Legally Blonde Tour Review - 10/25/09 Detroit

[BroadwayBound115]

Posted: 10/25/09 at 11:08pm

Okay, so tonight I saw Legally Blonde in Detroit. I had seen it previously on Broadway with Bailey and on tour with Laura Bell Bundy. There were three understudies tonight. Kathleen Elizabeth Monteleone was on as Elle, Cortney Wolfson was Brooke and Casey Leigh Thompson was the Stenographer. My oh my, Monteleone is a diamond in the rough!!! I was very hesitant because she was on the Grease reality show and was really bummed that Becky was out, but when she made her entrance and started singing, my jaw dropped. Her voice was PERFECT for Elle. Her belt was so clear and she had a nice mix when needed. I really hope she takes over for Becky when she leaves. She gelled with the cast very nicely and really acted different than the previous Elles I have seen. She definitely embodied Reese Witherspoon the most. Cortney Wolfson (and her six pack) never ceases to amaze me. The cast was on fire tonight! I don't remember Megan Lewis' voice being that incredible. I knew she was good, but I thought she was out of this world during the Remix. Other standouts were Jeff McLean, who really grew into Warner, the first time I saw him I wasn't very impressed as well as Ken Land as Callahan. Overall, the cast was an A++ and the energy that this cast has really radiates off the stage. You can see how much fun they have performing it and it is awesome to watch. It certainly is not groundbreaking theater but it is an entertaining night to say the least!

[bwaybri2]

Posted: 10/25/09 at 11:44pm

What is the status of the tour? How long does this last? - Did Becky sign up again?

[jonmbway4652]

Posted: 10/26/09 at 12:27am

When I saw the show I had understudies for Brooke and Elle as well... I'm starting to see a pattern. I personally did not like the show. The sets were very disappointing and the venue where I saw it had a very weak sound system, however I did enjoy the show and had fun.

[ohjustjake]

Posted: 10/26/09 at 8:24am

So Cortney is still with the production? I thought she was done, but I guess not. Glad you enjoyed the show and that it's in good shape!

[madbrian]

Posted: 10/26/09 at 8:44am

"She definitely embodied Reese Witherspoon the most."

There is so much wrong with that, I don't know where to start...

[BroadwayBound115]

Posted: 10/26/09 at 10:10am

Madbrian, I was waiting for someone to comment on that. It wasn't word for word Reese Witherspoon, but her characterization was similar. Gah, what I am trying to say is, is that they both had the same idea of how Elle should be played. If that makes any sense. She was original in her acting for sure, she added different emphasis on different lines.

Ohjustjake, In the program it said Cortney was going to be Brooke from 10/15-10/19 and Coleen would be Brooke from 10/20-11/1, but for some reason Cortney was in. You could tell it was just a quick step in because at the end the whole cast was hugging her during the curtain calls and she was wiping her eyes.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 10/26/09 at 10:25am

It seems like every time I read a review on here of the tour, the person has seen an understudy for Elle Woods and Brooke.

Do Becky Gulsvig and Coleen Sexton no longer show up to work?

[Fritz]

Posted: 10/26/09 at 10:44am

Well, Becky broke her toe in January and was out a month and a half. She then had a vacation in June (when LBB took over, who I saw), then took like six scattered days last week and a week this month. So basically, she shows, just has lots of vacation. When she's actually there, she hardly ever misses.

As for Coleen, I saw her and she was incredible. I think she just took an extended vacation.

[luvbrdway]

Posted: 10/26/09 at 12:02pm

Wish I would have seen an understudy for Becky. Cute girl, but her nasal voice was like fingernails on a chalkboard for me.

I think the jump rope number at the beginning of Act 2 is amazing. That's about the only think I really enjoyed about the show. Oh, I liked the UPS guy and Emmett. But, whenever Becky sang, I tuned out.
Updated On: 10/26/09 at 12:02 PM

[angelxschunard]

Posted: 10/26/09 at 4:05pm

That's why I'm endlessly greatful (grateful?) that the Broadway Gods were on my side the day I saw Legally Blonde and gave me Lauren instead of Becky.

I'm sure she's a lovely person, but I just hate that woman.

Updated On: 10/26/09 at 04:05 PM

[angelxschunard]

Posted: 10/26/09 at 4:05pm

Double post. Sigh.

Updated On: 10/26/09 at 04:05 PM

[toddlisatyriem]

Posted: 10/26/09 at 4:06pm

Are we POSITIVE that Kathleen isn't the new tour Elle???

The reason I ask is because of this interview where they call her the "star" of the show. Not the understudy stepping in like they always did with Lauren during her interviews in the cities that she performed as the only Elle.
http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/mornings/legally_blonde_broadway

Just curious if they are starting to transition her into the role or if the news people misrepresented Kathleen?

[jigblob]

Posted: 10/26/09 at 4:15pm

That's why I'm endlessly greatful (grateful?) that the Broadway Gods were on my side the day I saw Legally Blonde and gave me Lauren instead of Becky.

I'm sure she's a lovely person, but I just hate that woman.


....are you kidding me? I saw both Lauren and Becky and i thought Becky was wayy better in basically every aspect.

[BroadwayBound115]

Posted: 10/26/09 at 5:20pm

todd, I saw that bit too and I asked myself the same question, part of me thinks that they are working in Kathleen as much as possible to kind of ease her into the role. I have a feeling that Becky will be leaving soon, because I know four people who saw the show here in Detroit on different dates and every single one of them saw Kathleen, and the also LOVED her, so she definitely has no problem stepping into this role!

[broadwayboy522]

Posted: 10/26/09 at 5:40pm

Becky has said in some interviews that she is with the tour till the end of next summer so she's signed on for another year. It just seems she always out because as already said she missed 6 weeks because of her injury, a weekend for the Tony Awards, vacation earlier in the summer, and now another vacation. In early October it was the first time she had missed because she was actually sick. So it seems she's just getting a lot of vacation time now but I way I look at it she gets vacation and allows her voice to rest or she doesn't get as much vacation and misses because she gets sick or her voice gets worn out.

[angelxschunard]

Posted: 10/26/09 at 6:31pm

jigblob, that maybe be your opinion but I don't agree with it. Lauren was fantastic. Becky's nasal voice and old looks do absolutely nothing for Elle, in my opinion. I don't like her as Elle.

[jonmbway4652]

Posted: 10/26/09 at 7:09pm

"It seems like every time I read a review on here of the tour, the person has seen an understudy for Elle Woods and Brooke.

Do Becky Gulsvig and Coleen Sexton no longer show up to work?"

I am beginning to wonder the same thing

[broadwayboy522]

Posted: 10/26/09 at 8:33pm

Becky looks anything but old, she looks like the right age of Elle while Lauren looks like a 19 year old which is what she is.

[bway1261]

Posted: 10/26/09 at 8:42pm

"It seems like every time I read a review on here of the tour, the person has seen an understudy for Elle Woods and Brooke.

Do Becky Gulsvig and Coleen Sexton no longer show up to work?"



It does seem that way. When I saw the show in June, Coleen was on vacation.
Updated On: 10/26/09 at 08:42 PM

[STUCKinOHIO]

Posted: 10/26/09 at 9:40pm

I traveled to Detroit to see the show Saturday night 8/24, I've seen the show twice before (Clev, Pitt).

I have to say.. Detroit is NOT a theatre town. The theatre was in the most random place, kind of mixed in with a shopping mall-type building? The people in the lobby were completely rude and would cut you in line and push you so they can get by. The orchestra pit was absolutely TERRIBLE... For the first half we were near the top of the balcony, and you ureally couldn't hear anything. As great as everyone was (including the understudies), there was no UMPH... because the pit's volume was SO low..

On a Saturday night, I would expect a theatre to be packed, it was 1/4 full in the balcony.. we moved to the front row of the balcony. There we were able to hear a lot better and the performers were great.. the same can't be said about the pit and the atmosphere in Detroit :/

[jonmbway4652]

Posted: 10/26/09 at 9:47pm

STUCKinOHIO- that is a bummer! When i saw the show the orchestra was too loud especially the drums! and the show totally had no UMPH. My performance was completely sold out though

[HollyGolightly2]

Posted: 10/26/09 at 9:58pm

Becky looks anything but old, she looks like the right age of Elle while Lauren looks like a 19 year old which is what she is.


I don't get that. Elle is supposed to be at least 22, fresh out of college (and at the end, she should be around 25). What's up with getting actresses that are younger than the character? Let some older actresses do their job of looking their age/younger than their age before they get too old to!

[adamgreer]

Posted: 10/26/09 at 10:36pm

Out of all the Elles I saw (and I saw all of the Broadway Elles, with the exception of Annaleigh Ashford), Becky was by far my least favorite. I'm not at all surprised she's still boring audiences around the country.

[bwaybri2]

Posted: 10/26/09 at 11:04pm

I've seen 4 Elles and Becky is by far my favorite. Commanding and beautiful.

[BroadwayBound115]

Posted: 10/26/09 at 11:18pm

STUCK, I agree completely that Detroit is not a theater town AT ALL! It bugs me the lack of theatrical entertainment we get! But I do what I can to immerse myself in it and fly out to NYC every chance I get :) The Fisher needs a renovation BADLY! I had 3rd row off of the balcony and heard just fine. I thought the pit was a little too loud at times, so maybe there were some sound issues during your performance. Who was your Elle?