Legally Blonde Final SF Preview Review

[sing_dance_love]

Posted: 2/5/07 at 6:02am

Ok, so i saw it. And i was beyond excited because i had tickets for like the back of the balcony and when i was in the will-call line this really nice man explained to me that his friend couldn't make it and asked if i wanted his ticket. Which was in the 4th row. Almost center. I almost threw up i was so excited. Anyway, to the show:

So my overall impression was that it was aaaaallmost ready for Broadway, and with some tweaks and changes will be pretty spectacular. The show was ridiculously high energy, which it HAS to be for it to work at all. The sets were all very pleasant and sophisticated (the restaurant one in "Serious" was beautiful) but they weren't anything TOO special. The Choreography is inventive and very very modern, but theres really not as much dancing as you might expect in Jerry Mitchell's big debut as a direc. and choreo. (Though the "Whipped Into Shape" dance is one of the most killer things you'll see in a while). The book is good. Thats where i think there needs to be work. I loved all the changes they made from the movie, and the things they kept but i think they tried a little too hard to paste some scenes directly from the movie that really don't advance the plot in any way but have a memorable line from the movie. Overall, the book is very witty and current with today's pop culture, and in general is very funny. Ok I'll move on to specifics now:

*Possible Spoilers*

The Score- I thought the score was the best part of the show, the songs are varied and upbeat enough to keep the story moving. The lyrics usually aren't amazing but are very relevant to whataever scene the song is about. (except in "blood...water" and "there! right there!" where i thought they were incredibly witty). But nearly every song, FOR ME, had an interesting melody that translated to popular music today but still rooted in musical theater. Much stronger score than i expected.

OMGYG: A perfect opening for the show. High High energy, fun, very pink, exactly what you'd expect for Legally Blonde. Though the opening with the windows was a little "sunny side to every situation" or "telephone hour" for me.

Serious: Nice. Thats pretty much it. Wasn't my favorite, wasn't particularly inventive, or funny or touching, but worked perfectly for the scene and was a great showcase for Richard.

What You Want: VERY high energy. Lots of fun, again just perfect for the scene, strong choreography and sychronization from the cast, memorable hook.

Harvard Variations: Good expression of how different the world of Harvard is from anywhwere Elle has been, funny lyrics, not particularly memorable but its pretty short anyway.

Blood in the Water: I though t it was excellent. I'm guessing its been significantly shortened, based on comments i've heard before, and can still be a little shorter, but is winningly performed by Mr. Rupert and wonderfully captures the character as a charmer with some nasty nasty tricks up his sleeve, and warning of the cutthroat nature of law. Again, should be shortened slightly still because the jazzy nature can become slighly boring after such an upbeat number like "what you want". Great ending.

Love and War: First number with the Greek chorus (which i thought was a very funny twist and could have been so silly and obvious and stupid but was done so well it came off as very clever). Showcase for the three main deltas, fun hip hoppy choreography, very infectious hook, weak ending.

Ireland: SO funny. Comes complestely out of nowhere, which is later noted by Paulette, but is winningly sung and tells you a lot about Paulette, again, weak ending, but very fun and different from anything in the show before it.

Chip On My Shoulder: Definately long as it kind of weaves around a montage of Elle and Emmett studying over the months as Elle buckles down to become more serious. However, i think it really worked in that respect, and i can't think of another way to tell that part of the story without it. Perfect showcase for Mr. Borle, very very sweet melody and lyrics, but keeps moving so it doesn't as long as it is, Great great ending Christain and the chorus.

So Much Better: Just love it. I've loved the song since the demo (which its been changed a lot from an shortened significantly). Again the story of the whole show, lots and lots of energy, Laura and the cast seemed to really be having fun, POWERFULLY sung by Laura, she was definately confident here, and perfect end to the act

Whipped Into Shape: Wow. Just you need to see it. I don't even want to ruin it. So much fun, so cool choreography. Nikki Snelson is beyond talented.

Take It Like A Man: A slightly mediocre song greatly helped by the conviction of the actors and the staging. Very fun scene's lead-in puts you in a good mood so you're bound to enjoy it. Quite well sung.

Bend and Snap: Fun. Kind of messy staging, it just kind of seemed like there was people everywhere, nice to see Leslie Kritzer get a chance to shine and Orfeh of course. Not as memorable as it should be.

There! Right There!: I mean, it was funny and all, with great hilarious lyrics, but seemed really out of place to me. I don;t really have a good reason, but it just seemed so different from everything else in the show and gave me a weird vibe. And for a show about not judging a book by its cover there were an awful lot of jokes based simply on stereotypes, not just in this number but throughout the show.

Legally Blonde: I think the best number in the show. I know, it suprised me too. I was like oh a sappy ballad with the name of the title, fantastic... but t actually was. It was sweet and mature and kind of perfect in its own pop ballad way. EXCELLENT singing by Laura and Christian, cheesy two sides of a door staging but performed with such real belief by the actors it was genuinely touching. In a show that doesn't have the most compelling material to begin with this number was suprisingly emotional for cast and audience.

The Remix: Fantastic. Kate Shindle sings the crap out of it, fun simple choreography, though i didn't get why Elle needed a flag, Huge excellent finish nice showcase for all main character but i felt should have been a little more of a showcase for Laura. I reaally wanted to hear her go for it again like in "So Much Better".

Finale: All good, not too spectacular, definately where i can see changes happening before bway. Basically the exact ending of the movie but with Omingod you guys, throughout, and just well alright, fun but can be better.

The Cast-

Laura: Fantastic. Fantastic. She carries this huge show on her shoulders. Confident impassioned singing, excellent cominc timing, definately made Elle her own, energetic dancer. Like someone before said, cute as a button. She still has room to grow though in some of the book scenes and small pitch problems but as she continues she'll find some real gold. Excellent, fun, strong performance.

Richard: Meh. Just kind of meh. Though i think i felt that way though, because Warner sings serious, and then for the rest of the show has one random line where he's reacting to something someone else is doing throughout the show. Just not really momorable or exciting, or done particularly well, a lot of "funny" lines didn't really get anything from the audience. might have been an off day though

Christian: I love him now. He's so adorable. I think he needs some more work on really making the character his own and making you want to look at him, but he sings so well and is naturally funny, so it transfers to the charcter. Excellent physicality. And was strangely attractive onstage. I never really saw what Sutton saew in him, but the whole show i kept thinking "he is so adorable. he is so cute. i want him". haha. i don't know.

Orfeh: Very funny, strong voice. I kind of wished she waas in more though. She wasn't as ultra amazing as i had read here, but was quite good. And lets just say, Andy Karl as the ups guy. AMAZING. brilliant. hilarious. i can't even ruin it for you, you just need to see it.

Michael: He suprised me the most, i wasn't expecting too much but his voice is excellent and the minute he came onstage you knew something was dirty about the character, very slimy and lawyery but slick enough for us to believe Elle would admire and like him before his true colors come out.

Kate: Excellent voice. Such a bitch. But could be more of one in her earlier scenes.

Deltas: All Adorble and different, voices didn't bother me, Leslie was my favorite her faces were beyond hilarious.

Nikki: Just wow. her body is sick. Srong strong dance, and stronger voice to go with, A lot of lines ended up kind of flat, but i thought her delivery was excellent i guess it was the timing, got some great laughs near the end.


Yeah, so anyway, i really really liked it. Though the major part that bothered me was the whole bathroom field trip to show up Chutney (don't even get me started on that name. Chutney?) and her perm. Like, what was the point of that? Just for the sight gag of Enid with the perm, that could have done the whole interogation in th court saved us five minutes and still remained believable. Yeah i didn't like that part.

But like i was saying, i think its just really really fun which is always nice to have, and has strong catchy. infectious songs, VERY strong performances. Just needs some cuts in the book scenes, some lyric re-writes, some staging stuff, and i think/hope it poised for real success in bway. Break a leg to everyone involved!

[TWSFan4Ever]

Posted: 2/5/07 at 7:51am

Glad you liked it

[HumATune]

Posted: 2/5/07 at 8:48am

Glad you enjoyed it. I'm sorry you didn't like Richard more. He made me actually feel sorry for the "jerk boyfriend". Warner IS a jerk, but Richard's impression came off as a guy who felt pressured by his family and Vivienne (when she tells him that he's among "his equals") to be something he wasn't.

I actually like how they go to the bathroom. I don’t think the scene would have been as interesting if they stayed in the courtroom.

[danhattan]

Posted: 2/5/07 at 9:15am

Glad you enjoyed it as much as you did. Your comments on the score gave me hope for this show. I'm a huge Larry O'Keefe fan so I've been looking forward to hearing his work in a big new Broadway show. Thanks for the review.

P.S. I've never been a big fan of the guy who plays Richard. He has quite a few credits to his name but never really impresses me when I see him in a show. I missed Saturday Night Fever, maybe that was his best. I guess there is just a real need for men his size/age/look? at auditions.

[TechEverlasting]

Posted: 2/5/07 at 9:50am

Thanks for the thorough review. I'm looking forward to seeing this. One thing I hope they'll reconsider before coming to Broadway is ending the show with a reprise of "Omigod". This doesn't make sense given that Legally Blonde is supposed to be about Elle's character growing and changing. It seems they're just putting her right back where she was at the beginning. Also I think the show has given us PLENTY of that hook after the very long opening number and 1st "Omigod" reprise.

This seems like Hairspray having Tracy come out and sing "Good Morning Baltimore" again at the end of the show.

[HumATune]

Posted: 2/5/07 at 10:18am

Tech, about the Omigod Reprise


**SPOILER



It's actually Emmett who starts it off, so I see it more as Emmett having come full circle. He's still serious as heck, but Elle's good qualities have rubbed off on him and he's mellowed out a bit.

[carymetorent2]

Posted: 2/5/07 at 1:56pm

Dan...I think you mean the guy who plays Warner, and his name is Richard Blake.

I think Richard does an excellent job with what he is given. The three times I saw it, he got a lot of laughs. I love all the little frat boy, immature comments they have him saying. It is very fitting to Warner as a character, but I did feel bad for him at the end.

I can't believe they still haven't cut the trip to the bathroom. It is completely unnecessary, out of place and my biggest problem with the show right now.

Is anyone going that saw it early on in previews? I am dying to know specific changes they made!

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 2/5/07 at 1:57pm

I'm going to be going again early next week, I think.

[carymetorent2]

Posted: 2/5/07 at 2:41pm

excellent! looking forward to your review!

[TWSFan4Ever]

Posted: 2/5/07 at 3:09pm

I'm looking forward to more reviews

[danhattan]

Posted: 2/5/07 at 5:10pm

Cary... Thanks for the correction. I won't judge Richard Blake's performance until I see it of course. Glad you like him in the show. I always want to like him but usually find him mediocre at best. Can't help but think that in all of New York there are other guys who could play these roles. I'll nominate one of my favorites...Cheyenne Jackson!!! That man is just as talented as he is good looking, which is saying a lot!

When does LEGALLY BLONDE officially open? Can't wait to read the reviews!

Best wishes to the cast for a wonderful opening night!

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 2/5/07 at 5:15pm

I believe it opens tomorrow.

[TWSFan4Ever]

Posted: 2/5/07 at 5:21pm

It's tomorrow.

[carymetorent2]

Posted: 2/5/07 at 5:34pm

A lot of times, Richard is not given a lot of material to dazzle with, but he still stands out. Of course, I am a big fan, and to each his own. What have you seen him in?

[danhattan]

Posted: 2/5/07 at 7:56pm

I've seen him in The Wedding Singer twice, Link in Hairspray (too old)and Roger in Rent (not rough or rocker enough for me). I think he also played Radames in Aida at some point. I can actually imagine he would be well suited for that role.

*And all of those roles have plenty of "material to dazzle with."

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 3:36am

Saw it again. They'd made a bunch of changes over the weekend (so I heard at the stage door - since I haven't seen it since the first preview, I'm not sure which are new or not). Laura Bell Bundy forgot her lines during "Take it Like a Man", which was adorable. That song is the only real major revamp I noticed. They changed most of the lyrics, so Emmett is now talking less about shopping and more about how smitten he is with Elle. Honestly, I prefer the old lyrics. The subtext joke makes no sense now. Observe:

Old: Where do I look/boy am I lost/what do I want and how much will it cost? What kind of line have I finally crossed? What's the smell...
(Subtext, by Calvin Klein)

New: What does she want?/I'm not really sure/Why can't we keep things the way that they were/Why can I never say no to her - what's that smell?
(Subtext, by Calvin Klein)

Nothing else I really feel the need to comment on, the changes are mostly minor and good. I liked the show a lot better overall, mostly because I knew what was coming. The songs improve on a second hearing - I didn't even hate Serious, which I thought was impossible.

The cast was great at the stage door, where only me and two others were waiting. Shoutout to Leslie, especially. You rule!

eta: I should also mention that the mezz/balcony area was maybe only 1/3 full and from what I heard the orchestra had lots of empty seats. I know it's a tuesday and all, but after all those good reviews? Uh-oh.

Updated On: 2/14/07 at 03:36 AM