Legally Blonde review -- opening night (LONG!)

[JumpJumpJumpSoHigh]

Posted: 2/9/07 at 11:39pm

I loved it.

And just so I get this out of the way before people start rolling their eyes at me, I flew out to San Francisco expecting to love it. I've been looking forward to this show for four years, and the only other production I'd seen before this was a reading in December of 2005. And I'm still trying to get over the fact that this has become an actual Huge Show, with Sets! Costumes! Lots Of Dancing! …and all of that. It's overwhelming. (And this is just me; I can't even imagine how the people in the company must feel.) I saw the show twice in San Francisco: once on opening night (complete with a kick@$$ party afterward!), and once on a last-minute whim the following night. So, here's two nights' worth of reviews.

I'm serious. It's a long review.


In a nutshell, I think it's headed very much in the right direction, and it's about 95% there. There are little things that need tweaking, and the creative team is still hard at work on tweaking them. I mean, the big dance numbers were awesome, but sometimes they went on a little too long. Like in "What You Want," it just got to be a little much. (But on the positive side, I like that Larry got to put his ubiquitous bongos to good use.) It just needs to be trimmed by a minute or two. Leave 'em wanting more, don't tire 'em out before Elle even gets to Harvard. Same thing with the Remix toward the end of act two, which I'll get to later.

Okay.

"Omigod You Guys." With the (absolutely adorable) set, I now completely understand the comparisons that people have been making to "The Telephone Hour." There's a lot of information in this song, and I think Jerry Mitchell staged it well – I never felt like there was too much going on, and that would have been easy to do in this song. Even better, most of the funny lines were not lost, as I'd feared they might be. And I loved seeing the new and unexpected places where they got laughs – like when Elle shot down the first salesgirl, and the Delta Nus quietly burst into another "Omigod" chorus. Awesome. And the song ended on a beautifully staged and upbeat note, the energy of which really propelled the momentum of the rest of the show.

"Serious." I still like the original version of this song better, the "time to stop dickin' around" one… but I like the new song better on stage than on recording, which has a lot to do with Elle's backup vocals in the second verse. So much for "can't come right out and say 'bride'" – this girl has no shame! Really funny.

"Daughter of Delta Nu." Sort of a throwaway song, but still enjoyable – mostly thanks to Kate Wetherhead, who rocks my world as she always has. The little "Jacqueline Smith collection" line that she has is just great.

"What You Want." LOVE. Pure, unadulterated love for this number. I like journey-songs in general, where the song doesn't just take you from points A to B, but all the way to D and sometimes beyond. The beginning of this song is Elle coming up with the idea of following Warner to Harvard, and throughout the number she convinces her parents to pay her way, studies hard enough to get a 175 on her LSAT's, and eventually leads a marching band (!) right into the Harvard admissions office and convinces them to accept her. Plus which, there are fabulous showcasey moments for Annaleigh Ashford, who is so cute as Margot, the ditziest of Elle's friends, and Andy Karl as the reggae-singing frat boy. Like I said before though, the dance break when the marching band enters did go on too long – and while Elle was punctuating the number with "legal jargon," the comic effect of that was somewhat lost in the hubbub and glitter.

"The Harvard Variations." I don't know why people are hating on this song so much, since it's hardly a major number – it acts as more of a throwaway, like "Daughter of Delta Nu." It's not really a standout, aside from a few funny lines and a great couple of moments for Enid, but it serves its purpose well: to introduce characters and contrast them all with Elle. And, of course, to give us our first glimpse of Emmett. Also, I forgot about the character named Padamadan. Huzzah for the shoutout to Cam Jansen!

"Blood in the Water." Okay, I do get why people are complaining about this one. I still, however, stand by it as a good song. I think it's well-written and definitely serves a very clear and important purpose in the plot – but I don't think it translates that well to the stage. For some reason it reminds me of the Wizard's songs from Wicked – they're fine, but they don't innately suggest any physical movement (like, say, "Omigod You Guys" or "What You Want"). So you need a very, very inventive choreographer and a VERY charismatic actor to make it work. And honestly, although I liked him well enough, Michael Rupert just didn't really do it for me. They need someone who can do for that song what Joel Grey did for "Wonderful." Or maybe the song just doesn't work on paper, period. I don't know. But I like it well enough that I'd like to see them try harder.

"Love and War." Love it, although I think my favourite line ("Okay, now you're just doing it to do it") has been cut. Sad. Well-choreographed by Jerry "Any Excuse For A Dance Break" Mitchell, it's upbeat, fun, a GREAT showcase for the three main Delta Nus, and I absolutely love the "Make me a brunette!" ending. (Although, I could have done without that moment just before, where Elle clutches her head and stumbles about for no real reason.) It did get a little screechy at the end, with the girls asking "Are you sure?" and it could probably do with a slight lowering of the key, or something to that effect.

"Ireland." I loved the whole scene between Elle and Paulette… and DAMN, can Orfeh tear up a song like nobody's business. The voice alone wins her my admiration, but I still think she could go further with Paulette's character. Orfeh plays her as slightly sad and slightly silly sometimes, but there's still more she could do without crossing the line into caricature, and I'd love to see her go there. In terms of the song, though… gah, I love this song. (At least one critic has remarked on the randomness of the references to the Irish in this show, and to that critic I would like to say: "Have you seen the red-haired man who co-wrote the score? Name of O'Keefe?") But seriously, even though it IS kind of random, it didn't FEEL random. One moment led to another, and Paulette shared her Irish fantasy with Elle, and it was a good character song, not to mention quite funny. Especially the reprise. "I'm not sure where this metaphor's going" has got to be one of my favourite lines in the show now.

The party scene. This was actually one of my favourite scenes from the movie, because while you half-expect Elle to run away crying once she realized Vivienne had "misinformed" her about the costume party, instead she holds her head high and gives it right back to Vivienne. And this translated VERY well onto the stage, thanks in part to the absolutely fabulous Gloria Steinem reference. (Have I mentioned that I love Natalie Joy Johnson as Enid?) I also like the reprise of "Serious," just for the "You funneled all that beer / I held your head when you hurled" line. Ahh, the romantic wonders of college life.

"Chip on My Shoulder." I find it really interesting that people are so divided about this song – but predictably enough, I loved it. I say predictably (aside from the obvious reasons) because it's another journey song, and I love love love those. We start with Emmett telling Elle about how he came to be a law student, then quickly segue into him pushing her to work harder, which turns into a months-long endeavor, in which he essentially becomes her tutor. The Greek chorus of Delta Nus is put to good use here, transitioning from late fall into Thanksgiving, then into Christmas… then into the classroom "sperm donor" scene, which was lifted pretty much verbatim from the movie (if it ain't broke…), and then back to Emmett's sung conclusion. If I hadn't already loved Christian Borle, this number would have put me over the edge. He has exactly the right mixture of geeky, funny, and serious that this version of Emmett calls for. I especially enjoy that little moment at the end where he talks (well, sings) about how proud he is of Elle. But honestly? Could have done without the Greek chorus in the final measures of the song. They don't serve any purpose at that point; the end of the song belongs to Emmett, and I think it would be a more focused moment if it was just him on the stage.

The trailer scene. Oddly, this felt a bit short. I have to rewatch the movie for this one; since most of the lines seemed familiar, it's odd that it didn't work here. It was still a nice scene, with some great comedy from Andy Karl, but it was over too quickly to make a real impact. And it obviously DOES make a real impact on Elle, as we see from her "Law / Is this the point of law?" verse. So it needs to impact the audience in the same way.

"So Much Better." Still, I think, one of the strongest numbers in the show. I love the turnaround moment, where Elle is all dejected after Warner's proposal to Vivienne – and then sees her name on the list of interns. And we get to see exactly how little Warner really means to her, even if she doesn't quite realize it yet. I love the fake-orgasm moment, and apparently so did the rest of the audience. The spelling of Elle's name on the backs of the girls' hoodies was a bit much – perhaps because it was slightly reminiscent of "Show You a Thing or Two" in Bat Boy? Whatever. But I did love that very end moment, where the blackout happened just as Elle was mid-joyful-jump. That was just perfect.

"Whipped Into Shape." Can't really say anything about this number that hasn’t already been said, i.e. Holy crap, singing and jumping rope all at the same time and DAMN Nikki Snelson is good. I thoroughly enjoyed Callahan taking the "Whipped" melody and turning it around on Brooke – but not nearly as much as I enjoyed Enid unpausing the "video" and having a quiet little moment of enjoyment. Adorable. Also, great job with the scene that follows, ending with Callahan dismissing both Emmett and Elle for the day. Well played by Michael Rupert, and I liked that they got the phrase "legally blonde" in there before the title song popped up, so the audience wasn't surprised during the song when the phrase became more than just the title of the show.

"Take It Like a Man." This has slowly turned from a song that I went "eh" at, to one of my favourites in the show. I like how we see how Elle and Emmett have begun to bond, and how Emmett has already begun to fall for her. ("Subtext, by Calvin Klein" is one of my other favourite lines in the show. So glad Kate got that one, as her delivery is spot on.) And somehow it made me happy that they ended it realistically. This being a musical, I half-expected Emmett to just waltz out of the store in his new suit once he had it on – but nope, he left with the suit in a bag, and Elle even had to sign her credit card receipt. I don't know why that made me that happy, but it did.

"Bend and Snap." I know it's retarded and ridiculous and all that, but I love this number. It's like a cross between "Great Big Stuff" from Dirty Rotten Scoundrels the opening song from Bring It On. With a little bit of Pussycat Dolls thrown in, but not enough to be skanky, heh. So, yeah. Leslie Kritzer owns a little piece of my heart for this one, not just for the amazing opening hip-hop sequence, but also for the exchange with Paulette beforehand. ("Because you jump around and show your panties?" "Hehehe… yeah….")

"There! Right There!" Glad they renamed this one so as not to give away the joke. I fell madly in love with this song the very first time I heard it, and not much has changed since then – and oddly enough, the few minor staging ideas that popped into my head when I first heard it? They're there. In the show. Like the little movements that go with "wears a kilt or bears a purse," and the unison head-tilt on the "huh" right after "his shoes are pointy-toed." I know nobody cares about that but me, but it made me happy. Anyway, I think my favourite part of this number was finding out where the big laughs landed, which I didn't predict. There was a small laugh on Callahan's first "Is he gay… or European?" but the BIG laugh came when the company repeated "gay or European?" in unison, as the beginning of the following verse. That, I guess, is where the audience realizes that this really is going to be the topic of the entire song, and that's what's funny. Kind of cool. Also, BIG laugh on Carlos's "This man is gay AND European!" I love this song. I will never stop loving this song. Oh, and also, the fact that Elle's cell phone ring is the Delta Nu song made me smile.

"Legally Blonde." The first time I heard this, it was an Elle solo with an Emmett counterpoint written in but not recorded. I thought it was nice then… but since then, it has grown into a gorgeous, genuinely moving ballad, which includes the only moment that actually brought tears to my eyes. (The one where Elle says "Goodbye," goes into her room, and slams the door behind her, and then the set rotates to reveal Elle clutching the doorknob on the other side, near tears at having to leave Emmett behind.) The very simple staging really works here – I'm glad Mitchell just let the song carry itself, rather than weighing it down with fireworks. The only thing I didn't like about this song was the too-fast transition into it. The moment where Callahan hits on Elle should be bigger – not TOO much bigger, but bigger. It was easier in the movie, where he put a hand on Elle's leg and she had a moment to question him before shooting him down, whereas here he kisses her, and there's just no time for questions. I think the kiss is more powerful, but I'd still like them to find a smoother transition into the song than a mere two or three lines of dialogue between the kiss and the song.

"Legally Blonde Remix." The line "You've got the best freakin' shoes!" is another favourite, and Kate Shindle absolutely kicks ass as Vivienne here, although I'm mixed about her character in general. On one hand, I want her to have more to do, just because she seems two-dimensional until this point – but on the other hand, isn't that the point? That Elle inadvertently shows her how to let go a little, and have some fun, and maybe even embrace her inner blonde? Hm. Anyway, I like the little scene between Paulette and Kyle right before Elle comes in, although he holds the mirror up for a bit too long, taking the laugh out of the moment when he reveals his bandaged nose. Ah well. Vivienne's part of the song is still the best for me, although the "she's leading a parade!" bit turned from something potentially cheesy into… well, into something REALLY cheesy, and utterly loveable. Mitchell did a great job with all of the elements of this number – although I really think that the Riverdance spoof, though funny in its own right, is a bit out of place here. Paulette is a big enough character to deserve that moment of revelation, where she realizes that Kyle could be the Irish sailor of her dreams, but to have it happen in the middle of a big giant Elle number – a PARADE, mind you – is just information overload. We lose track of the song, and it's a bit disorienting.

The courtroom/bathroom scene. Elle's entrance in the fab pink dress? Perfect. Kate Wetherhead as Chutney? Perfect. The field trip to Chutney's bathroom? Less than perfect. I don't like the idea of the trial leaving the courtroom in the first place, but if the whole point of the trip is for Elle to demonstrate what happens to permed hair in the shower… isn't it a bit silly for the newly-permed Enid to climb into the shower and then PULL THE SHOWER CURTAIN CLOSED before running the "water" and changing wigs? It's a ridiculous excuse for a new set and a couple of cheap laughs (i.e. the judge sitting on the toilet), and it really, really needs to go. (Although, one moment that should find a way to stay is the court reporter repeating back the last line: "Omigod we rock! It's the scene of the cri-i-ime!" …complete with the little dance move. So great.)

The denouement. Like many others, I was a tad disappointed that Warner got a chance to be a little more sympathetic here than in the movie – but on the other hand, that extended and almost tender moment between them made Elle look better too. More understanding, as if she's realized that Warner is just as shallow as she herself used to be, and she sympathizes. She doesn't pull her punches when she shoots him down, but she sympathizes. Which makes me like her more.

The finale. I loved that Paulette gets to do "Where are they now?" It's very cute, although this is another bit where I felt that Orfeh could have done more with the character. The bit where she catches herself rambling didn't get a laugh where it should have – although the "we live out in Worcester" line got a big one. And Elle proposing to Emmett? ADORABLE! I liked them ending with "Omigod You Guys," especially since it's Emmett leading them into the song this time. Hurrah for Elle, she has found a guy who loves her for what's inside AND outside!

So… yeah. That's about it. I loved the show so damn much, and can't wait to see what they do with it before it hits New York.

~JJJ

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 2/9/07 at 11:53pm

Wow, thanks for that detail.

Not gonna lie, I'd be really interested in a review of this detail from someone who didn't go out expecting to love the show.

I just hope it at least has a moderately successful run. All the hype for it and everything...Well, it would make for a great entry in "Not Since Carrie."

[carymetorent2]

Posted: 2/10/07 at 4:09pm

Excellent review. I agree with a lot of what you said, except I am not a big fan of "Ireland."

Although I am a big fan of Orfeh singing, so I suppose it balances out.

I love that Elle's phone ring is the Delta nu chant. It's so cute and totally Elle. Those little details are what make me love the show.

But you, me and many others will never understand the transition to the scene of the crime and why it's done. I can't see htem taking it out, but god, I hope they do.

[JumpJumpJumpSoHigh]

Posted: 2/10/07 at 4:30pm

The bathroom thing was only a recent addition, so in theory it shouldn't be hard to take out. I just hope they (by which I mean Mitchell) realizes how stupid it is before they get to NY.

~JJJ

[legallyblondemusical]

Posted: 2/10/07 at 4:34pm

JJJ what do you mean "the bathroom thing was only a recent addition"? That has been in the show since preview 1.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 2/10/07 at 4:42pm

Thanks for the review...I enjoyed reading it!

[Jovie24]

Posted: 2/10/07 at 4:44pm

That is correct, the bathroom scene was there from day one in the Previews..unless you are saying the just recetly added that overall and it was NOT there before previews at all.

[JumpJumpJumpSoHigh]

Posted: 2/10/07 at 4:50pm

Sorry, I should have been clearer -- I mean, this show has been in-progress for over four years now, and the bathroom thing only came into play within the past few months. So yeah, it was definitely there for the entire SF run, but not for long before that.

~JJJ

[TWSFan4Ever]

Posted: 2/10/07 at 5:22pm

Glad you liked the show!

I really need to see how this bathroom scene completely works out...to me, it sounds like it'd work.

[HumATune]

Posted: 2/10/07 at 5:27pm

I guess I'm the only one who likes the bathroom scene. But it would be cooler if we actaully SAW the perm deflating.

"This reprise is out of order!'

[TWSFan4Ever]

Posted: 2/10/07 at 5:30pm

I actually think the bathroom scene would be neat, instead of just keeping it like the film and staying in the court room.

[carymetorent2]

Posted: 2/10/07 at 6:15pm

I am not trying to be rude, TWSfan, but honestly, I don't think you can really understand/envision and/or pass judgment on the scene until you have seen it.

[TWSFan4Ever]

Posted: 2/10/07 at 6:50pm

Yeah, I know. You weren't being rude, I'm just saying I think it'd be a neat to see. I don't know if I'd like it or not, I'm just interested in how it would be (transistion wise and such).

[JumpJumpJumpSoHigh]

Posted: 2/10/07 at 11:41pm

I thought the transition was well-done, with the Delta Nus COMPLETELY overdoing it with their "scene of the crime" song (and I did love the "this reprise is out of order!" line)... it's just the concept that annoys me. Not the execution. I know the story is far-fetched to begin with, but taking a field trip to the scene of the crime simply doesn't happen -- it's too far-fetched for even Legally Blonde, and THAT is saying something.

Meh. Just my two cents.

~JJJ

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 1:45am

Sorry I've been out of town for the past couple days and I'm a little out of it - just back from a theater competition - but anyways, are the reviews for this show out? I searched and couldn't find anything recent. Shouldn't they be out?

[jimnysf]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 3:08am

They are out and they are all pretty good! They are posted here someplace. I started a thread for them.

reviews

Updated On: 2/11/07 at 03:08 AM

[carymetorent2]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 4:24am

JumpJump...I completely agree with your assessment of that scene.

[HumATune]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 10:18am

I don't know the bathroom scene is no more far-fetched than Elle showing up at Harvard with a marching band and pep squad. That doesn't happen in real life either.

[carymetorent2]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 12:32pm

I don't know if I will explain this right, but in my mind, Ellle could AND WOULD pay a marching band to show up at Harvard. It's the kind of grand gesture that happens in movies and it fits her personality. The trip to the bathroom is a) actually not allowed under law and b) makes her seem stupid.

The band thing makes her stand out and the trip to the bathroom makes her seem flighty. And by that point, she is supposed to be a changed woman. She isn't the flighty, shallow Elle that the first act brings and that's the point, which makes the random trip to the bathroom have her character take a step back. Or that's my two cents anyway.

[TWSFan4Ever]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 12:37pm

Good point.

Question: In the show, is it Elle that suggests the trip to the Wyndham Manor's bathroom, just to make a point that the hair will flatten? If so, why didn't they just bring in a bucket and dump some water on Chutney's hair?

[jimnysf]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 12:50pm

I actually thought the bathroom scene was funny. (The Judge's "chair"). I don't see a problem with it.

I saw the show last night for the second time. The first time was the opening preview. I am happy to report that the shrill sounding voices in the opening number have been toned down to the point that I now actually like "OMIGOD You Guys"! Yes. I admit it. As you may know, I have posted on here before saying how much I had hated that song.

The rest of the show is coming along very nicely. The biggest audience response seems to be for "Ireland", "Legally Blonde Remix" and the gay or european song/scene. They would be fools to cut that (as reported in the NY Post).

I liked the show and had a great time. I'll be the first to admit that I never thought I'd say that. It wasn't something that would normally appeal to me. I'm way past my teen years and I've never been a valley girl, but I enjoyed the show a lot.

The show has a wonderful ensemble. Andy Karl is hilarious in all of his roles and almost steals the show when he is on stage. I've seen him before in "Saturday Night Fever" (including when he played "Tony" as the understudy on tour) and "Altar Boyz". My only negative is that Richard H Blake does not get to dance (except during the bows).

Go see the show. It's going to be a big hit at the Palace.

[JumpJumpJumpSoHigh]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 2:25pm

JIMNYSF -- Yay! So, what else has been significantly changed since first preview? I'm curious.

TWSFAN4EVER -- Yeah, it's Elle who suggests it, by saying "Your honor, may I go to the bathroom?" -- and of course, her phrasing makes the judge think she has to pee. Hilarity ensues, bla bla bla.

~JJJ

[TWSFan4Ever]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 2:28pm

Haha, that is something Elle would say. To me, it sounds fine. I mean, do you think they'll cut that scene and just do away with the whole bathroom set and such?

[Al Dente]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 2:57pm

I think your posts and opinions have been very interesting all along JJsohigh, you're obviously more than just a casual fan of o'Keefe's and thats fine, what struck me as odd about your unbelievably detailed review was how many times you chose to passive aggressively "dig" at Orfeh. I've seen the show twice and have read every word written about the show, mostly interested in national trades like Variety. Orfeh received some of the best notices they gave any actor in the show, with her husband running a close second. And say what you want about her abysmally underused voice( mine and many others' opinion), and "underdeveloped character" (your words, not mine), both nights I attended, it was clear to anyone with a working set of ears, that she far surpassed any other actor on stage for laughs and applause. I think her forte' lies in making the most of unremarkable material and making it shine far more brightly than any one else would or could. She's a funny woman and there's no denying that if anyone is being *honest*.

I don't pretend to have as much invested in the show as you apparently do and as devout a fan of Orfeh's as I am, I'v got nothing on you with regards to o'Keefe but the proof is in the pudding and there are a lot bigger issues to be tackled than the ones repeatedly mentioned by you. i'm simply too much of a gentleman to put too fine a point on any of it but if I were a betting man, I'd bet the N.Y critics will.

[JumpJumpJumpSoHigh]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 3:13pm

Too much of a gentleman? You're awfully modest, too.

You're obviously more than a casual fan of Orfeh's, and... oh, I won't even go there. I'm not "digging" at Orfeh. I thought she was wonderful, but I think she could be even MORE wonderful. There's a lot more she could still do with the character, and I'd really like to see her go there, because she's certainly got the talent to do it. Yeah, she's probably got one of the best sets of pipes in the whole cast. I'm not arguing with that.

My point is, please don't read more into my opinions than what's actually there -- that is, OPINIONS, which you should feel free to agree or disagree with, but which you should not feel free to attack me for. Sure, there are other issues to be tackled as well, but the ones I mentioned were the ones that stood out to me. So I posted them. Simple as that.

~JJJ