Moonbox Productions presents ‘Legally Blonde: The Musical.’ Music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin. Book by Heather Hach. Directed by Katie Ann Clark. Music Direction by Mindy Cimini. Choreographed by Taavon Gamble. Scenic Design by Sarabeth Spector. Lighting Design by Finn Bamber. Costume Design by William Andrew Young. Properties Design by Julia Wonkka. Sound Design by Gage Baker. At Roberts Studio Theatre, Calderwood Pavilion, Boston Center for the Arts. Though Dec. 31.
By Linda Chin
Right on the heels of a masterful Sweeney Todd in October, Moonbox Productions has pulled off yet another big hairy audacious musical with ‘blood in the water’ – Legally Blonde. This time around, the venue is the BCA, the story is set in current-day SoCal and Cambridge (Sarabeth Spector, scenic, Finn Bamber, lighting, Julia Wonkka, properties design), and the cut-throats are lawyers and law students. Helmed by Katie Anne Clark (in her professional directorial debut), musical director Mindy Cimini, and Choreographer Taavon Gamble, the cast of 21 – 20 humans and one chihuahua – deliver energetic, pitch-perfect performances that keep the audience engaged and entertained from start to finish.
Legally Blonde is most celebrated for its high-octane musical numbers – and the insanely catchy, superficial, and frothy opener “Omigod You Guys” not only puts you in a good mood right away but sets the stage for the fun – and fashion – that follows (costume design by William Andrew Young). The titular number ‘Legally Blonde’and its reprise, and “Bend and Snap” are iconic, and in “Whipped into Shape,” which opens Act 2 – the actors jump rope!
But Moonbox’s Legally Blonde is not all light-hearted and lightning-quick, fluffiness and frivolousness. As early as the second scene I realized that with Clark’s careful attention to character arcs and small details as well as big stage pictures, the story’s themes of busting stereotypes, finding true love, rooting for underdogs, believing in yourself, and realizing that dogs are a woman’s best friend (but humans could be too) would shine through.
UCLA Delta Nu sorority president Elle Woods, a sweet, bubbly, and non-stereotypically smart blonde, is at dinner with her wealthy, presumably smart (and IMO dull) Harvard Law School-bound boyfriend Warner Huntington III when he says they have something “serious” to discuss. Seriously in love with Warner and seriously stunning in a new dress she chose for the occasion (a “signature pink” that complements her golden tresses), Elle slowly extends her right hand across the table to meet his, then changes it to her left, gently guiding Warner (who’s awkward about these things) for their special moment.
Their nervous anticipation is so realistic, gestures so subtle, the pacing so perfect, this moment so still, you can practically hear their hearts beating, a pin drop. But Warner doesn’t pop the question, and Elle doesn’t get a ring on her finger, she gets the elbow. Then Warner takes the pin and bursts her bubble, telling her that in his journey to be a successful Senator, he needs to marry someone “more serious,” “more Jackie than Marilyn.” In this scene, Sarah Kelly (Elle) and Keith Robinson (Warner) display their strong vocal skills and acting chops.
Determined to get Warner back, Elle decides to prove that she can be “serious,” hits the books and studies for the LSAT, takes sample test after test until she aces it, and applies to Harvard Law School. And instead of the conventional “boring” personal statement, Elle and her sorority sisters fly from the West Coast and perform a rousing production number in the admissions office, complete with cheerleader outfits, kicks and splits, pom-poms, and officers who join in, then cave in. The crowd goes wild.
Although Elle’s been admitted, she struggles to be accepted. Her dog Bruiser (Ricky, absolutely adorable) – who watches Glee when she’s in class, and a trio of Delta Nus (triple-threats Ekaterina Hicks-Magaña, Melia Jost, Lisa Kate Joyce, also absolutely adorable) – who appear as a Greek chorus, remain loyal supporters. As the story unfolds, Elle meets two people who like her for who she is and help her realize that in trying to pursue her dream, she is motivated more by her (unrequited) love for Warner than for herself.
Hairdresser Paulette Belafonte (Yewande Odetoyinbo, luminous as always) becomes a close friend and confidante. Lawyer and teaching assistant Emmett Forrest (Darius Williams, charismatic and delightful) provides Elle with support and encouragement about contending with the notoriously obnoxious Professor Callahan (Will McGarrahan, perfectly cast) and life in general. A scene when Elle and Emmett go with Paulette to visit her dog (on his birthday) at the apartment she shared with her ex, Dewey (Brian Michael Hoffman, splendid as an actor and animal trainer), assert Paulette’s legal rights, and emerge, triumphant, with custody of the dog, is life-changing. Elle learns from this experience that this “is what law is,” what good lawyers can do, and what good friends are for. It is also one of the most moving and magical moments in the production.
Elle Woods believed that if you’re serious and motivated by love (and though you may have to work twice as hard to prove yourself), you can get closer to what you want. Elle may have whispered this in the ears of Katie Anne Clark and company because, OMG, you got this one. And Warner, you dumbass, both Jackie and Marilyn looked magnificent in pink. For tickets and information, go to: https://moonboxproductions.org/event/legally-blonde/
