You may have read the book and you probably have seen the movie - maybe even a bunch of times. But Judy Russell's 2018 summertime production of Legally Blonde: The Musical packs a hot pink punch that might just send you rushing home to update your wardrobe or practice your "bend and snap" like it's 2001 all over again.
In fact, it feels like yesterday that the movie-version of the book written by Amanda Brown came out, but watching the musical version got me thinking about how much the world has changed since the summer of 2001. And I couldn't help but note that just earlier this year Judy Russell gave us a brilliant rendition of the classic Cabaret - tackling the unsettling superficiality and decadence of Berlin pre-Second World War, and now, Legally Blonde, from a later, but similarly light-hearted era, that came out literally moments before the world changed on September 11, 2001 (the movie version was released in July 2001 and was still playing in theatres on that dark day in history).
Even the stage design of the Russell production (which relies heavily on lighting and projections to quite brilliantly create mood and near-perpetual scene changes) reminded me of a vanity mirror, letting us in the audience reflect back on who we were at the turn of the century and consider how much our world has changed in such a relatively short period of time.
The extended Russell family members have their uber-talented hands all over this production - from directing, to stage and light design, to choreography, and even on-stage talent. Kudos to them for crafting together this surprisingly complex and challenging production here in our local community theatre.
It is a high octane performance that features a talented (and large) cast that might very well be hopped-up on Red Bulls (an inside joke for those who see the show), just to get through all the high-energy songs and routines, in this show that clocks in at just over two hours of performance time.
The storyline follows the movie plot almost to the letter. California-based fashionista Elle Woods makes a dramatic (and quite improbable) career turn after being dumped by her college boyfriend Warner.
Leaving Malibu behind she enrolls at Harvard Law School in an attempt to win back Warner, who has now started seeing the East-Coast posh socialite Vivienne.
By the end, not only is Elle no longer judged as a ditzy blonde, but she cracks a high profile legal case and finds true love.
Legally Blonde really is a ramped up, feel-good musical, based on a feel-good film and book. And why not? The over-the-top musical numbers and catchy lyrics add a sweet layer to an already candy-like story. It's a delightful, albeit a tad camp, energetic, guilty pleasure designed for a young-at-heart adult audience.
Straight away, I must recognize music director Robin Noman and band leader Curtis Abriel who both have done great work in showing the cast and band the ropes on this surprising complex score. As a full-on musical, there are not many breaks between songs and dance routines. Robin has taken a rather young group of community theatre members and has made them sound polished and confident, along with the band that exceptionally performs a highly technical and nuanced musical score. There are times when some of the younger voices have to compete with the band for attention, but Jon Russell does an exceptional job of using his technological expertise to balance it all out for us in the mix.
Now about the cast.
I have to say that the female lead artists carry the production and we really do see a collection of alpha girls on stage. Shelby Meaney knocks the role of Elle right out of the park. She literally goes and goes and goes for the entire two hours. She is cute, yet dynamic, and has a powerhouse of a voice. She rocks all of her costume changes, and in her heels, she nails her mark everywhere she stands on stage. The same goes for all the supporting cast, especially Catherine Hansen as hairdresser Paulette and Laura Heagy as murder suspect Brooke. Women rule in world of Legally Blonde and the quality of talent on stage here in Prince George stays true to this law.
The male leads do right by their roles, but let's face it - in the Legally Blonde world, men tend to be morons, or sexual predators, or gay stereotypes or nerds vying for attention from sorority girls. But I was really impressed with the quality of the singing of both Franco Celli as Warner and Padraig Hogan as Emmett. Both men aptly hold their own beside their strong female counterparts and have talents that should lead to enjoyable and successful stage careers.
I also appreciated seeing so many faces of well-known community members giving up their summers to entertain local audiences so superbly. Champions of the arts such as Matt Russell, Sandra Claremont and Cindy Marcotte, give it their best, all while supporting our local arts scene.
The remainder of the supporting cast also add more super-charged energy and pizzazz to the show. I loved the effervescent Delta Nus and the tongue-in-cheek Greek Chorus made me howl with laughter. These incredibly talented local youth, channeling their energy into local musical theatre, make our community proud, just as I am sure they make their families proud.
At the end of the night, as both the human and canine stars took their bows, I walked away feeling not only a bit nostalgic for the fun 'ole days of pre-9-11, but I was left wondering how well we are being served by the brand of political correctness in mode these days and the culture of combativeness that has evolved out of the dust of 2001.
For example, there are some components of Legally Blonde that were quite progressive in 2001, but now sadly seem out-of-date - or even borderline inappropriate - in today's politically correct context. Songs like Gay Or European and the notion that someone can be both a powder puff and a power broker feminist, present as ideas that would probably be shouted down within the new, radicalized, world order.
But in the world of community musical theatre, it is still OK to escape for one night to a time and place of confetti and glitter and laughter, with a professional quality theatrical production that is truly on par with larger urban centres. Get your tickets to this show, before it sells out. Legally Blonde: The Musical runs until July 28, with tickets at centralinteriortickets.com.
