Legally Blonde Is, Like, Entertaining To the Max!

By James E. Trainor III
Photos by Richie Akers

Lauren Galliart (l) as Elle Woods

Cedar Rapids - Omigod! Elle Woods (Lauren Galliart) has just been dumped by her boyfriend! Apparently the Malibu-bred president of Delta Nu is not "Serious" enough for the Harvard-bound Warner (Tim Arnold). He'd prefer someone a little more refined; someone named Muffy, or perhaps Vivienne (Amy Willett). But Elle's determined to keep it "Positive;" she's going to chase Warner to the east coast and prove that she has what it takes by enrolling in Harvard. All you need is love, right?

Well, not quite. It turns out law school is really hard work. And Elle, who shows up to class dressed entirely in pink and carrying her chihuahua, has to work extra hard to get people to take her seriously. But with the help of Emmett (Zach Parker), she gets a "Chip on Her Shoulder", buckles down, and shows what she can do while still being true to her roots.

It sounds like a cheesy premise, and it is, a bit. But Legally Blonde avoids many of the traps of musicals based on popular movies, with a tight book and energetic, infectious songs. The lyrics are simplistic but funny, and more importantly they keep the story moving right along. And Elle's story, silly as it is, is inspiring to anyone who's ever struggled to learn a new skill. TCR's production is fairly strong: it realizes the show well with some exciting choreography, a very flexible set, and some great acting from the lead.

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.

Legally Blonde Opens July 27

Coralville - City Circle's season begins with Legally Blonde, a musical by Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin (book by Heather Hach).

Legally Blonde tells the story of sorority girl Elle Woods, who, spurred on by a boyfriend who dumps her because she's not "serious" enough, decides to join Harvard Law School. The play is performed by local youth under the direction of Brett Meyers.

Legally Blonde runs July 27 - 29 (7:30 Friday & Saturday, 2:00 Sunday), at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are $22-27 ($17 seniors/students; $12 children).

Cast List for Legally Blonde Announced

City Circle - The cast list has been announced for this summer's production of Legally Blonde by Nell Benjamin and Laurence O'Keefe. City Circle's production is directed by Brett Myers.

Delta Nu
Elle: Victoria Vaughn
Margot: Erin Helm
Serena: Ashlee Waters
Pilar: Grace Larew
Kate: Amy Ostrem
Gaelen: Alison DeVore
Leilani: Victoria Zhu

Harvard
Emmett: Adam Jedlicka
Callahan: Ryan Shellady
Warner: Tyler Jensen
Vivienne: Katelyn Swearingen
Enid: Madison Voigt
Aaron: Nicolas Wagner
Padamadan: Megan Clements
Whitney: Natalie Jones
Winthrop: Ted Brown
Lowell: Jake Keating
Pforzheimer: Mitchell Finger

Court
Brooke: Amber Slader-Scott
Judge: Amy Ostrem
D.A. Joyce Riley/Chutney: Grace Huber
Court Stenographer: Madison Davenport
Nikos: David Rudolph
Carlos: David Maize
TV Reporter: Makayla Phillips

Retail
Paulette: Hannah Rublaitus
Saleswoman/Padamadan: Megan Clements
Store Manager: Genevieve Wisdom
Cashier: Abbie DeWild
H&H Salesgirl: Keely Lanaghan
Bookish Client: Hanna Yowell
Kiki: Kailey Barber

Frat Boys
Chad: David Maize
Kailey Barber, Grace Huber, Jake Keating, David Rudolph

Other

Kyle: David Maize
Elle’s Mom: Abbie DeWild
Elle’s Dad: Nicolas Wagner
Dewey/Guard: Mitchell Finger
Jet Blue Pilot: Makayla Phillips
Dana: Cat Rudolph

Legally Blonde opens July 27 at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts.

Auditions for Legally Blonde May 26

City Circle - Legally Blonde, Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin's musical based on the 2001 film, is opening at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts in July. On May 26, City Circle welcomes any students grades 7-12 (or graduating this year) to audition.

Actors should prepare a brief contemporary comedic monologue and bring the sheet music for at least 16 bars of a Broadway show tune. Contact CCLegallyBlonde@gmail.com to schedule an audition time or to ask additional questions.

There will also be a dance workshop on May 10 hosted by Nolte Dance Studios and City Circle. The workshop is at Nolte's studios in the Clock Tower Plaza in Coralville from 7:30 - 9:00. There is no cost to attend.