Legally Blonde at NJPAC 6.6.10

[rmusic11322]

Posted: 6/6/10 at 6:52pm

I just got back from seeing the last matinee of Legally Blonde: The Musical at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. This touring production is top notch. It was my first time seeing the show again since I saw it in New York 2007. Everything from the actors, great use of new sets, and orchestrations made me fall in love with this show again. The only down side was that the Playbill/programs that they passed out were horrible looking. The cover had nothing to do with the show. At least the show made up for it. I you have a chance to see it before it closes, go. Heres my review:

Kathleen Elizabeth Monteleone (Elle Woods u/s): At first, I was upset to not see Becky. That all didnt matter until I saw this girls entrance. The particular way she walked through the curtain just set me into the show. Her voice is also amazing. Her acting choice were clever. And shes a great dance. Im glad to have seen her.

Jeff McLean (Warner): His voice is superb; its very clear and he has nice projection. All of his acting choices were better than Richard H. Blakes. When he said, Listen pooh bear I mean Elle, everyone was oohh-ing and uhoh-ing. Very good actor.

Megan Lewis (Vivienne): Had no problem when watching her perform. Her belting voice is incredible.

D.B. Bonds (Emmett): He matches right with Christian Borle. Very good singer and actor. He plays innocent and quite, but still ambitious very well.

Paul Jackel (Callahan u/s): I was also upset that I wasnt able to see Michael Rupert again. His rendition of Callahan was completely different, but still very effective. With his voice being a bit lower than most, he pulled off the scary professor character very well.

Natalie Joy Johnson (Paulette): I am so glad that she took over this role. She was phenomenal. Her accent, hand gestures, and look made everything believable. Also, her chemistry with Nellie (Rufus) was great.

Coleen Sexton (Brooke): Her voice is a tad lower than Nikki Snelson and Nicolette Harts voices. She is very fit and really nailed her big number. Her chemistry with the rest of the cast was great. Her and Kathleens rendition of Delta Nu was less annoying than other pairs. Great performer.

Tiffany Engen/Rhiannon Hansen/Candice Marie Woods(Serena/Margot/Pilar): Tiffany the peppiest, Rhiannon the funniest, Candice the wildest. A very good unification between all three of them. Im glad that Hansen is still with the show and very loyal to it. Also, in Ohmigod You Guys, Frankie (Bruiser) kept jumping up and down her leg and spoke very quickly. She had to say Speak to me. to get his attention. Very cute moment. I wish her the best of luck when the Equity tour ends.
The rest of the cast were really on their A game. It was amazing how they were all in tune with each other and played off each other. I have never seen a better ensemble. Also, I think that I was the only one in the theatre who kept on raving about the whole look of the set, costumes, lights, and especially, the orchestrations. The whole time, I had to fight the urge to get up and dance wildly. All of the amazingly added instruments and beats in the orchestrations really made me feel great that I was seeing the show.

If anyone is seeing the tour, you will have a great time regardless if anyone is on. The whole production is fabulous. I wish all of the cast members well on whatever they choose to do next, after the tour ends. The new, Non-Equity tour really needs to step it up in order to impress me.

5 out of 5.
Legally Blonde: The Musical