Legally Blonde Musical, first preview reactions- Page 7

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 2:55am

I am rather surprised the "bend and snap" number isn't getting more positive responses. That is one scene in the film that is practically a musical number already, so adapting it should have been a...well...snap.

[carymetorent2]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 4:11am

Getting ready to leave for the airport now....for my VERY early flight.

Will post reviews tomorrow night!

[legallyblondemusical]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 4:29am

"Bend and Snap" is fun but like I said it is just a little all over the place right now, it will get tigher and be better.

Have a good time carymetorent2, can't wait to hear what you thought.

[Jovie24]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 11:33am

I saw the show last night:

First of all I thought everyone did an amazing job. The show is solid, it will have some cuts and changes of course, but nothing really bad to say here.

Jerry Mitchell did an amazing job. I think as a whole the show is solid, like I said before, changes and cuts will be made, just to make things tighter, but other than that the structure of the show is there.

Laura Bell Bundy was great, Christan Borle was awesome and Orefh man I AM IN LOVE WITH that WOMAN.

I got to talk to Heather Hach and Jerry Mitchell for a bit and told them my congrats on the show....it is a simple, fun show and that all it is and that is all it should be. It does have a message, but it is very simple the way it came across (did not hit you over the head with it).

One number that I did not care for was the so quote-on-quote "Riverdance" #. It was funny as hell, but felt that it did not carry the show any further than it had too...I felt at times when watching that it was put in just for laughs and that ia "no-no" in the theater. If that does not get cut then great, if it does, I would not be surprised.

Act I at the start was a little rushed but overall ok. Michael Rupert was very good..oh and yes, anyone who mentioned that Leslie Krtizer looked older than everyone else, I do agree, not like really old, just older.

Overall I enjoyed it very much...the ORCHESTRA was completely sold out and the mezzanine was 1/2 full and the balcony was like totally empty...hope ticket sales pic up fast...oh yeah and sitting right behind me was Andrea Martin, I don't know if she liked the show or not...did not see her applauding much and she was one of the few that was still sitting as everyone else was giving a STANDING OVATION at the end of the performance. Oh, well!

SO GO SEE THE SHOW...it is good simply and fun entertainment.

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 11:46am

legallyblondemusical, do you have a picture of the cover of the Playbill?

[Jovie24]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 11:46am

I think there is already one on here...

[midtowngym]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 12:48pm

Can someone explain why Jerry Mitchell was walking around my neighborhood this week? Shouldn't he be in SF?

Updated On: 1/26/07 at 12:48 PM

[B3TA07]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 1:04pm

^I want what he's having.

[legallyblondemusical]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 1:41pm

Playbill scans, including cover are on page 3 of this thread.

[Al Dente]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 2:53pm

jovie, the night I saw Bend it got one of the better responses of the night. It was Blood In The Water that barely got a polite applause. It's simply too long. I'm happy that people are finally starting to get my obsession with Orfeh. Not only is her voice of force of nature, she's a comic powerhouse. Good for her!

[theaterdude87]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 2:55pm

In the quick clips from the show on CBS you can see her for like .5 seconds she looks great.

[qwerty2]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 4:07pm

Not sure if anyone was at Larry's Rites of Spring, but "Blood in the Water" was a great, hilarious number!

The number in the preview has been slowed down, which drags out.

[friedrichVT]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 4:23pm

Sorry to burst the Orfeh bubble but her comic timing with Paulette is seriously lacking, there were far more awkward silences and polite titters to the majority of her "comic" moments. I know I'll be be crucified for saying it but I feel she was miscast.

[Al Dente]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 4:34pm

Here's how I see it, friedrich: You can sit back and analyze someone's "comic timing" or you can listen to the roar of an audience's laughter. I did the latter and there's simply nothing to discuss. On Tuesday night, she was the only one in the cast who landed the jokes, as lame as many of the book writer's "jokes" may be. Sounds like someone might have an axe to grind.

Updated On: 1/26/07 at 04:34 PM

[theatermom]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 4:43pm

I took my two daughters (12 & 10) to the 3rd preview, and my overall reaction is that this will be a huge hit among the female ‘tween crowd, and a very good time for others. Our house has been overwhelmed with “Wicked” and “Rent” music for the last several years, so it will be nice to get a change! There were many young girls at the show, and all seemed to be thrilled with it. We overheard 3 separate girls talking on their cell phones after the show, giving it glowing reviews, and good-sized lines at the merchandise booth. My 12 year old was literally squealing with delight after the show, and came bouncing down to breakfast this morning wearing all pink…after a 2 year run of nothing but black and green (thank you Elphaba…). Both girls can’t wait to get a hold of the cast recording, which we were told would be out by May. Whether or not this is a success on Broadway, it will make a nice sum in future years selling rights to every high school in America – this is the perfect show for a high school with lots more women than men parts.

My personal view is that this is a fun, high-energy, very well choreographed show, with songs that are well sung and varied. The cast seemed to really be enjoying their performances, and it showed. Some specific thoughts (with spoilers) are below:

SETS – Nice, but a bit minimal. I thought the exterior Harvard scenery should have been a bit grander, but it got the point across. The opening scene with different sorority girls popping out of the Delta Nu house windows was an eye-catching way to start the show (but due either to lack of diction or the sound system, I couldn’t hear the lyrics here). They do use the under-stage lift extensively for both the scenery and actors.

MUSIC/DANCING – I loved the overture. It’s not too long (just long enough for people to settle down and stop talking), and really does set a mood for the show. There is another musical introduction that opens the second act. The opening number is effective is conveying the character of Elle, and catching us up on the background of the story, all with a very catchy song. I agree that the “Blood in the Water” doesn’t work musically, but it does do the job of conveying the ‘dog eat dog’ atmosphere of law school. Personally, I felt that the lyrics were just too accurate – I think some attorneys actually do feel that you have to play dirty to win, but the song brought the show from a light, optimistic tone down to a cynical dose of reality. So, more accurately than saying it was a bad song, I think there might need to be a more gentle way of conveying this information without killing the mood of the show. I loved the opening number of the second act, where Nikki Snelson sings while jumping rope. It is really phenomenal how the cast is able to carry such tricky choreography with such synchronization and accuracy. Overall, the dancing is very impressive. It is really is a highlight of the show. There was some talk on this thread about the “Riverdance” number. It actually does fit into the show in that it was prefaced beforehand, and I think it works well. (Based on audience response, it seemed to be one of the most well-received moments.)

CAST – Laura Bell Bundy was great. All around a very strong performance, and is very believable walking the fine line between self-absorbed sorority girl and determined law student. Christian Borle was also outstanding, and the chemistry between him and Ms. Bundy read very well. Orfeh had the audience with her from the first time we see her. I’ve heard her sing before, and was amazed by her talent, but had no idea what a great actress she was. Her comic timing was spot on. I just wish that her first song “Ireland” could have ended with a big vocal finish, and instead it ended with a spoken joke. Hearing her powerful voice throughout the song, you really want the satisfaction of an equally strong conclusion. I also enjoyed the performance of Natalie Joy Johnson.

Lastly, the show seemed to be quite well received, by the prolonged standing ovation during curtain call, as well as the “buzz” afterwards. As a mom, there is nothing offensive that I can recall, and would be perfectly suitable for kids from 6 up (as long as they can sit quietly during a very lively show!). There are a few references to gays and lesbians, but if anyone is still trying to shield their kids from this, they should probably move to another planet (or at least not go to the theatre).

[friedrichVT]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 4:50pm

Here's how I see it. You can have have her as your avitar and be completely obsessed about her and not be able to objectively watch . I sincerely have no axe to grind. I think she's very talented, and I enjoyed the show for the most part. I personally don't feel it was a good marriage of actor and role....that's all.Just my opinion,and because it doesn;t match yours does not mean I have an axe to grind. I didn't care for her in the role.

Updated On: 1/26/07 at 04:50 PM

[ruprecht]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 5:03pm

From what I've seen on the 7 pages (so far) of this thread, it doesn't take someone with an Orfeh avatar to like her performance! Theatermom just chimed it with pretty much the same opinion we've seen over and over here.

Friedrich, I don't remember reading your review of the show. Are you sure you've even seen it?

[friedrichVT]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 5:19pm

I saw it Tuesday.I did'nt post a review because it was a preview and the show will change dramatically. As the pperformance of Paulette may, but my opinion is that a directorial mistake was made,that's all.

[FosterChild]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 6:00pm

Didn't want to post a review out of respect for the show, huh? How noble of you. I think your agenda is painfully obvious.

Updated On: 1/26/07 at 06:00 PM

[JumpJumpJumpSoHigh]

Posted: 1/26/07 at 11:30pm

QWERTY2-- Was at Larry's Rites of Spring too... and yeah, I really like "Blood in the Water." I'm sad that so many people seem to think it slows the show down -- although, THEATREMOM, your reasoning for this was interesting, and makes a lot of sense! Tone aside, the content of the song makes it seem like it would be hard to stage in an exciting way. I mean, there's only so much you can really do with a classroom scene, I suppose. (Then, of course, the question becomes what can the writers and/or director do to improve it?)

Although, hey, I haven't even seen the staging, so I shan't judge. A week and a half to go before I see it. Grr. Hate waiting!

~JJJ

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 12:01am

everyone else was giving a STANDING OVATION at the end of the performance.

That means nothing these days.

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 12:12am

It seems just about every show gets a standing ovation. It's when somebody gets a standing ovation during a number, is when it really counts.

[E is for Emily2]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 12:35am

I thought the highlight of the show was the Riverdance number. It was hilarious. Orfeh is perfect for the role (at least it sure seems like it).
And "Gay or European" was hilarious as well.

I talked with some of the cast afterwards, some were really friendly, but a lot of them weren't. I can understand completely since the show is so physical, they must have been exhausted, but it was still kind of disappointing.

I'm curious to see what Pat Craig thinks of it. Although I definitely won't be surprised if he bashes it.

[theatermom]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 2:54am

"I'm curious to see what Pat Craig thinks of it. Although I definitely won't be surprised if he bashes it."

Do the critics see the previews, or do they review it after the 'opening'? Just curious.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 1/27/07 at 3:08am

I'm curious to see what Pat Craig thinks of it. Although I definitely won't be surprised if he bashes it.

Pat Craig either gushes or is really cranky and unreasonable. Somehow I think it'll be the latter.