rOcKS checks up on 'LEGALLY BLONDE'

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 8/9/08 at 12:49pm

Basically, it was the best LEGALLY BLONDE experience I've had thus far (I saw the show in previews and liked it but after a while, I realized how severely flawed it was and then I saw it again in November of '07 and really disliked it. The cast looked bored, the energy was low, he flaws became more and more obvious, and the show as a whole just felt like it was trying too hard to be lovable).

But after last night's BLONDE experience, I am a born-again BLONDE fan. Yes, it's still very flawed in its writing (some of the jokes in the book are terrible and are only funny because of the actors' delivery --see 95% of Orfeh's lines--, the score is banal at points, the lyrics are sometimes cringe-worthy, and there really isn't much of a recognizable character arch for anyone besides Paulette and Elle --and I guess Vivianne, although her motives for change seem a bit undefined--). The choreography, if a bit headache inducing, is bright, bubbly, and smart and the show as a whole is just a lot of fun.

But I realized tonight why the show is so much fun sometimes and a bit labored other times. It's because of who is playing Elle. I liked Laura Bell Bundy even if I thought she was a bit over-the-top when I first saw her and I had my doubts about whether or not she was the right choice to carry the show, and it looked like it was taking its toll on her the second time I saw it. She looked tired, was performing the show half-dead, and just completely mad the entire experience and total misfire. Now it's hard to say whether or not Bailey Hanks will fall into this situation, but I do have to say that she (especially for someone making their Broadway debut) makes it looks so effortless compared to Laura Bell. She carried the show like it was a feather, dancing up a storm, signing beautifully (even though there were a few stray notes here and there), and acting the part surprisingly effectively. She made the entire thing look so easy and effortless and she really knocked it out of the park. She is the perfect choice for this role. For someone who was chosen on a reality show to play this role, she is a lot more seasoned than the two leads of GREASE were and, dare I say it, better than Broadway veteran Laura Bell Bundy. I had a great time at BLONDE last night because its anchor, its Elle, looked like she was having a great time too...and played the role really well.

The rest of the cast was fine (Richard Blake was out...is he ever in this show?!?...as was Michael Rupert but Kevin filled his shoes well enough) and the energy was really high onstage.

I also have to mention the three supporting ladies, Orfeh, Kate Shindle, and Nicolette Hart. First off, Orfeh has grown so much in this role and is finding laughs in places I wouldn't even think to look. And that voice...she brought the house down during IRELAND. She was absolutely fantastic. Kate Shindle is really strong as Vivianne and deserved more attention when the reviews came out. She belts like no one's business and does a great job with an underwritten role. Nicolette Hart is playing Brooke totally different than Nikki Snelson, with a tough, gritty undertone (complete with what might be lesbian innuendo here and there) and it totally works. She has great comedic timing and WHIPPED INTO SHAPE started the second act off with a huge bang.

So I had a lot of fun at BLONDE. I waited by the stage door (although I was upset Orfeh and Kate didn't come out...do they usually not?) and everyone was so nice, especially Bailey, who was so personable and generous.

And I also have to say, in risk of opening up a whole can of worms, that the audience ATE IT UP like I've never seen before. And from what I hear, they have been doing so for the last few weeks. And it wasn't because of Bailey alone, people really loved the show itself. I'm beginning to think that if word of mouth starts up again that this show could be a late-blooming huge hit. Don't underestimate this fun, energetic, exciting show. It leaves you on could nine and that is what people are looking for in the theater nowadays.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/9/08 at 12:55pm

I felt the exact same way after seeing it Thursday night. It was a completely different, much more fun-filled experience. Bailey really did knock it out of the park, and was incredibly effective. To be honest, she blew me away.

The audience was the same way on Thursday...they ate it up, and not just Bailey, but everyone. The man next to me, who brought his daughters, and seemed like he only did it to "be a nice dad" muttered after the Ireland reprise, "Wow, she's really good."

It's nice to see the show having a little renaissance in year 2. I hope it keeps up.
Updated On: 8/9/08 at 12:55 PM

[ucjrdude902]

Posted: 8/9/08 at 1:00pm

My mom has a friend who took her 2 boys and their girlfriends to it after they couldn't get tickets to ITH and they all loved it. Including the boys. I def. agree with what you said, about it could be a late bloomer.

[verynewyorkcurious]

Posted: 8/9/08 at 1:05pm

I was there last night too. It was very fresh and a lot of fun. Bailey impressed me as well, surprisingly.

Orfeh makes it look easy. I thought she was amazing.

I didn't care for Nicolette Hart, although her "BUH-BYE" after Callihan's "Enjoy prison" remark was pretty funny.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 8/9/08 at 1:05pm

Everyone around me was muttering during the IRELAND reprise. A 50-something year old man to my right was flipping out and kept saying "what a voice!!"

I really think this show might have finally found its audience.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 8/9/08 at 1:07pm

Oh...and also, Ven Daniels is FINE as the UPS guy. His acting is awful but it's ok because it works with the part. He wasn't as good as Karl but he was still really funny and the audience ate it up.

PS: Mothers bringing kids under 10, tell them to sit the f*ck down in their seats and not continually stand up and talk at normal volume and climb over the seats during the show. SIT NEXT TO YOUR CHILDREN AND KEEP AN EYE ON THEM. Thanks.

[ucjrdude902]

Posted: 8/9/08 at 1:15pm

Dear God I hope this show defines the odds and keeps the Palace and goes on for a little bit longer. Atleast give me 2 more years of Blonde!

[verynewyorkcurious]

Posted: 8/9/08 at 1:18pm

I wasn't so much annoyed by the kids as I was with a lot of the audience. People get too comfortable after intermission. Plastic wrappers all around the orchestra. I also heard someone chewing.

Did you notice someone taking a picture (with flash) around Bend and Snap? Idiot.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/9/08 at 1:20pm

Some idiot took a photo of Bailey (with flash) on Thursday during the beginning of the Legally Blonde remix (right after Elle changes into the pink dress). Kate Shindle delivered a death glare into that section of the audience.
Updated On: 8/9/08 at 01:20 PM

[ucjrdude902]

Posted: 8/9/08 at 1:22pm

Good. She should have. It annoys me SO BAD when people do that. I have told on people before. It might seem babyish but to me its rude, and kind of a method of stealing.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 8/9/08 at 1:32pm

Yeah, I did notice that.

Also, there were at least four flashes during WHIPPED INTO SHAPE.

[toanythingtaboo 2]

Posted: 8/9/08 at 1:42pm

I just don't understand why they think its ok and how they think they can get away with it.

It's possibly the most obvious, unsly way to break the rules.

That aside, I'm so glad Legally Blonde is still in good shape!

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 8/9/08 at 2:23pm

I think it's in even better shape than when it opened to be quite honest.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 8/9/08 at 2:24pm

My heart skips a beat when my favorite show gets through a whole page without the haters. I really can't explain why, having seen every show all the way back to Gypsy that I get off so much on this one.

But then could Cher ever explain Sonny?

or Natascha explain vy zhe luved Borrris?

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 8/9/08 at 2:52pm

It's so infectiously happy.

It's probably the most purely enjoyable show on Broadway right now, flaws and all. I can't really explain why I like it either but it's just so much damn fun.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/9/08 at 2:55pm

Add me to the, "I like it, but can't explain why" group. It's so flawed (the book is really terrible), but it's just such a fun time, you can overlook its flaws. It's just a great time, and I always leave the theater in a better mood than when I arrived.

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 8/9/08 at 2:56pm

Let's watch the box office numbers carefully... come October and November, this supposed audience might be gone.

(sorry allofmylife - your comment just provoked me)

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/9/08 at 3:07pm

TooDarnHot, did your friend Aaron Tveit tell you that?

(sorry- your comment just provoked me).

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 8/9/08 at 3:16pm

[DefyGravity777]

Posted: 8/9/08 at 4:36pm

I can explain why I like Legally Blonde. It's fun. I have a great time while I'm there. Actually I never had so much fun at a show as I do with Legally Blonde...LOL. There's not to many shows where you can laugh for almost the whole thing. Give or take a few songs.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 8/9/08 at 4:54pm

Why don't you post your profile toodanhot.

I'd love to see if you have pissed all over any other shows.

I'd like to know what shows you really do like.

I was going to make some witty comment like, "You've never had sex in your life, have you" but frankly,

It's too darn hot.

Updated On: 8/10/08 at 04:54 PM

[toanythingtaboo 2]

Posted: 8/9/08 at 5:44pm

Well put it this way; people like chick flicks and Legally Blonde is basically the chick flick of Broadway.

It doesn't take itself too seriously and its not trying too hard to be all artsy, therefore you go and have a good time.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 8/9/08 at 6:51pm

xtly

[carymetorent2]

Posted: 8/10/08 at 2:32am

Richard Blake is currently out due to severe illness. His attendance is usually very good.

Updated On: 8/10/08 at 02:32 AM

[Anakela]

Posted: 8/10/08 at 2:46am

Nicolette Hart is playing Brooke totally different than Nikki Snelson, with a tough, gritty undertone (complete with what might be lesbian innuendo here and there) and it totally works.

I wasn't planning on going back to Blonde again until it was time to see Asmeret!Brooke, but I might have to check out Nicolette again, because I completely missed this (lesbian innuendo) in her Brooke the only time I saw her.