Legally Blonde
at Woodrow Wilson Senior High School

Reviewed on November 17, 2017

Lauren Bogle
Woodgrove High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

One thing is for certain: everyone's night would be So Much Better' if they watched Woodrow Wilson's 'Legally Blonde!' Based off the 2001 movie starring Reese Witherspoon, the musical is a contemporary piece exemplifying what it means to be a modern woman, in both careers and relationships. The piece covers the transition of a hopelessly in love sorority girl (Joey Schulman) into a self-empowered, sharp-witted lawyer on the hunt for justice with integrity. Along the way, she teaches about female solidarity and sexuality while retaining her "seriousness." Woodrow Wilson embraced the heavy subject matter, such as sexism, sexual assault, and stereotyping, while balancing the comedy of the situations and characters.

From the opening notes to the curtain call, the show was bursting with enthusiasm and energy. The characterization of every actor was individual and distinct, while also blending with the group. Lines and pacing flowed naturally, accentuated by beautiful vocals, and the cast worked together as a cohesive group without showing a moment of dullness or disconnect. The tech was executed with cleanliness and professionalism that lent itself to an enthusiastic crew and knowledgeable overseeing by both director (Harriet Bronstein) and stage manager (Athena Swaider).

Schulman gave a stunning performance, easily at home among those on Broadway. Her Elle was relatable and genuine: teaching without condescension, learning without grudge, and encouraging to those around her. While Elle can be the "typical sorority girl," Schulman gave her a depth and life that made everyone in the room fall in love with her. The titular song 'Legally Blonde' left many audience members in tears at her moment of weakness, and many more in tears at her returning strength. Her vocals, while being the hardest in the show, were stunning throughout. Consistently at a professional level, Schulman truly lifted the show up with her diligence and obvious talent.

Elle was supported by a fantastic female cast, with Sophie Thurschwell, in the role of Vivienne Kensington, as the unlikely leader. Thurschwell gave a detailed and complex performance, showing the multifaceted sides of her 'Jackie' character. Her story arc is difficult to act and even harder to act well, but Thurschwell brought life to the character, and showed the complexity of the issues she was dealing with. Her switching "sides," while abrupt in the script, transitioned well by the actress and made it understandable to the audience by her taking advantage of small moments and facial expressions. Also notable was Ernesto Fritts as Professor Callahan. His voice was easily superior to an average high schooler. He handled the difficult runs with ease and commanded attention during his songs and scenes. His character arc was executed with prevalent attention to detail, from his slightly leering looks in 'Blood in the Water' all the way to his confident strides away from Elle.

The tech categories were similarly detailed and consistent. Their makeup, while not overly flashy, was clean and differentiated the groups well. The costumes were notable, with Elle's frequent changes and the high levels of coordination demanded from the large ensembles. While there were some problems with diction, the actors' emoting and characterization made up for any gaps. The orchestra had wonderful synchronization with the performers, an important accomplishment for this musical. The crew did a great job of moving quickly and transitioning the scene with as little influence as possible.

artwork Overall, Woodrow Wilson created a truly beautiful and moving piece of art, emphasizing the importance of self-empowerment and female solidarity. A moving experience for all audience members, the cast and crew of 'Legally Blonde' should be truly proud of their very apparent demanding work.

Lukas D'Errico
Woodgrove High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

In a world that is so fixated on education and intelligence, there isn't always room for things pink and sparkly, but of course there will always be exceptions. Based on the novel by Amanda Brown, as well as the 2001 movie, Legally Blonde tells the story of Elle Woods, a member of the Delta Nu sorority, who enrolls at Harvard Law to woo back her ex-boyfriend, Warner Huntington III. During her time at Harvard she is constantly typed as a "dumb blonde" leading her classmates to underestimate her talent in law. Through her studies, Elle learns how she can use law to help others, and, with the help of her new friends, shows everyone what she's truly made of.

Woodrow Wilson's production of Legally Blonde pulled out all the stops when it came to all things colorful and flashy. With an amazingly energized chorus, and a talented set of leads, the show was something to remember. It was a perfect blend of pure hilarity, coupled with enough depth and sincerity to make a connection with the audience.

Emmett Forrest, played by William Wright, did a good job with his character, and all aspects of him only got better in the second act. Joey Schulman, who brilliantly played Elle, was one of the most flawless, entertaining, and jaw-dropping high school actors I've ever had the honor to witness. With Broadway level vocal talent, and a nearly flawless understanding of her character and her arc, Joey Schulman displayed an amazing performance that took the show from good to amazing.

Professor Callahan, played by Ernesto Fritts, made for the perfect foil of Elle: intimidating, yet maintaining his teacher-like composure. With the character of Callahan, it often can be extremely easy to pull the character too far, or perhaps not far enough, but Fritts managed to find the perfect sweet spot, producing a character with almost always perfect expressions and intentions, alongside smooth vocals. Vivienne Kensington, played by Sophie Thurschwell, exhibited one of the best understandings of character out of almost all the cast. Vivienne can easily get pushed to the side if not played correctly, but Thurschwell had a flawless grasp on Vivienne's arc, and with vocals comparable to that of Joey Schulman, she created a character that was far from the sidelines. Alongside the named characters was an ensemble not to be forgotten. There was a consistence of high energy, and never did anyone seem out of place.

With astonishing, yet sometimes distracting light, and choreography that was well above a high school level, Woodrow Wilson took their show to another level. Sound was overall good, making for some lines to be lost. Nonetheless, tech still did an overall good job that made for an excellent production.

Aside from some minor technical issues, Woodrow Wilson put on an extremely professional-looking high school show, with an amazingly talented group of lead and supporting actors, and an unforgettable ensemble of high energy. Legally Blonde can often be quite an undertaking at the high school level, and is easily taken down the wrong path, but just like Elle Woods, Woodrow Wilson took up the challenge and proved everyone wrong. It can be done. And they did it well.

Helen Ganley
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

Is it better to be a Marilyn or a Jackie? Choosing between a glamorous sorority life and the hallowed halls of Harvard Law School can be difficult, but Woodrow Wilson High School's production of Legally Blonde proves that a combination of the two is seriously so much better than choosing either one.

Legally Blonde has been painting the town pink since 2001, when Amanda Brown first published the novel of the same name. Legally Blonde was then adapted into a popular movie, and in 2007 made it's Broadway debut as Legally Blonde: The Musical, receiving seven Tony nominations and ten Drama Desk nominations. The show follows Elle Woods, stunning Delta Nu sorority president. When her boyfriend dumps her for not being serious enough, Elle resolves to challenge stereotypes and follows him to Harvard Law School in order to win him back, but stays true to herself throughout the process.

Clad in Elle Woods's signature pink, Joey Schulman was a vision of confidence and charisma. Schulman's bubbly personality paired effervescently with her giggling sorority sisters, while her more resolute and resolved disposition fit right into the bustling scenes at Harvard. Schulman showcased both her emotional and vocal ranges in "Legally Blonde," coupling with William Wright's gravelly baritone Emmett Forrest. Wright's awkward persona contrasted with Schulman's peppy charisma, grounding the two with authentic emotion during "Chip on My Shoulder" and "Take It Like A Man."

Sauntering across the stage, Ernesto Fritts's Professor Callahan was a refreshingly cool breeze in an otherwise warm and cheerful show. Radiating confidence and self-importance, Fritts's rendition of "Blood in the Water" was chilling. Sophie Thurschwell as Vivienne Kensington was a vision of ambition and political dreams. Beginning as a bloodthirsty scholar, Thurschwell utilized her precise emotional range to ultimately switch from Elle's adversary to become Elle's motivation, despite being her biggest competition. Characterized by her distinct and textured vocals, Sarah Desta (Paulette Buonufonte) incited raucous laughter during her spirited rendition of "Ireland." Desta's comedy was matched by the smooth-talking and charming Ben Schiffrin (Kyle) during "Legally Blonde-Remix," when they halted all action on stage just to dance an Irish jig. Sammy Solomon's and Sophia Kennedy's dancing was eye catching, from Solomon's sensual interpretation of Carlos during "Gay or European?" or Kennedy's precise steps in "Whipped into Shape." An actual drum line marched across the stage during "What You Want", led by Ashton Roberts, adding a distinct and exciting element to their production.

Despite a massive cast and countless set changes, the tech crews were definitely prepped and ready for action. The publicity team was drafted posters and programs to highlight their show's best features. Pink lights flooded the stage during Elle and Emmett's admissions of love, enhancing her character and attracting attention to those moments. Costume changes were quick and mesmerizing, transforming characters on the fly. The orchestra backed the demanding 20+ musical numbers in the show with complex piano, echoing bass guitar, and an exuberant percussion section.

Legally Blonde gives you endorphins, endorphins give you happiness, and happy people can appreciate a show packed with blondes, pink, and some real fancy legal jargon. Complete with energetic cast and talented tech, Woodrow Wilson's students will leave you saying "Ohmigod!"

Katherine Kelly
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Georgetowner

Omigod you guys! Thrown into a whirlwind of unknowns, Elle Woods must embark on a journey of self discovery and love, fighting with tough teachers, her ex boyfriend, and above all, the stereotypes that come with blonde hair. In a sparkling production of pizzazz and passion, Woodrow Wilson Senior High School's Legally Blonde tells a compelling story of hard work and staying true to yourself.

Legally Blonde was originally a novel by Amanda Brown, then a 2001 film, before being adapted into a musical on Broadway in 2007 with a book by Heather Hatch and music by Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin. The story follows Elle, the girl who has it all: a rich family, a 4.0 in fashion merchandising, a loving sorority, and Warner, her perfect boyfriend...until he dumps her, opting to find a "Jackie" instead of a "Marilyn". In her attempt to win Warner back, Elle applies to Harvard to follow him and prove her "seriousness". As she explores the worlds of law and love, surprise awaits at every turn.

Joey Schulman, playing Elle, was a shimmering beam of talent and poise. Her exceptional ability was showcased as she performed demanding songs, executed intricate costume changes, and sprung through a multitude of dances without flaw. Schulman built a fun and bubbly Elle, while also adeptly executing an important character arc, allowing a more serious and emotional dimension to pervade. Paralleling Schulman was William Wright, playing Emmett Forrest. Wright was expressive and endearing, creating a lovably awkward demeanor that was complementary to Elle's confident character. Their sweet and believable chemistry progressed seamlessly, naturally lending itself to Elle's growth and change, as she found what she truly wanted.

Introducing an air of poised dignity was Sophie Thurschwell, playing Vivienne Kensington, Warner's new girlfriend. Thurschwell's performance was precise and impressive: using explicit facial expressions, she was able to establish subtle changes in mood or in her relationships with other characters. Another notable performance was that of Ernesto Fritts, playing Professor Callahan, who was sleek and suave especially in his chilling song "Blood in the Water."

Amid the intensity of Harvard Law School, hilarious comedy was introduced by Paulette (Sarah Desta), a nail salon owner and Elle's friend, and Kyle (Ben Schiffrin), a postman and Paulette's love interest. Desta created a fairy godmother-like relationship with Elle, encouraging her and singing about her own past loves with applause-worthy vocals. Schiffrin, meanwhile, sauntered onto stage, his voice low and confidence high, ready to sweep Paulette off her feet. Together, the duo evoked peals of laughter. The sorority girls were another memorable group, keeping it positive with their consistent high energy, and transforming the stage into a sorority each time they skipped on.

Exceptional technical details brought the production together. Costumes enhanced the differences between the Harvard students, who seemed to love brown and gray, and Elle, whose signature color was pink. Likewise, set pieces enhanced the contrast between Harvard's bland walls and Elle's bright dorm. An attention to detail was noticeable in all aspects of the production, with real dogs acting as Elle and Paulette's pets, impressive costume changes, and clean cut makeup. Memorable choreography brought the entire cast together, introducing fun and flashy dance moves which were executed with aplomb.

In their catchy and fun production of Legally Blonde, Woodrow Wilson Senior High School filled their stage with creativity, talent, and so much pink! A perfect mix of hilarious and heartwarming, this production served as a wonderful reminder that "being true to yourself never goes out of style".