Harvard doesn’t know what it’s in for in Legally Blonde the Musical.

Blending Allana Turcotte’s upbeat direction and energetic and athletic choreography with Richard Marchetti’s lively music direction, Emerald City Theatrical presented Legally Blonde the Musical live and in person for one weekend only from Friday, August 22 through Sunday, August 24 at the Marilyn Rodman Performing Arts Center in Foxboro, Massachusetts.  This exuberant musical was greeted by an enthusiastic audience and ran two hours and twenty minutes with one intermission.  Parking was a little tricky, so allow some extra time when attending this theatre.  Click here for more information and here to see what Emerald City Theatrical is working on this season.

Elle Woods, a high school sorority student, thinks her future is set until she realizes things are not quite what they seem.  In order to win back her ex-boyfriend, Elle is determined to attend Harvard Law School. 

This is the fundamental premise of the 2001 movie, Legally Blonde, which is on the verge of celebrating its 25^th anniversary of the film’s release.  Starring Reese Witherspoon, this box office success inspired a sequel, award-winning Legally Blonde: the Musical and a prequel series currently in the works.  Although Reese Witherspoon portrays inspirational Elle Woods with humor and heart, this romantic comedy has its share of superficial, silly and over the top moments which can be a lighthearted distraction from the film’s themes.

However, with book by Heather Hach, music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin, Legally Blonde: the Musical’s cast recording hatches out some of cast’s psyche and motivations while still maintaining its frothy and comic charm.  While everything seems to be made into a musical these days, Emerald City Theatrical presents Legally Blonde: the Musical as a well paced production which expands and elaborates on the film’s themes while further resonating its inherent message.

Musical numbers such as Serious and Chip on My Shoulder offer greater insight and further dimension into Michelle Moran as Elle Woods that is only touched upon in the film.  For example, in a beautiful and humorous duet called Serious between Elle and Nathan Corbett as Warner, both share they want different things.  Corbett manages to make Warner at first sympathetic and well intentioned under his parents’ unrelenting pressure which offers this character a bit more perspective and both have compelling comic timing.  Moran also shares some endearing scenes with Max Connor as handsome, earnest and hardworking Emmett and their duet Chip on My Shoulder is one of the musical’s greatest highlights. 

Michelle Moran portrays Elle as more introspective than excitable while delivering her share of sparkling wit.  With strong vocals and distinctive laugh, Moran navigates her change of scenery from California to Harvard with a flourish even under the pressure to fit in. 

From cheerful ensembles to colorful school uniforms to classic three piece suits, Emerald City Theatrical, known for its extraordinary costumes, navigates from dazzling to stately in bright and bold colors before later presenting a classic and darker color scheme in browns and grays.  The rolling set features multicolored floral arrangements, a layered pink backdrop with gold accents, white pillars and crown molding that even highlight sparkles in the tablecloth to contrast Harvard’s confined monochrome dark wood paneling and red brick accents.

Delores Salamurovic as Serena, Abby Turchon as Margot and Carina Lopes as Pilar make a squealing yet contemplative Greek chorus as Elle ventures into Harvard’s new and challenging territory with the bright and optimistic number, Positive.  Acting as a cheering squad for Elle while offering a mix of wise and misguided advice, this wild and humorous trio lightens some of the show’s more serious moments.

While Norwell-born Jennifer Coolidge personified the character of Paulette, Grace Graham wisely does not imitate Coolidge while making outspoken and candid hairdresser Paulette her own in unique Emerald City ensembles that stand out in ripped jeans, denim boots and mismatched flair.  With some sharp physical comic timing, a light city accent and a vocal growl, Graham makes quite an impression whether in Ireland’s Celtic swagger or in the flirtatious Bend and Snap alongside Moran.   

Jim Braunstein boasts gravitas and commanding vocals as Professor Callahan and clearly relishes the role.  In a beige and brown suit, his wry and egoistical demeanor is immediately evident in a commanding Blood in the Water.  Olivia Lancellotta also depicts cold disdain well as Vivienne and it is fascinating to watch her interact with Moran’s dreamy and optimistic Elle. 

From the giddy Omigod You Guys to uplifting So Much Better to Find My Way, Legally Blonde: the Musical is a show not to be taken too seriously until it gradually starts to take itself seriously.   Some of the giddiness can be a lot and a few of the characters never go beyond the surface, but there is an inspirational sincerity underneath that could encourage anyone to reach for the stars.

Emerald City Theatrical presented Legally Blonde: the Musical live and in person for one weekend only from Friday, August 22 through Sunday, August 24 at the Marilyn Rodman Performing Arts Center in Foxboro, Massachusetts.  Click here for more information and here to see what Emerald City Theatrical is working on this season.