Review-Legally Blonde (9.9.07)

Legally Blonde (Sunday, 9.9.07)
Palace Theatre, New York, NY

By: Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin (music and lyrics), Heather Hach (book), Jerry Mitchell (direction and choreography), David Rockwell (scenic design), Gregg Barnes (costume design), Ken Posner & Paul Miller (lighting design), David Brian Brown (hair design)

Starring: Laura Bell Bundy (Elle Woods), Noah Weisberg (u/s Emmett Forrest), Orfeh (Paulette), Michael Rupert (Professor Callahan), Richard H. Blake (Warner Huntington III), Kate Shindle (Vivienne Kensington), Nikki Snelson (Shandi/Brooke Wyndham)

A young, vibrant cast, bright colors, chipper music and lots of light hearted jokes – it should all add up to a really good time. Well, most of the elements for Legally Blonde seem to be in place – it has a young and wide-eyed cast and a talented leading lady in the form of Laura Bell Bundy, it boasts bright and unidimensional sets and costumes by David Rockwell, and fun choreography by Jerry Mitchell. The show packs in the well-known plot, and even adds its own few twists along the way. Constructed by veterans, this show would seem to have all the elements for a highly successful hit show.

In the end, there is a lot to enjoy in Legally Blonde, and especially after having a drink during intermission, it zips along. That said, there is something rather labored about the whole effort. Especially after watching the effortless humor of Xanadu, Legally Blonde just seems to be trying a little too hard. The kids dance well and jump around the stage, the actors belt out their songs – yet that element is missing.

Another problem with the show is the score. Although it is bright and light, aside from “Omigod You Guys” it is unmemorable. And the lyrics are all over the place. Some of them are clever and cute, others not so much so. The “gay or European” line in the big courtroom scene gets tired quickly (it works as a one-liner, but not as a whole song), while Paulette’s big act one number “Ireland” is absolutely puzzling.

Not enough time is spent on developing character. Elle proves to be a little one-note, but at least she is memorable and the center of attention throughout the show. All the other characters are extremely one-dimensional – even Emmett is a little bland. Paulette, the other “fun” character is a little schizophrenic. In the film, Paulette was unsure of herself, and it was Elle who helped bring her out of her shell. In this show, Paulette may be a little sad, but she’s anything but unsure of herself. As Orfeh belts out her songs, she sounds confident. Sure it’s fun, but in terms of developing character, it doesn’t make any sense.

Others are simply not utilized well. Michael Rupert, a very talented actor, doesn’t have much to work with. Richard Blake, who has the unenviable task of playing the unsympathetic Warner Huntington III, and he does very little to develop the character. And Kate Shindle belts nicely, but her Vivienne is completely one-noted. Surprisingly, it is Nikki Snelson as Brooke Wyndham who registers a little range, but she has so little stage time it barely matters.

Which brings me to Laura Bell Bundy, who is just fine as Elle. Sure, she lacks the nuance and magnetism of Reese Witherspoon, but she is the one actor on stage who seems totally at ease with her character. She actually fares better in the moments when she gets to be more serious (though she is fun when she’s being bubbly), but it is the ease with which she moves from lines to songs to dancing that is so impressive. Anchored by her performance, she carries the show a long way.

In the end, the show works, and the audience seemed appreciative. But compared to other recent musical comedies – The Producers and Spamalot to name but two – it just seems that it shouldn’t be so hard. Perhaps if the creators and actors tried a little less hard, the show would be all that much more at ease with itself, and become a true achievement in musical comedy. For now, it is a decent and competent show, but simply not one that is memorable in any real way.