BREAKING NEWS

Due to a toe injury, Becky Gulsvig will be out of LB and Lauren Zakrin will be going on as Elle tonight...and most likely for (at least) the next two weeks' performances.

Update: Rumors of a Laura Bell Bundy return?

Sometimes, I Just Fall In Love With a Performer's Voice

Haven Burton favorites:

"Take Me or Leave Me" Rent


Legally Blonde

Here She Is, Miss America

Already a fan of Kate Shindle?  A woman with more talent than Legally Blonde allowed her to show, she keeps a hilarious blog  and I've now found her fancy, new website.  I implore you to give them a look.


"Alone"

For all of you in Houston, Texas

Rumor has it that Lauren Zakrin and Rhiannon Hansen will be splitting Elle duties for the week the tour is in Houston.

Greetings from Oxford

I may not be in the country right now, but important things are still happening in the theatre world.

Here are some highlights from the weekend:

Bailey Hanks made her Broadway debut, headlining Jerry Mitchell's Legally Blonde.  Her vocals have improved and the key change in "So Much Better" no doubt helped the song sit better on her voice.  Be sure to listen for Autumn Hurlbert in "Omigod, You Guys!"  Her character, Leilani, sings "Elle and Warner were meant to be."

Les Miserables at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles; Lea Michele, who turned down the role of Eponine in the 2006 revival (the role went to Celia Keenan-Bolger) to star in Spring Awakening, finally gets to fulfill her dream of taking on the role.  John Lloyd Young stars as Marius, and while his casting initially seemed like an odd choice, he proves to be an inspired addition to the cast.  Here, Young and Michele sing "A Little Fall of Rain."

Michele brings down the house with her rendition of Act Two showstopper, "On My Own" during dress rehearsal.

A long way from Dunder Mifflin, Melora Hardin, best known for her role as Jan, Michael Scott's unstable former boss and girlfriend on NBC's The Office, Hardin embodies another tortured female role, Fantine, and sings "I Dreamed a Dream."

"It's Not Up to Me, Just Let Me Be Legally Blonde"

...So Bailey Hanks is the next Elle Woods.  As I rewatched episodes from the season, I realized this outcome was inevitable.  Bernie Telsey and Paul Canaan have been huge Bailey fans since the very beginning and while I still believe Autumn is the more talented actress and performer, I recognized rewatching the episodes that Bailey is Elle Woods.  She really doesn't have to act, and just looking at her, you see Elle.  

But Autumn held her own against Bailey.  Here's a play by play of each number: 

"Omigod, You Guys":  
Bailey rose up from the stage floor as director Jerry Mitchell looked on, his mouth agape, his eyes full of wonder like a chid who has just experienced his first snow.  I am not sure what exactly he found so wonderous about Bailey's entrance--she just stood on a platform and turned around.  I honestly wish there had been a camera that filmed Mitchell's reactions.  During the auditions, he gasped, he oohed and ahhed, he sang along.  He was a great show, perhaps even more entertaining than Bailey and Autumn combined.  But I digress...though Bailey's vocals are not as strong as Laura Bell's, Becky Gulsvig's or Autumn's, she has a charisma that is hard to ignore. Her excitement is contagious, her spunk infectious.  She is someone I can see young girls immediately drawn to, someone who can urge young theatre-goers to beg their parents for Blonde tickets, and from a producer's point of view, that's golden.  Cha-ching!

I did not like Autumn's wig; I find it hard to believe that was the best one available.  Becky Gulsvig, the first cover for Laura Bell Bundy, has absolutely gorgeous warm, strawberry blonde wigs.  I think these would have better complemented Autumn's skin tone.  She has a very pale complexion and the wrong blonde can (and does) wash out her skin, making her appear ashen, a far cry from the golden warmth California sorority girl Elle should possess.  Autumn's vocals were stellar (particularly her final note), but she came off less "sorority girl" (or given the direction of the production, Mitchell's idea of a sorority girl) though she did give off the impression that she was a leader and a girl people respected.  

"Positive": Why hasn't Mitchell been around this whole time? He called Bailey on her habit of "schmacting," pointing out that she has a habit of playing more to the audience than interacting with her fellow actors/scene partners.  Bailey hit a few bad notes, but she more than made up for it by excelling in the dance sequence, executing the choreography crisply and infusing Elle with a young, fresh spunk.

The dance break in this number is one of my favorite parts of the show, but I knew this was going to cause problems for Autumn. "Positive" was not Autumn's best; she struggled with lyrics, awkwardly fumbled through choreography, and looked a little out of place.  A large part of her problem is that she fails to attack the music when she dances.

"So Much Better":  Autumn's rendition was fantastic.  She has a great talent for tapping into Elle's psyche and expressing the sensitivity Elle feels at the beginning of the number as well as her escalating feelings of empowerment as the song continues.  When watching Autumn, who, at twenty-eight, has struggled for her Broadway break for many years, you cannot help but want her to succeed.  She has an enormous amount of talent, and it is a shame it has gone unrecognized for so long.

Heather Hach praised Bailey's performance, citing how impressive and "believable" Elle's relationship with Warner and revelation was.  I had a very different impression and didn't find myself particularly enamored with Bailey's rendition.

Bailey was declared the winner and performed an encore of "So Much Better" with Autumn singing in the chorus behind her.  It reminded me of the Grease: You're the One That I Want finale, when Ashley Spencer and Austin Miller were forced to dance around enthusiastically behind Laura Osnes and Max Crumm just moments after learning they'd lost roles they'd been auditioning for since January.  It seems like cruel and unusual punishment to make these kids put on a happy face as they watch someone else live their dream.  

However, though my favorite girl did not win the competition, I am willing to give Bailey a chance.  I can see she has potential.  The other finalists are also benefitting from this experience; Jerry Mitchell likes to "keep it in the family" and repeatedly works with many of the same actors and actresses.  Lauren and Rhiannon are going on tour, with Rhiannon playing Margot (inspired casting) and Lauren "bending and snapping" with the ensemble and understudying Elle (and should she go on, it would be one of the few times where people will be excited to see an understudy slip in their playbills).  Autumn is taking over for Becky Gulsvig, who is leaving the Broadway company to headline the Legally Blonde national tour.  Autumn will play a myriad of characters in the ensemble, including sorority girl Leilani, as well as understudying Elle.

Extra!

Bailey Hanks (Elle Woods) and Ven Daniel's (Kyle, the UPS man) Dress Rehearsal

"We Go Together"

Photo Credits Broadway.com and Broadwayworld.com

So...I have this obsession with people's "last shows."  I love what it brings out in performances--the shear joy, the laughter, the sadness.  This week, there were a lot of "lasts," with Skylar Astin, Laura Bell Bundy, Lilli Cooper, Max Crumm, Brian Charles Johnson, Natalie Joy Johnson, Andy Karl, Laura Osnes, Matthew Saldivar, Phoebe Strole, and Remy Zaken all taking their last bow in their respective shows.  So here's a few of my favorite shots from the weekend:



The cast of Grease crowds around its leads.  After a whirlwind year where they went from struggling unknown actors to the leaders of a Broadway company, Laura Osnes and Max Crumm left Grease to pursue other projects.  Crumm is reportedly heading back to Los Angeles where he hopes to focus on television and film projects while Osnes is attached to other projects in New York including Bye, Bye Birdie and Pride and Prejudice concerts.  
Crumm carries Osnes offstage after their final curtain call.  Osnes and Crumm have enjoyed a close friendship since the beginning of their journey, having met in line the first day of casting calls for the reality show.

Laura Bell Bundy shares a tender moment with onstage (and offstage) love Christian Borle at the celebration following her final performance in Legally Blonde.  Laura Bell will next join co-star and close friend Paul Canaan to travel across the country for their Take It to the Top performance workshop series.

Delta Nu love! Laura Bell Bundy, Andy Karl (wearing a shirt referencing a line cut from the script after the San Francisco tryout), and Natalie Joy Johnson prepare for new projects.  Andy Karl will join the cast of upcoming Broadway musical, 9 to 5, starring Allison Janney, Megan Hilty, and Stephanie J. Block and featuring a score by Dolly Parton while Natalie will join the Blonde tour taking on the role of insecure beautician Paulette, a role originally played by Karl's wife, Orfeh.

Several months after Lea Michele and Jonathan Groff exited the tony winning Spring Awakening, remaining original cast members Phoebe Strole, Remy Zaken, Brian Charles Johnson, Skylar Astin, and Lilli Cooper, played their last performance.  Zaken and Cooper will head to universities.

Variety Show: Thoughts from the Week

I've seen some rehearsal videos of Aubrey O'Day and I'll admit...she's much better than I expected.  While I cannot confidently say she will be a stellar Amber, I do think there is potential there . Check it Out

I've also seen video from the open 9 to 5 rehearsal, but I was a little frustrated that all they showed was the title song. I understand that that is the most recognizable tune, but I really wish we'd gotten to see hear more of the score. There's no way to gauge the quality of the score. However, I'll give Dolly Parton the benefit of the doubt.  I am also a huge fan of Allison Janney, I think Megan Hilty is perfectly cast, and I'm excited to see Stephanie J. Block in another leading role.  I'm a huge fan of her voice, and it's a shame she hasn't had more opportunities to showcase her talent. Check it Out

The Search for the Next Elle Woods...Some how, though I didn't intend it, I managed to get incredibly invested in this show.  The reality show has pulled me in.


The reality is...not one of the girls left is a triple threat.  The best Elle would have a combination of Bailey's dancing, Autumn's vocal ability, Lauren's character choices, and Rhiannon's quirkiness and bone structure.  But the reality is...that's not an option.  The "What You Want" audition was insane; with the exception of  "Legally Blonde: Remix," it's probably the most challenging number in the show.  Autumn maintained good energy throughout but failed to master the tap combination and Rhiannon lost her breath (and sang with an extremely weak voice).  In my opinion, Lauren and Bailey probably did the best job overall (yes, folks, I just complimented Bailey.)  After the Amazon.com snafu (which sounds like Bailey unless Autumn is singing in some crazy head voice) and in the light of recent "spoilers," it's looking like  Bailey win with a possibility of Autumn earning an ensemble track, and honestly, that breaks my heart.  Bailey is very cute, but that's it; there's no depth there, her acting is weak, and she's merely giving an imitation of Laura Bell Bundy...and guess what, Bailey?  Laura Bell did it better.  I've resigned myself to the fact that come Monday, I will most likely be disappointed with the results...however, while this does make me upset about the New York production, I am looking forward to the tour even more.  I've learned to have a greater appreciation for Becky Gulsvig, and it'll be nice to see Lauren.

Moving on...

Several Confessions:

I absolutely love Mamma Mia.  The first time I saw this show, I was in the midst of breakup number two from the high school ex-boyfriend from hell and I cried during "The Winner Takes it All."  The second time I saw it, right before my high school graduation, my mother and I were both in tears during "Slipping Through My Fingers."  This show--as silly, campy, and ridiculous as it is--means a lot to me. 

I love Meryl Streep and Colin Firth.

I love the way Greece photographs on film.  It's gorgeous, and every time I see the landscape in a movie, I yearn to go there.

And I absolutely hated the Mamma Mia film.

And this isn't a case of "I saw the stage show and nothing on film could ever compare and the movie has to be exactly like the show."  I don't approach musical adaptations like that.  I enjoyed Hairspray and Chicago a great deal.  But this---not so much.

Meryl Streep gives her campiest, weakest performance to date, Pierce Brosnan cannot sing (and I actually laughed out loud during several of his numbers), and my favorite relationship, Bill and Rosie, was diminished; they barely interacted and "Take a Chance on Me" came off out of the blue, desperate, and awkward. 

Why the narrative plot holes?  Why the awful fantasy sequences in "Money Money Money"?  

The director staged this film in an awful, absolutely misguided way, with such frenetic over produced cinematography.  I actually found myself cringing at moments.  However, the movie does have its moments...and most of them involve the divine Christine Baranski and the hilarious Julie Walters.  Thank goodness for them.

The Search for Elle Woods, Episode 6

Hi there, readers; I apologize for the delay on this post (and all others after it for awhile). This was my first week back at school; I'm studying abroad in Europe this semester, and to prepare for the travel ahead, I have a three week class sequence to take. Needless to say, my days have been hopelessly devoted to church history, western civilization, and architectural design...there has been little time to write and update. 

This week's episode was a little uncomfortable to watch; with only five girls left, there's a heightened level of intensity; every audition means more, every girl's performance in the workshop exercise is even more scrutinized, and the stress is taking a toll on the contestants. This week, both Autumn and Natalie went blonde, evening the playing field, and the girls were tested to see which girl could set herself apart and exhibit both her "inner and outer Elle." The girls sang the "Legally Blonde" ballad with Andy Karl....so whose name was on the list? Who was sent packing?

Autumn admitted that she was not a fan of her blonde hair, and I  have to admit--neither am I.   Because she is a little on the pale side, I think she would be better off with a more strawberry blonde color; this blonde washes her out too much.  After a rough few weeks, Autumn needed to excel this week.  Not only was her publicity shot inventive and fun, but her "Legally Blonde" audition was by far the strongest of all the girls'.  She really evoked Elle's utter devastation and disappointment.  I hope producers choose her; if not, I at least take comfort that, as the most talented of the bunch, this opportunity will open many doors for her.

What a shocker! Bailey copied Laura Bell's pose!  I never expected that at all...I have never been a fan of Bailey's, and this week certainly did not make a convert out of me.  Bailey did not connect to the material at all this week; her performance lacked sincerity, vulnerability and believability and I feel like she spent more time crying about the inch cut off of her hair than she did thinking about the motivations and emotions she should be portraying.

Lauren gave the second best performance this week.  I absolutely loved her singing (her slide during the word "drive"--wonderful--like candy for the ears!) and am extremely excited to see her perform "What You Want" next week.  However, I think her age will ultimately work against her.  I doubt producers will give someone so young the role of Elle; anchoring a show is an extremely large task for an eighteen year old, plus she looks extremely young (even next to Andy Karl who looks younger than Christian Borle).

Natalie won the challenge this week, and I am not sure why.  There is nothing particularly innovative about a short girl standing on top of a few books, but okay then...I have been a fan of Natalie's since the beginning, and though I knew she was not right for Elle, I was upset to see her sent home this week.  She clearly had a much stronger voice than Rhiannon, and on principle, that should have earned her another week to stay.  But alas, Natalie was sent back to the sun, back to the shore, back to who she was before.  However, I am hoping to see her show up in something...perhaps Penny in Hairspray?

Oh, Rhiannon.  First, you say that Emma should have stayed over Autumn, and then you give poor performances in both the photo challenge and the audition.  As huggable and adorable as I normally find you, you were not my favorite person this week.

Rhiannon's audition this week was the weakest by far, and there is absolutely no way she'll make it past next week.  She does have an interesting personality, but that can only go so far.  She is not ready yet; there is absolutely no way she is capable of handling the material and belting out the score eight times a week.  I felt myself cringing during her belting (so many poor notes!) and realized that she plays Elle very young...and very dumb.  Rhiannon and Bailey emphasize Elle's ditzy side more while Autumn and Lauren attempt to emphasize that she's actually intelligent.  I said this earlier, and I'll say it again--Rhiannon is better suited to Margot.

Search for Elle Woods, Episode 5

Yes, dancing in stiletto pink boots on cobblestones in Brooklyn will TOTES help you be a better Elle! For real.

This week, the girls were challenged to learn the "Positive" dance sequence. The winner of the dance challenge, Natalie, got to take a yoga class with Kate Shindle. The judges then challenged the girls to rate who the worst actor, dancer, singer. Autumn, in true Elle fashion, turned it around, and put a positive spin on the judges' questions. The girls no longer rated who they thought was the worst actor or worst singer. Instead, they voted and discussed who the best actor was, who the most improved singer was, and so forth.

Autumn landed in the bottom two again this week, and again I didn't think she deserved to be there (though I admit that when it comes to her, I may not be the best judge). MTV also edited the show to make it look like she threw up from nervousness, when in reality, she had food poisoning from yogurt.
Bailey, as much as I hate to say it, really "worked it" this week. She commands attention when she dances, she stands out, and she made good use of her hair. I'm betting she'll make it to the Elle finals.
Emma "didn't make the list" this week, and I'm honestly not surprised. She continued to blame her problems on her bronchitis (there should be a drinking game where every time she says bronchitis, you take a shot). I suspect bronchitis may have contributed to her struggling, but the reality is she had trouble with her singing before bronchitis and she admitted she was a weak dancer in the first episode. I honestly didn't think she was very good, but I do feel sympathy for her--it must be incredibly hard to live in the shadow of her famous director father.
Lauren has a lot of raw talent and an interesting presence. She's not the thinnest or most attractive girl there nor is she the most experienced, but there is something about her that is magnetic. She's interesting to watch, and I grow to appreciate her more every week.
I said Natalie lacked charisma last week, and after this most recent performance, I sincerely apologize and retract my statement. She really turned on the charm this week.
Rhiannon, like I suspected, struggled a little this week. I actually think she did better in rehearsal than she did in the audition, which is frustrating and unfortunate.

Next week, the girls take on the "Legally Blonde" ballad and are going to work with Andy Karl as Emmett. I predict that Autumn and Lauren will excel and that Bailey and Rhiannon will be the ones to go to the casting office.

The Search for Elle Woods, Episode 4

I never fail to be entertained by the challenges producers continue to throw at the contestants on this show. This week, the girls were tested on their ability to bond with their chihuahua costars. While I understand the importance of having an Elle that works well with the dog playing Bruiser, I'm not sure that a girl's ability to channel the "Dog Whisperer" should factor that heavily into casting directors' evaluation of her potential at this point in the audition process...but maybe that's just me. However, the challenge this week did allow for lots of girly screaming and plenty of shots of cute dogs. Cassie S frightened the dogs, Bailey called her dog stupid (major no no), and Autumn won the challenge and had the opportunity to meet Richard H. Blake, giving her (in theory) a leg up on the audition scene for this week, "Serious."
Now on to the performances...
I will agree with the judges that Autumn's performance was not her best, but I will argue that it certainly did not warrant a place on the chopping block. Though it does seem unfair, I suspect that they wanted to scare her a little or make an example of her. Beyond that, I can't understand why they would criticize her so much, when, even at her worst, she still performed better than many of the girls there.
Though she has outstanding vocals, I'm still not a Bailey fan, and especially after this week, I'm exhausted by her Laura Bell Bundy impersonation. There's nothing new about this portrayal; I've seen it before, and while Broadway replacements have the difficult task of honoring the performer(s) that came before them, they should also bring something different to to the role--Bailey does not. Her Elle is too cookie cutter, too precise. However, given that casting director Bernie kisses the ground she walks on, she has a very good chance of winning.
Ding Dong, Cassie S is gone, and my did she go out with a bang. Her "Serious" was pretty painful to listen to and to watch--the girl really needs to take some acting and singing lessons. She came off very young, very whiny, and not very sympathetic. You're almost glad when Warner dumps her. Cassie was shocked when she was called into the casting office, and seemed genuinely confident that she had done a great job. However, her cluelessness was not what made me cringe the most. The judges explained that she could be a great swing etc., and she completely rejected the idea, explaining that she wanted to be a STAR. Bad call, Cassie. The majority of people working on Broadway are ensemble members or swings, and one of the judges in front of you (Paul Canaan) is one in Legally Blonde. When Cassie finally got the boot, she proceeded to rant that she didn't deserve to be cut. Face it, Cassie--you are neither awesome blossom nor fabulous fantastic. Good riddance!
Celina was the other girl to get the boot. While it was clear that she did not have an "Elle presence," this week I did somewhat understand why the casting directors kept around. She's actually a good actress and singer; she just wasn't right for this part...and really, I can't say anything bad about a girl who told off Cassie S.
Though she was suffering from bronchitis, Emma showed marked improvement this week (ie: no more mean Elle) in her scene with Richard. Her acting was better, and so was her singing, but the girl still has trouble belting, and there's just no way that a girl that struggles with belting is going to be Elle.
I may have to jump on the Lauren bandwagon here; she was by far my favorite this week (though I would have appreciated seeing a little less of her cleavage, ahem). She's got a really strong belt, and while she made a few choices and a few inflections I didn't agree with, she was interesting to watch; she was warm and Elle seemed more three dimensional and more relatable compared to how other girls have portrayed her. Plus, she had really good chemistry with Richard (just like she did with Nikki...good sign. Side note: Lauren fans can breathe this coming week; judging from the promo run at the beginning of the series, she'll definitely be around for the "What You Want" audition scene, which isn't next week.)
I like Natalie, but as I thought about the episode, I actually forgot about her and wouldn't have remembered her if I hadn't looked back at the full audition scenes online. I think she really just needs to take it to the next level (as Tyra Banks would say). If she gets eliminated, I think it will be because she's not charismatic enough, not because she doesn't have the talent.
And finally...Rhiannon. I don't know why, but I really like her (as my best friend Kate explained, "She just looks like she'd be so cool to be friends with"). Of all the girls this week, she had, by far, the best comedic timing. However, she's not the strongest singer, which could cause her problems.


Next week's episode is making me a little nervous. It's centered on dancing, and something tells me Emma, Autumn, and Rhiannon could struggle...and if Autumn goes, this will be one unhappy musical theatre junkie. Additionally, the challenge next week looks horrendous. Who's the worst dancer? singer? actor? Who needs to lose weight? How very un Elle Woods of them! Isn't the Broadway show supposed to be praising girl power, confidence, and friendship? No snaps for you.

Search for Elle Woods, Episode 3

Before we get started, I must profess my undying love and devotion to Seth Rudetsky. A writer, actor, vocal coach, and radio host, his appearance on this show is like a shining beacon of sanity (and his video blogs after each episode are genius). If you're not familiar with who he is, look up some of his stuff; you won't be sorry.

Moving right along....Tonight the girls tried their hand at Blonde's opening number "Omigod, You Guys." This song is one of the most addictive in the entire score and sets the tone for how the audience feels about Elle. If you can't hook them by the end of this number, you're never going to. The audience has to adore Elle, and recognize both her sweetness and her strength in this number. So, were the contestants up to the task? The verdict is in...

Autumn again proved to be one of the strongest in the bunch. She flubbed one of the opening lyrics, but managed to cover it up without flinching. Her acting is subtle and thought out; she makes good choices, but what about Legally Blonde is subtle? She may need to vamp it up a little. (Side note: Autumn is now sporting blonde curls; judging from that and several of her comments on her fan page, I'm guessing she's the winner).
Bailey is good and her "Omigod" song and book scene were solid. I will give her that much. She's more consistent than most of the girls, but for some reason, the more I see her, the less I like her. For me, there's a lack of sincerity there.
Cassie S continues to make herself even more polarizing (and given MTV's edit of the show, I'd bet money that she's not going to win; MTV will be careful to only show the winner in a positive or sympathetic light--the target audience for LB is young girls and their parents, and with that kind of audience, you can't boost ticket sales when you're leading lady is known to be a raging diva; parents will buy tickets to see a young lady their daughters can look up to and respect, and Cassie S's antics thusfar take her out of the running). Cassie S did improve from last week; but that's not saying a lot. Her voice is still a little on the shrill side and I can't stand the scrunched up faces she makes (check out Bailey's audition for a good example).
The appeal of Spam, what Bob Dylan says, how to balance a chemical equation...Celina joins this list of things I don't understand. I still am wondering why she's there, when audition after audition, she fails to show anything akin to an "Elle Woods presence." She came off a little mocking and extremely out of place.
Emma showed improvement this week vocally, but the judges were right: she comes off mean, and Elle Woods can be interpreted in many ways, but mean is not an adjective that describes her. Here, she comes off as just a bitchy sorority girl--not exactly someone we want to root for.
Lauren has a bit of a battle ahead of her. She clearly does not look like a college graduate, and her face tends to look a little scowly. I don't think she's mean, I just think, unlike Bailey who always looks wide eyed and giddy, Lauren's face tends to be more serious. Her acting and belting were good, but it all didn't come together this week. (Side note: Rumor has it that Lauren does not get the role of Elle, but she does get cast on the tour. Though she may not work as Elle, she may be a very good swing or Delta Nu.)
Lindsey, Lindsey, Lindsey. Lindsey got the boot this week, and to be perfectly honest, I was not the least bit surprised. Her voice was too low for the song and she struggled with the lyrics throughout the entire episode. (Honey, if this is your dream role, you need to know the words; I understand flubs happen, but when you clearly are clueless about the lyrics, something's wrong. I know all the lyrics to the song, and I'm not auditioning on national television.)
Natalie was lovely this week, and while in the long run, she may not end up being the best girl for Elle, she would make a great Delta Nu, or a hilarious Margot or Serena.
Though ridiculously likable, Rhiannon doesn't work for Elle in my opinion. Her vocals aren't as strong as they need to be, but her acting is very interesting and even more impressive to me, she put an incredible amount of energy into all of the girls' auditions when they had to sing back up. Cast her as a Delta Nu.  As Margot, she'd be genius.

Becky Gulsvig to "Bend and Snap" as Elle in the Legally Blonde National Tour

Having appeared as Amber in Hairspray, performed as a Deltu Nu sorority girl, and understudied the roles of Serena, Margot, and Elle in Legally Blonde, Gulsvig has proven herself to be a versatile and valuable performer. The vocally excellent Gulsvig has been tapped to lead the national touring company as Elle Woods, the sorority girl with a heart of gold. Her energy is quite different from Bundy's, and her Elle comes off as more intellectual and serious, but Broadway Blonde fans swear by her.

Here's some videos to help you decide if she's "What You Want":

Becky Gulsvig and Laura Bell Bundy go through blocking with director Jerry Mitchell.

Search for Elle Woods, Episodes 1 and 2

Omigod, you guys...they're totally ripping off the Grease reality show and searching for Laura Bell Bundy's replacement! This show is just as silly and ridiculous as I expected, and watching the contestants, I can't help but feel sorry for Laura Bell Bundy for knowing that her replacement is being chosen in such a ridiculous fashion and wonder what Annaleigh Ashford and Becky Gulsvig, two Elle understudies who were more than deserving of taking over the role, think. However, Jerry Mitchell and the producers-that-be decided to go in a different direction; Annaleigh is now in Chicago doing Wicked and Becky is primed to launch the Legally Blonde tour. Where does that leave the Broadway company? Is one of these women actually capable of carrying a show, performing 8 times a week, and appearing onstage for around 90% of the show's length?

Exhibit A: Annaleigh Ashford "So Much Better"
Exhibit B: Becky Gulsvig Act One Highlights

The premiere was contrived; Host Haylie Duff made several references to her Broadway debut as Amber in Hairspray--how hard she worked, the frustrations of the audition process, the long hours. Clearly, no one told her:
1. Her talent didn't get her the role. Her last name did.
2. She was one of the worst received Ambers.
3. It is not necessary to refer to oneself again and again; we get it--you were on Broadway. Next, please?

As calculated and scripted as this show seems to be, I must at least applaud the producers for including acting and dance auditions in this show; all potential Elles are forced to undergo workshops in fitness, vocal performance, acting scenes, and dance sequences, whereas the Grease contestants only "sang" for their supper.

Instead of doing a traditional recap of the episodes, I think I'm going to focus more on the contestants. So here we go:
Autumn is by far my favorite in the running right now. Her "So Much Better" audition in the first episode was strong, and just as importantly, it was different--she clearly wasn't trying to channel Laura Bell Bundy's Elle and I appreciate that she was presenting her own interpretation. Her acting audition with Nikki Snelson was inspired. While I could have done without her dropping on the floor in relief when the judges told her that Nikki had dropped a line to test her, I still applaud her performance. Autumn is also a member of AEA and earned raves for her turn as Beth in the first Little Women national tour, so she definitely has some credibility as a performer. She may be a redhead, but she might be the perfect girl to go Blonde.

Judging from several internet polls, Bailey seems to be the fan favorite. A wholesome, Southern gal and pastor's daughter, she comes across as incredibly likeable and warm, had impressive chemistry with Nikki, and her interpretation of Elle is much closer to Bundy's than Autumn's. She is surprisingly adept at hiding her heavy Southern accent and when dancing in large groups, even in a sea of blondes, she somehow stands out. However, I worry that her Elle, while relatable, is not very realistic. Could her Elle really rise to the top of the class at Harvard? Would we really believe that her Elle was intelligent, or would she just seem incredibly lucky?

Cassie O. has gone home, having been eliminated in the second episode. In the first episode, she lost some points with me when she explained that she "just loved the sound that comes out of her mouth." It came off very narcissistic, but she redeemed herself when she talked about how she loves to talk with a dorky lisp. Her "So Much Better" audition was one of the strongest, and her acting during that song showed potential. It's unfortunate that her acting in the scene with Nikki Snelson was so wooden, stilted, and awkward. She lacked a great deal of energy, she stumbled over her words, and she seemed quite confused. It was extremely disappointing given her vocal talent.

Cassie S. might be familiar to some of you as Brenda from Hairspray, the Nicest Kid in Town who was just a little too "fun lovin and freewheelin." As a dancer, she is stellar, but this also comes back to haunt her as she tends to fall into a pattern of standing in stances like fifth position during acting scenes, making her appear stiff and posey. Her singing, for me, is subpar, and unfortunately, no one has told her that her motto, "awesome blossom fabulous fantastic" is hideously annoying. She seems like too much of a diva, and I am NOT a fan.

Celina is a complete mystery to me for many reasons. I'm not sure why the judges chose her to be a finalist. She looks and acts nothing like Elle Woods, and her raw demeanor and scratchy voice would be much better suited for Elle's classmate Enid in the show. Celina also confuses me because she is one of the few contestants who actually has professional experience (appearances in 42nd Street, Cats, and Tarzan, to name a few). Given her background, I expected her to be more polished, professional, and more prepared. However, she did not handle the "dropped line" challenge well at all, and looked fidgety and uncomfortable as she struggled to improvise. She needs to go soon; I understand the judges want to mold her, but I think they're fighting a losing battle when it comes to her.

I look at Emma and I want to like her. Physically, she is ideal for the role. Her singing and acting are fine (though in her scene with Nikki, she did come off as a little aggressive), and she struggles a little with the dancing portion, but so far, she hasn't shown a "wow" factor. It also worries me that she is lauded theatre director Jerry Zaks' daughter--she must have had a lot of opportunities for lessons yet she is not an amazing performer. If it hasn't kicked in yet, will it ever? Still, I hope she surprises me. However, I will say that I think it is a little suspect that she did a show with actor-judge Paul Canaan, but both have neglected to mention this fact.

Lauren is the youngest of the bunch and her youth worried me at first. Despite her youthful appearance, she acts older and more mature in her scenes as Elle and comes off incredibly poised. While I did not necessarily agree with all of her acting choices, I did find her approach interesting. Her singing voice is also remarkably strong given her age and experience and it stands up against the more seasoned performers she's competing against. However, her "I'm not here to make friends" attitude could come back to haunt her and her youthful appearance could be a drawback in the theatre world, where casting directors tend to go for older performers.

Lindsey is stunning. Long, lean, and by far, the most striking of the girls, Lindsey is the first one that caught my attention. However, her acting scene with Nikki Snelson was an enormous disappointment. She came off disingenuous, she stumbled over words, she overacted, and she stood silently and awkwardly when Nikki dropped a line, and did not even attempt to cover the mistake and move on. If she had acting chops, I think she could be a serious contender; unfortunately, after this past week's workshop, I am concerned that she has a long, hard climb ahead of her if she ever wants to be the next Elle Woods.

Though she does not have conventional Elle Woods looks, Natalie's performances in the first two weeks have established her as a serious contender. Her "So Much Better" audition was the best of the bunch, and she belted the final note perfectly (several of the other girls' auditions were painful to listen to) and though she was thrown a little by Nikki's line drop, she managed to recover and improvise well. However, before the audition, she did get extremely emotional, which worries me. WIll she have what it takes to withstand the competition? Or will her emotions get the best of her?

Rhiannon is cute, quirky, and extremely likable. However, she found it hard to keep up with the choreography which is worrisome, and though her acting is good, she gives Elle Woods a goofiness that I don't think necessarily works. Elle has a mixture of sass, silliness, and poise. Rhiannon needs to tone down the silliness and up the poise.

...Serious?

Kevin Federline is in talks to take over for Andy Karl in Legally Blonde come September.

Will the insanity never end?

"Give My Regards to Broadway"...But Not to Sarah Brightman's Pirate Queen

Hope everyone had a lovely holiday...

Lea Michele and Jon Groff's "Give My Regards to Broadway" was good (though I wish it had been longer), yet so bittersweet. The parade was on this beautiful New York day, but there was a sense of sadness to it, I think. The parade always feels synonymous with Broadway, and knowing that so many shows were dark because of the strike was sad.

Legally Blonde was the only show of the four featured that was affected by the strike. Unable to perform with their regular costumes and props, they had some replacements (including some legwarmers on Laura Bell...tsk tsk). Though their performance was not as flashy as it traditionally is and not as glitzy as the other ones, they were genuinely happy to be performing together...and that was nice to see. This isn't my favorite number from the show at all, but I can understand why it was chosen--it's a scene that will be familiar to fans of the movie, and the dancing and overall giddyness will woo young girls.




Young Frankenstein...Mel Brooks' moneymaking machine. Not sure how I feel about this one...a couple things irk me...Roger Bart, the usually brilliant Stroman's banal choreography, Sutton Foster's in and out accent...but I do love Christopher Fitzgerald and Shuler Hensley, and this number, the last one in Act One, is good.



Xanadu...God Bless Kerry Butler. She's been cheated out of two rightful Tony nominations for Hairspray and Little Shop of Horrors, so let's hope this show will get her the nod she deserves. I think Xanadu suffered from the lack of exposition...the other shows had numbers that were easily identifiable with their plots, but Xanadu simply jumped right in with a medley. I'll admit, 'Du is just too campy for me, but I'll acknowledge that it might be perfect for other people.



Oh, Mary Poppins...I can't deny it. I really do like Ashley Brown and Gavin Lee. Check out "Step in Time" if you get a chance


Lea Michele and Jon Groff:


Not a theatre star, but Hairspray is on Broadway and Nikki Blonsky is just so darn cute:

"It's Turkey Lurkey Time"

More info on Macy's Parade

Lea Michele and Jon Groff will be on the M&M Candy Float. The colorful M&M’s are at it again, this time taking Broadway by storm. Red and Yellow, along with Blue, Green and Orange have transformed into Broadway stars taking the stage in the best productions on the Great White Way. Taking a ride on a Broadway themed float, the colorful chocolate bunch take on roles in some of Broadway’s best-hit musicals. Red transforms into King Arthur in Spamalot, Yellow and Orange tap dance their way onto the front of the line in A Chorus Line, Green defies gravity as Elphaba in Wicked, and Blue hides behind the Phantom’s mask in The Phantom of the Opera. Joining the tasty stars will be Lea Michele and Jonathan Groff, stars of the Tony Award(R) winning Spring Awakening, performing "Give My Regards to Broadway."


Legally Blonde will be performing "What You Want" and Mary Poppins will be performing "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious." The original Christine Daae Sarah Brightman will be performing as well as Nikki Blonsky from Hairspray and Anika Noni Rose (of Dreamgirls and Caroline, or Change), and I just read that Xanadu will be doing a medley of songs.

Exciting stuff in store, I'd say.


And in other news, Equus is crossing the pond and coming to Broadway sometime next year, complete with Daniel Radcliffe. Poor guy; Equus is a great play and I've heard he does a great job in it, but something worries me that most people are going to go just to see "Naked Harry Potter" and miss the point of the play and the strength of his performance.

"Omigod You Guys"...Legally Blonde is Really Good

Date of Performance: October 13 matinee

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), Christian Borle (Emmett Forrest), Orfeh (Paulette), Michael Rupert (Professor Callahan), Richard H. Blake (Warner Huntington III), Kate Shindle (Vivienne Kensington), Nikki Snelson (Shandi/Brooke Wyndham)


I'll be the first to admit that when I first heard Legally Blonde, the Reese Witherspoon girl power sleeper hit of 2001, was making a transfer to the Broadway stage, I balked. The idea seemed ridiculous and I hoped the idea would go the way of Donald Trump's musical version of The Apprentice--a-way, that is. However, like Vivienne sings in the song "Legally Blonde: Remix," when I'm wrong I say I'm wrong, and I was wrong about this.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the film's plot, let me bring you up to speed. Elle Woods, a beautiful Delta Nu sister from Malibu, is expecting her modelesque boyfriend Warner Huntington III to propose to her one night during an intimate dinner for two. Instead, he dumps her, explaining that his family's political aspirations for him simply cannot include her; he needs a wife that's "less of a Marilyn, more of Jackie." Elle, heartbroken and determined to win back Warner, follows him to Harvard Law School, only to find he has already replaced her with Vivienne, a serious, scowling brunette. Elle repeatedly tries to win back his affections, along the way befriending awkward Paulette at the local beauty shop and Emmett, her law professor's apprentice. Elle is miraculously chosen by her professor to serve on the defense team for Brooke Wyndham, a fitness guru suspected of killing her much older husband. Elle earns Brooke's trust (they're both Delta Nu sisters) but once she accomplishes this, her professor shows his true reasons for adding her to the team--he's a sleazeball and sees her just as eye candy. Elle's first reaction is to leave the team, but she is convinced by her friends to stay, and eventually defends Brooke successfully, proving that there's more to her than her looks. Now that I think about it, it really shouldn't have been a surprise that this musical is so vibrant and fun. The movie is fluffy and and silly, with a colorful cast of characters, and a heart of gold--ingredients that often blend to make a successful musical. Legally Blonde: The Musical takes a lot of the things we love about the film, but adds its own sparkle; it's like the movie, "only funner."


The score is repetitive and not amazing, but with a good beat and spunky lyrics, whether you like it or not, it will get stuck in your head. Heather Hach's book has both good and bad elements. It succeeds in further exploring several characters including Paulette (Orfeh in the stage version, Jennifer Coolidge in the film), Brooke (Nikki Snelson here, Ali Larter in the film), and Emmett Forrest (Christian Borle of Spamalot fame, blah Luke Wilson in the film.) The book is especially strong regarding Emmett, who is given the backstory of having come from the slums and working his way up. However, it greatly fails with its treatment of Vivienne (Kate Shindle in the stage version, Selma Blair in the film). In the movie, Vivienne and Elle initially do not like one another, but there is a gradual development of friendship and mutual respect. Here, in the musical, Vivienne's turnaround seems too abrupt. There are no events to explain her change of heart, her dumping of Warner, or her defense of Elle. The Vivienne-Elle relationship is one of the most interesting ones in the film, but is sadly too disregarded in the stage version. Some of Hach's other edits and choices are questionable--several of the key jokes from the film have been rewritten, other supporting characters cut (what happened to the nerdy, awkward genius Elle befriended or the female professor who helped mentor her?) and there are less opportunities for Elle to display her intelligence, making it more difficult for Laura Bell Bundy to create a strong character arc.

The costumes are brightly colored and vivid, the sets are well used, and the scene changes and transitions are well designed. Mitchell also includes Elle's sorority sisters in more scenes, cleverly making them the "Greek Chorus" that expresses Elle's thoughts. However, on the downside, for the performance I attended, swing Cara Cooper, replacing Tracy Jai Edwards for the day, seemed to be suffering from bad-wig-itis. Simply horrid. And--it must be said--since this is Jerry Mitchell's directorial debut, the choreography is outstanding.


This is a starmaking role for Laura Bell Bundy, make no doubt about it. Previously seen as an understudy for Galinda in Wicked and probably best known for creating the role of evil Amber Von Tussle in Hairspray, Bundy steps up and makes her presence known, announcing to Broadway that she is a force to be reckoned with. Her Elle definitely pays homage to Reese Witherspoon's but at the same time, remains entirely her own. Blessed with a gorgeous voice, killer comedic timing, and a great physical presence, her Elle is even more endearing than Witherspoon's--a romantic at heart, she's a vulnerable, and sometimes silly girl, and is a character of great warmth, compassion, and ultimately, intelligence. Bundy executes director Jerry Mitchell's choreography flawlessly, sings her heart out, and makes the most of what she's given. She's completely devoted to the material, and rises above the musical's less impressive parts (she helps compensate for Heather Hach's book and does her best to overcome the way Elle is written as a "dumb blonde." She is a huge reason why the show works; she makes us truly care about Elle.


Christian Borle complements Laura Bell well. He definitely does not fit the mold for a typical romantic leading man, but his slightly dorky appearance (and by his own admittance, lack of chin) actually work in his favor. This casting choice was clearly carefully calculated. Having Borle appear as the new leading man in Elle's life helps bring her journey full circle. At the beginning of the show, Elle is in love with a handsome, dreamy playboy who does not respect her. When Elle falls in love with Emmett, it is another expression of her newfound self worth. Emmett may lack the matinee idol looks of Warner, but he respects her and offers her love, support, and friendship--things that are more important and more valuable than wealth and appearance. Emmett in the movie is not given a lot to do; very little is known about him; he just pops in and out to mentor Elle. Emmett here is a more constant presence and he is very early on established as an outsider, explaining more why he forms this unlikely connection and later, attachment to Elle. Bundy and Borle have good chemistry, not so much sexually, but in a more PG/PG-13 way, which given the primary demographic of this show, is probably a good thing. Their scenes together are fun to watch and utterly believable.

Jennifer Coolidge's Paulette is one of the funniest sidekick roles in recent years. It literally put Coolidge on the map, drawing her into the spotlight. Orfeh wisely avoids copying Coolidge, understanding that it's a performance so unique it could never be replicated. Orfeh's Paulette is a mixture of funky, awkward, and brassy and Orfeh belts out her numbers in a rich alto tone. Orfeh makes an enormous impression as Paulette; the minute she appears on stage, she is instantly likeable and warm and she finds humor in dialogue that could come off as flat if given to a less dynamic performer. The casting of Orfeh's actual husband Andy Karl as the UPS Guy adds a fun dimension for the audience...it's easy to see their attraction to one another.


Richard Blake as Warner, Kate Shindle as Vivienne, Nikki Snelson as Brooke and Michael Rupert as Callahan all do fine jobs in their supporting roles, making the most of the their moments, but never drawing too much attention from Bundy's Elle. Extra kudos to Snelson for pulling off such a high note after jump roping for four minutes straight. Haven Burton as Margot and Asmeret Ghebremichael as Pilar are adequate; Burton (who is still struggling with her interactions with Bruiser, played by Chico the dog) seems a little annoyed and mocking of the material while Ghebremichael lacks focus--she has great energy, she just doesn't always channel it well. For a better interpretation of Margot, check out MTV's taping with Annaleigh Ashford, who just left the show to float in Galinda's bubble in Wicked.

High Points:
"Omigod, You Guys"--the opening number WILL ABSOLUTELY get stuck in your head. The music is addictive, the energy infectious.
"Serious"--Echoing a cheesy pop ballad from the early nineties, it is a good number to show off Blake's smooth voice and Bundy's gift of physical comedy.
"Positive"-High energy, great choreography; you'll laugh when they "shake their junk."
"So Much Better"-Act I closer, best number in the show. If you've ever had your heart broken, you understand where she's coming from. It's a great anthem for reclaiming and celebrating your life.
"Legally Blonde"--I wasn't originally a fan of this song (based on the soundtrack), but onstage, the sheer vulnerability and sadness of Laura Bell Bundy and the desperation and longing in Christian Borle was enough to make me a convert.
"Legally Blonde: Remix"--Mitchell's choreography here is dynamite. Though the music is not great, the humor and energy turn this number into an absolute showstopper.
"Bend and Snap"-such a huge part of the movie, it doesn't disappoint here either. Plus, Orfeh's vocals here are amazing.

Low Points:.
"Take It Like a Man"-Gives Bundy and Borle some beautiful moments to share with each other, but its message seems a little weird. In the scene, Elle takes Emmett shopping to get a nice, expensive suit to impress Callahan, but isn't the whole show about being who you are, no exceptions? There's a mixed message sent--it's okay to be pretty and smart, but not just smart?
Too many gay and lesbian jokes. A few is fine, but there were way too many.
"Find My Way"--Good song, don't get me wrong, but as a finale, it was unsatisfying. I was not a fan of the whole "Where Are They Now?" concept.

Whatever you want to say about Legally Blonde, it, like Hairspray, Mary Poppins, and the current revival of Grease, is bringing a whole new group of people, a different kind of audience to Broadway. It is fluffy, but I encourage you not to discount it. It's not a groundbreaking piece, but it is fun, energetic, and at times, remarkably poignant.



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