in front of the Harvard acceptance committee with a backing group of cheerleaders and dancers, who sing that she is “what Harvard wants” in a spectacle of sequins with a driving marching band beat, and that she needs to get in for reasons of love. Though the head of the acceptance committee is hesitant, his two young flunkies let her in for reasons of “cultural diversity,” and of course because she’s a cute blonde.

The set, by Jenn Tillapaugh, was amazing in its simplicity and versatility. It featured two levels and, though I’m pretty sure it only had two sides, the set rotated to reveal several different backgrounds: the sorority house, a Harvard classroom, a courthouse, stairs, windows, and doors. My favorite set piece was the judge’s bench and witness stand, which revolved to reveal—a toilet.

Ryan Forbes Shellady as Professor Callahan kept a calm, cool demeanor, managing to convey a sense of authority over the rest of the kids despite being a high schooler just like the rest of them. Adam Jedlicka played Emmett, the T.A. who helps Elle study and, naturally, falls in love with her. His stooped shoulders and spiky hair conveyed “schlubby scholarship kid” very well, and his passion during his song “Chip on My Shoulder” was strong and clear. Hannah Rublaitus played Paulette, the hair salon worker who helps Elle stay true to her roots and who longs for a love that reminds her of “Ireland.”

Victoria Vaughn’s Elle is a rising star; I couldn’t believe she played both Penny in City Circle’s Hairspray and Marian the Librarian in Regina’s production of The Music Man. The role of Elle allowed her to showcase both types of personalities, as she transitioned from ditzy blonde to a more Marian-like Harvard student.

Leslie Nolte’s choreography was lively, fitting, and fun; each dance scene moved and shook and created engaging visual displays. “What You Want” and “Bend and Snap” were particularly delightful numbers.

Lots of fun details add up to make a delightful, lightweight show. I loved the “Greek chorus” who attend to Elle during her time of tragedy—that is, a chorus of her Greek sorority sisters who appear in all white and comment on the action while also moving it along. I especially enjoyed the way they heralded the passing of time by wearing Pilgrim hats and humming “Simple Gifts” to show that it’s November and then carrying a snowflake bedecked “December” sign. Some of the best moments were small moments, like when a partying student with his tie wrapped around his head sang a Jamaican-tinged chorus of the song “What You Want” while Elle is studying for her LSAT. The cast also included two adorable dogs, as Elle’s pet Bruiser and Paulette’s dog Rufus.

I did, at times, have some trouble following the words, as the orchestra overwhelmed the singers. This only rarely happened, though, and the orchestra was wonderful. I really can’t believe there were only nine of them.

It’s a treat to watch these talented kids, and a shame that this show runs only one weekend. These young people ensure a bright future for our local community theaters, as well as the theaters they will infuse with their talent as they move on with their lives.

Legally Blonde has one more showing, today, Sun 7/29, 2:00 p.m. at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts.