Legally Blonde The Musical
at Washington Lee High School

Reviewed on April 27, 2019

Nikki Keating
Woodrow Wilson High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

In a world where there are Jackies and Marilyns Washington-Lee Theatre teaches us to be an Elle. Washington-Lee production of Legally blonde brings the classic film and novel to life and the story of Elle Woods and how she turns from a sorority blonde to hardcore and powerful Harvard law school student. The show delivered on every note with strong vocals, powerful character portrayals, and creative choreography.

Strutting on to the stage in her signature pink Elle Woods, played by Julia Elman, thrilled the audience. Julia brought the confidence and defiant air to Elle Woods but also balanced it with a warm-natured kindness she showed throughout the show. She was bubbly and comedic in her iconic song "So Much Better" but also showed the dedication and determination of Elle Woods in "Legally Blonde (Remix)." Combined with powerful vocals as well as a strong stage presence she drew the whole entire show together and carried us through the story of Elle Woods.

Julia was coupled with her partner Drew Kellenberger who played the character, Emmett Forrest. Drew embodied the quirky yet resourceful character and contrasted Elle Woods preppy self. His vocals were highlighted in the song "Chip On My Shoulder" as he sustains the climax note and flawlessly led the entire song. Drew also blends beautifully with Julia in the duet "Legally Blonde" as both actors sent knives through the audience heart as they show genuine emotion for what both characters are going through.

There were many other talented performers on stage. Sam Gerardi sent a shiver through our spines as he played the character, Professor Callahan. His song "Blood In The Water" popped on stage and created Harvard's tense and stressful environment that the characters live in. Anna Nowalk was a powerhouse when playing Vivienne Kensington with her stunning note in "Legally Blonde (Remix)." She completed her character arc and gave a refreshing take on the prideful law student. The audience was left cackling in the seat with Emilia Couture portrayal of Paulette Bonafonte. Though Emilia battled with technical issues her voice came out clear and strong as she belted throughout the show having the spectacular song "Ireland" or the riveting Irish jig performed by her and Sylvain Chassagneux who took on the role of Kyle.

The tech threw the audience into the world of Legally Blonde. With colorful lights and a spectacular sight that change with every dance and scene. The lighting created the emotion of the show as it turned dark red when the air was thick with the tension between Professor Callahan or it turns bright pink when the Greek Chorus made their magic appearance. The stage crew was quick and efficient as they highlighted each scene with unique sets, for example, the pink and fluffy room of Elle Woods or the sophisticated Courtroom in the Wyndham trial. The pit was also impressive as it kept up with the actors with each song and tied the music to the story giving it the energy to come alive on stage.

Legally Blonde teaches girls that they can have it and it doesn't matter what you look like if you put in hard work and dedication. The energetic cast was spectacular and the Washington-Lee cast will leave you feeling so much better than before.

Emma Conkle
Flint Hill School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

The cast and crew of Washington-Lee High School certainly bent and snapped their way into the hearts of the audience in a lighthearted and energetic performance of Legally Blonde.

This iconic early 2000's movie was made into a musical in 2007. It follows sorority president Elle Woods as she enrolls in Harvard Law School to win back her ex-boyfriend who thinks she is not serious enough. She finds out that she is actually a great lawyer and defends the innocent Brooke Wyndham using her skills. Although people doubt her throughout the show, she stays perfectly pink and herself with the help of her friends Paulette and Emmett.

Elle Woods, played by Julia Elman, had consistent vocals and great acting. Her transition from ditzy to serious was played very well and was emphasized by her movement, singing, and dialogue. She did a wonderful job and had a strong energy that led the show. She also changed her mannerisms as the scenes changed and her character developed. Julia also had numerous quick changes that were done seamlessly. She also had very good chemistry with Drew Kellenberger, who played Emmett Forrest.

Kellenberger did a great job playing the wholesome eventual love interest Emmett Forrest. His vocals were incredibly strong, and his falsetto was flawless especially in numbers as "Chip on My Shoulder." He also countered the not-so-nice boyfriend Warner Huntington III (Jack Hughes) in movement and voice. He showed the character and relationship development with Elle in a very believable way.

The energy of the Delta Nu sorority girls made them the best ensemble in the show. They truly captured the essence of college sorority girls and were committed to their roles no matter the situation. Standout characters from the ensemble were Pilar (Sophia Bailey), Margot (Camille Beck), and Serena (Marissa McDonell). Their vocals and dancing were excellent, which made them truly fun to watch as they guided Elle through her trials and tribulations.

Other outstanding performances included Paulette Bonafonte (Emilia Couture) and Brooke Wyndham (Ellie Berenson). Couture perfectly executed her comedic role. She had the audience laughing as she flawlessly performed her jokes and one-liners. Her her vocal skills were also showcased, as she was consistently strong in that aspect. Berenson was excellent in her movement and energy, and she did an amazing job singing while jump-roping, which is not an easy task. She also changed her movement and vocal choices when interacting with the other actors, which made her character that much clearer.

Notable aspects of tech were lighting, stage crew, and costumes. The lighting was pretty and colorful, and emphasized each character and aspect of Elle's story. The stage crew was efficient, quiet, fast, and had a cohesive look that set them apart from the actors. Finally, the costumes were incredibly detailed and helped the audience see what Elle was thinking and feeling through her outfit choices. Because part of Elle's story is that she is very into fashion, the costumes had to be impeccable, and the costume team nailed it.

Washington-Lee's Legally Blonde was an entertaining and vigorous show that emphasized how important it is to stay true to yourself. It was a pleasure to listen, watch, and have a great time.

Sammy Solomon
Woodrow Wilson High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

OMG, OMG you guys! Washington Lee High School put on a bright and peppy performance of "Legally Blonde" this weekend, radiating messages of girl power and believing in yourself.

The musical is based on the book by Amanda Brown and the movie in 2001, both with the same title. The show revolves around Elle Woods, the president of the Delta Nu sorority at UCLA. She follows her ex-boyfriend Warner Huntington III to Harvard Law School after being dumped for not being serious enough for him. Once she gets there, her world is flipped on its head when she learns of Warner's new girlfriend, Vivienne Kensington. To make matters worse, Elle still isn't taken seriously by anyone in her class and has to work twice as hard to succeed and get the internship she wants. With its themes of self-discovery, female empowerment, defying stereotypes and never judging a book by its cover, Legally Blonde is a welcome reminder that "being true to yourself never goes out of style."

Julia Elman was radiant in the role of Elle Woods. Her peppiness and positive attitude never faltered, and her character arc throughout the show was a joy to watch. Elman's vocals were strong, especially on songs like "So Much Better," and later, "Legally Blonde." Elman's on stage relationships were authentic and believable, specifically with Drew Kellenberger who played Emmett Forrest. Kellenberger gave a polished depiction of his character. Vocally he held his own, bringing down the house at the end of the song "Chip on My Shoulder." His connection to Elman, especially in their heartbreaking duet "Legally Blonde," was evident and truly heartwarming, bringing the audience into their lives and making their struggles mean something personal to everyone in the room.

Another standout performance was from Anna Nowalk, who played Vivienne Kensington. While she started out as a mean girl, Nowalk transformed into a likable character and a supportive friend to Elle. She reminded the audience that "girls have to stick together," and her clear vocals cut through the room like a knife, drawing all eyes to her. Sam Gerardi played Professor Callahan with suave charm and just the right amount of creepy looks at Elle and her classmates to develop his character. His vocals, especially on his signature number "Blood in the Water," were smooth and consistent. Another impressive performance was given by Emilia Couture who played Paulette, Elle's wacky stylist. Couture's voice was powerful, and her comic timing was great. Her Irish dancing with Kyle, played by Sylvain Chassagneux, was also noteworthy.

The Delta Nu ensemble had girl power in droves. Each member had a distinct character that remained consistent throughout the show, and every time they were all on stage together, their energy and positivity radiated off of them.

No show is complete without strong tech, and Washington Lee's was commendable. Many stages have a cyclorama in the back, but Lee made great use of theirs, projecting different colors onto it to reflect the mood of the show at that point, from pink at UCLA, to red with Callahan's "Blood in the Water," to rainbow during "Gay or European." The sound was a recurring issue throughout the show but the actors never let their mic issues get in the way of the show's progression, with excellent projection by Emilia Couture in particular. The set was beautiful, as were the costumes, creating a fully three-dimensional world in which the characters lived.

It's clear that Washington Lee's performance made every audience member feel "So Much Better" than before seeing their show!

Donovan Fisher
Mount Vernon High School
Submitted for publication to Insidenova - Sun Gazette

Sometimes, you have to take a stand for yourself, showing the world that they can't bring you down, and this is wonderfully represented through Washington-Lee High School's production of Legally Blonde. Based on the 2001 novel and movie of the same name, this show tells the story of Elle Woods, a fashion marketing-turned-law student as she transfers to begin her work at Harvard. Elle is viewed as immature by her peers and teachers alike, so she must prove herself to be more than a ditzy blonde through hard work, dedication, and a keen eye for the latest fashion trends.

Elle Woods, played by Julia Elman, is a fun and exciting character to watch, and Elman delivers these aspects of the character wonderfully. Elman effectively leads the stage with force and vigor, pushing through numbers such as the Act 1 closer "So Much Better" with passion behind her voice. She portrays the balance between the fun-loving fashionista and calculated and keen-eyed lawyer quite effectively, blending both sides of the character seamlessly with each other. Alongside Elle through each step of the way is law TA Emmett Forrest, played by Drew Kellenberger. His boyish charm and innocence is fun to see as played off of by our leading lady, and the chemistry between Elman and Kellenberger allow for the two characters to feel very natural as they grow together over the course of the show. This is in comparison to the performance of Sam Gerardi as the stubborn and antagonistic Professor Callahan, with Gerardi portraying the character in a very intimidating and formittable way. The ensemble work throughout the show is often strong as well, with many of its members being consistently high energy. This work is all most notably seen in the number "Gay or European?" where the cast exemplifies the sporadic and exciting energy that helps make this show fun.

The technical elements also helped assist and enhance the performance throughout, building upon the script and scenes in unexpected and nontraditional ways. The set was built to be multi-purposeful, and work in a variety of scenes with the help of a few quick changes of scenery. These transitions were carried out quickly and efficiently by the crew team, which was able to quickly swap the stage between large set pieces, such as a bedroom or a beauty salon, in a matter of seconds. These transitions often happened visibly and directly behind the scene happening, but still helped the show keep a fluid motion and energy to it without there being a dull moment. The lighting design had interesting ideas behind it as well, using LED lighting on their cyclorama to help emphasize certain beats and emotions of the story throughout certain scenes. This is notably seen during the song "Omigod You Guys", where lights flickered between bright and dull values to switch the emphasis between the Delta Nu ensemble and Elle. The orchestra also wonderfully kept the energy up for the show, rocking out with precision and skill that often isn't seen from a high school production.

Overall, Washington-Lee High School put on a production of Legally Blonde that held nothing back. Wonderful performances throughout the cast made sure the show never had a dull moment, and the tech helped amplify these performances to their highest levels. This is a show about empowerment and standing up for yourself, and Washington-Lee's cast and crew took their stand with such an entertaining and dynamic version of this story that leaves you with a smile on your face and a chip on your shoulder.

Caroline Keir
Bishop Ireton High School
Submitted for publication to Connection

Though hidden under a facade of pink and sorority girl lingo, Washington-Lee's production of Legally Blonde delivered a heartwarming lesson about judgement and the invaluable nature of hard work. Hard work is something that cast and crew undoubtedly put into this show, everything from the vocal performances to the efficient set changes being worthy of praise. Despite the daunting physical demands of this musical, the cast maintained high energy levels throughout, making the most of every second they had on stage.

Based on the 2001 film of the same name, Legally Blonde first opened at San Francisco's Golden Gate Theatre in February of 2007 before moving to Broadway's Palace Theatre in April of the same year. The show reached both significant critical and commercial success, being nominated for seven Tony awards, broadcast on MTV, and eventually resulting in a reality show to replace the original Elle Woods, Laura Bell Bundy.

Though the entire ensemble did a great job of remaining reactive and exciting, the Delta Nus deserve special recognition for the enthusiasm and vigor they brought to their performances. Without their infectious sorority sister spirit, the show would have lost much of its unique flair. Numbers carried by this group such as "Omigod You Guys", "What You Want", and "Positive" were all highlights of the production. Unsurprisingly, Julia Elman who played protagonist Elle Woods delivered an amazing depiction of the iconic Malibu Barbie turned lawyer. Despite having almost no backstage time to relax and recover, Elman's vocals and lively characterization never faltered. Her rendition of "So Much Better" was particularly impressive, leaving the audience invigorated and eager for the second act to begin.

Both Emilia Couture as Paulette Bonafonte and Anna Nowalk as Vivienne Kensington particularly deserve praise for their powerhouse vocals and first-rate acting chops. Couture's performance of "Ireland" and Vivienne's killer belt during "Legally Blonde Remix" both earned audible gasps from the crowd, their execution by far exceeding what is normally seen in a high school production. In the polar opposite roles of Emmett Forrest and Professor Callahan, Drew Kellenberger and Sam Gerardi also performed well vocally and made great character choices, the former creating a stand up guy that the audience can't help but root for and the latter producing a creepy and ruthless "shark".

The popularity of Legally Blonde makes the production one where high expectations are hard to meet. Thanks to the wonderful efforts of the cast as well as the exceptional work done with lighting, set, and by the pit orchestra, Washington-Lee put on an amazing show that was definitely deserving of an "Omigod".