Your Guide to Legally Blonde the Musical: The Plot, Characters & More
Welcome to our Ultimate Guide to Legally Blonde the Musical. This guide dives into the glittering world of Elle Woods, a sorority queen who steps out of her pink comfort zone to brave the hallowed halls of Harvard Law School, all in the name of love.
This musical serves up a delightful mix of humour, heart, and a lesson in self-discovery. Prepare to be immersed in a story that proves that authenticity never goes out of style.
Key Takeaways
- Legally Blonde the Musical: A fun and touching story about Elle Woods, a fashion-conscious sorority girl who goes to Harvard Law School to get her ex-boyfriend back. The musical shows us that if we believe in ourselves and never quit, we can reach any goal.
- Characters and Plot: The musical features a host of amazing characters and follows the journey of Elle Woods, a bubbly, fashion-obsessed sorority queen from California. Elle’s journey takes a turn when she gets a prestigious internship, working on a high-profile case under the guidance of Professor Callahan.
- History and Success: The musical is based on the 2001 movie Legally Blonde which was adapted from Amanda Brown’s novel of the same name. The musical made its Broadway debut at the Palace Theatre in April 2007 and received seven Tony nominations. Following its success on Broadway, Legally Blonde the Musical had a successful run on London’s West End.
History of Legally Blonde the Musical
Legally Blonde the Musical is based on the 2001 movie Legally Blonde which was adapted from Amanda Brown’s novel of the same name. The musical adaptation was first announced in 2004, and after two years of development, it premiered in San Francisco in January 2007.
The show was directed by Jerry Mitchell, with music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin, and book by Heather Hach.
The musical made its Broadway debut at the Palace Theatre in April 2007 and received seven Tony nominations. The original Broadway production starred Laura Bell Bundy as Elle Woods, Christian Borle as Emmett, and Orfeh as Paulette. The show ran for nearly two years on Broadway, closing in October 2008 after 595 performances.
Following its success on Broadway, Legally Blonde the Musical had a successful run on London’s West End, opening at the Savoy Theatre in December 2009. The West End production starred Sheridan Smith as Elle and received rave reviews, winning three Laurence Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical.
After its Broadway and West End runs, Legally Blonde the Musical has seen numerous productions worldwide, including tours in the United States and United Kingdom, and has been translated into several languages. The musical continues to be a favourite among theatre-goers for its uplifting story and catchy tunes.
The Plot
Legally Blonde the Musical follows the journey of Elle Woods, a bubbly, fashion-obsessed sorority queen from California. When her boyfriend, Warner Huntington III, breaks up with her to attend Harvard Law School, Elle is devastated. Warner tells her that he needs someone more “serious,” and Elle decides to prove him wrong.
Elle, determined to win back Warner, manages to get into Harvard Law School. She arrives in Cambridge, Massachusetts, decked out in her signature pink, much to the shock and amusement of her classmates.
Despite the initial struggles, Elle refuses to back down. She soon discovers that she has a natural knack for law and a compassionate heart that sets her apart.
Elle’s journey takes a turn when she gets a prestigious internship, working on a high-profile case under the guidance of Professor Callahan. She also finds an unexpected ally in Emmett Forrest, a teaching assistant who sees her potential and encourages her to rise above the stereotypes.
As the case unfolds, Elle realises that she is more than just a pretty face and that she doesn’t need to change who she is to fit in or succeed. She helps to solve the case by using her unique knowledge of fashion, proving that being true to oneself is the ultimate key to success.
The Legally Blonde the Musical Characters
Legally Blonde The musical has a whole host of amazing characters! These are:
| Characters | Description |
|---|---|
| Elle Woods | A fashion-conscious sorority girl who goes to Harvard Law School to get her ex-boyfriend back. |
| Emmett Forrest | A kind and smart assistant at Harvard Law who helps and falls in love with Elle. |
| Paulette Buonufonte | A fun and outspoken hair stylist who becomes a good friend to Elle. |
| Professor Callahan | A tough and strict law professor at Harvard who has a dark side. |
| Warner Huntington III | Elle’s former boyfriend who is studying law at Harvard and focused on his career. |
| Vivienne Kensington | A serious law student at Harvard who starts as Elle’s rival but becomes friendlier. |
| Brooke Wyndham | A well-known fitness leader and former sorority sister of Elle, accused of a crime. |
| Margot, Serena, and Pilar | Elle’s closest friends and sorority sisters, known for their humour and support. |
| Enid Hoopes | A strong-minded and somewhat tough Harvard law student. |
| Kyle B. O’Boyle | A charming delivery man who starts a romance with Paulette. |
| Chutney Wyndham | Brooke’s stepdaughter with an important part in the court case. |
| Whitney | A law student at Harvard and friend of Warner. |
| Kate | A smart law student and one of Elle’s friends from her sorority. |
| Delta Nu Sisters | Members of Elle’s sorority who support her and add to the story. |
The Songs in Legally Blonde the Musical
Legally Blonde the Musical has an amazing soundtrack! Here’s the full song list:
| Title |
|---|
| Omigod You Guys |
| Serious |
| What You Want |
| The Harvard Variations |
| Blood in the Water |
| Positive |
| Ireland |
| Chip on My Shoulder |
| So Much Better |
| Whipped Into Shape |
| Take It Like a Man |
| Bend and Snap |
| There! Right There! |
| Legally Blonde |
| Legally Blonde Remix |
| Find My Way/Finale |
Where to Watch Legally Blonde the Musical
Currently, there are no professional productions of Legally Blonde the Musical running, but the rights to license the musical are widely available. As a result, there are plenty of community theatre productions of the musical taking place.
Additionally, the Broadway production of the musical was recorded for MTV and is available to watch in full on YouTube.
What was MTV’s The Search for Elle Woods?
MTV’s The Search for Elle Woods was a reality TV show by MTV aimed at finding the next actress to play Elle Woods on Broadway, replacing Laura Bell Bundy.
The show featured 15 contestants living together and participating in weekly workshops and performances. With each passing week, contestants were eliminated until Bailey Hanks emerged as the winner and the new Elle Woods.
Final Thoughts
Legally Blonde the Musical is a fun and touching story about finding out who you really are. Full of style and good feelings, this musical shows us that if we believe in ourselves and never quit, we can reach any goal.
Frequently Asked Questions
In this section we answer your questions about Legally Blonde the Musical.
Is Legally Blonde the musical still on?
No professional productions are currently running, but the license for Legally Blonde the Musical is available for amateur theatre groups. Make sure to check if any local theatre groups in your area are staging the show.
Who has played Elle Woods in Legally Blonde the Musical?
Laura Bell Bundy originated the role of Elle Woods in the musical on Broadway. Sheridan Smith starred in the West End transfer. More recently, the role has been portrayed by Lucie Jones and Faye Brooks.
Where can I watch Legally Blonde the Musical?
The musical was filmed on Broadway by MTV and is available to watch on YouTube.
How long is Legally Blonde the Musical?
Legally Blonde The Musical has a runtime of 2 hours and 20 minutes.
