Legally Blonde The Musical
at Stone Bridge High School

Reviewed on April 26, 2019

Syd Kirk
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

You've got a right to be Legally Blonde! Stone Bridge High School's production of Legally Blonde had plenty of "Bend and Snap" while telling the story of Little Miss Woods comma Elle.

Legally Blonde is based off of the 2001 novel by Amanda Brown and the film of the same name. It was adapted into a musical and made its Broadway debut in 2007, receiving seven Tony nominations and ten Drama Desk nominations. The show follows Elle Woods, a hardcore sorority girl who is dumped by her boyfriend because she isn't "Serious." In order to prove him wrong and win her man back, Elle finds herself in the hallowed halls of Harvard Law School, where she defies expectations without compromising her true identity.

The beloved and iconic Elle was played by Bethany Shears, who never failed to make her own choices, adding a personal twist to the well-known bouncy blonde. Shears had a beautiful voice that impressed with its extensive range. Opposite Shears was James Good as the determined and equally adorable Emmett. The best part of Good's voice wasn't just his spectacular belt, but the intimate moments as well. Good was always engaged, perfectly portraying Emmett as his affection for Elle blossomed into love. The pair made for a powerful vocal duo, exulting emotion during the musical number "Legally Blonde." In addition to their roles, the two acted as student music directors for the production, working in tandem onstage and off.

Elle's friend and quirky hair stylist Paulette was played by Ainsley Steger. Paulette's hilarious obsession with Ireland was captured by Steger's spot on comedic timing and exaggerated Boston accent. Ainsley also embodied the sweet side of Paulette, constantly encouraging Elle to fight for what she wants. Juxtaposing Ainsley as the antagonist to Elle's journey was Sam Fremin, who played Professor Callahan with a cool and calculating demeanor. Fremin seemed completely comfortable and confident, exemplifying the ruthless C-minus Callahan.

"Omigod You Guys," the entire cast of Legally Blonde was full of energy and gusto. Paravi Das as Vivienne was a reflection of the immense vocal talent at Stone Bridge High School. She stayed devoted to her character and demonstrated Vivienne's arc from a cold, prissy mean girl to a supportive woman beautifully. Another standout of the night was Liam McGrail's portrayal of Kyle the UPS guy. McGrail had a great stage presence that always succeeded in getting a laugh out of the audience.

Two technical elements stood above the rest to paint the show pink with preppy tones and bright, fun colors. Costumes impressively dealt with a demanding number of pieces. Elle in particular had many costume changes, which were handled efficiently and effectively as the crew kept up with the show's fast pace. Similarly, the Prop Crew had a lot of scene changes to work with, and their attention to detail never faltered. The products at Paulette's Hair Affair were notable.

As the tipped scale turned to balance, Elle Woods came to terms with her own individual power and resolved to be true to herself. Stone Bridge High School's production of Legally Blonde left audiences "So Much Better" than before.

Grace Tarpgaard
George Mason High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

"What, like it's hard?" seemed to be the motto of Stone Bridge High School's recent production of Legally Blonde. The iconic line references sorority girl and pink enthusiast Elle Woods' seamless acceptance to Harvard Law School, defying all odds against her. Similarly, Stone Bridge High School's theater department pulled off a fantastic adaptation of the Broadway musical with stunning vocals, creative set choices, and outstanding character dynamics.

Legally Blonde was written by Heather Hach, and is based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the 2001 film of the same name. First premiering on Broadway on April 29, 2007 at the Palace Theatre, the show tells the story of Elle Woods, a privileged sorority girl who follows her ex-boyfriend Warner to Harvard Law School in an attempt to win him back. From there, she meets new friends, realizes her affinity for law, and overcomes challenges proving she's capable of anything she sets her mind to.

Bethany Shears, playing leading lady Elle Woods, carried the show with outstanding vocal technique and acting skills. Shears' energy onstage never wavered and her powerful voice added to her already strong character persona. Similarly, James Good, playing Elle's love interest Emmett, held his own vocally and had a captivating chemistry with Shears. Their relationship was enchanting and had audiences rooting for them from the start.

Ainsley Steger, playing Elle's trusty hairdresser Paulette, and Sam Fremin, playing the intimidating law professor Callahan, had challenging characters to live up to. However, their dedication and talent allowed their individual choices to shine through. Steger's over-the-top physicality and voice brought humor and admirability to her rendition of "Ireland," while Fremin's harshness toward his students and powerful voice made "Blood in the Water" an eerie number to watch, accurately portraying his character's intentions.

No show would be complete without a strong ensemble, and the cast of Legally Blonde certainly came through. With difficult dance numbers such as "Omigod You Guys" and "Bend and Snap," the ensemble truly brought their all with amazing energy, spunky facial expressions, and unique character choices. Elle's sorority friends Margot (Ruby Gau), Serena (Darby Ogorek), and Pilar (Brittany Battista) were standouts and perfectly encapsulated the energetic spirit of the show.

Technical elements helped reinforce the amazing talent onstage with dynamic light looks, bold costume choices, and an effective set design that was both original and appropriate for the storyline. Lighting Designer Riley White used colors and hues to bring a certain aesthetic to each scene. Costumes by Bethany Shears and Ainsley Steger helped reinforce Elle's character development through countless costume changes that reflected her growth. Lastly, set design by Paravi Das utilized a limited amount of set pieces to transform each scene location in both a believable and creative manner.

The cast and crew of Stone Bridge High School's Legally Blonde did not disappoint in bringing the beloved story of Elle Woods and her journey to believing in herself to life. Evident dedication and teamwork brought a sense of camaraderie both on and offstage that could be felt by the audience as well. The energy in the room was undeniable and cast, crew, and audience members alike left the show with a new appreciation for the fun and vitality of life with the notion that we can truly do anything we set our minds to.

Jordan Hundley
Chantilly High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

What would you do if your soon-to-be fiance (or so you thought) breaks up with you for not being "Serious" enough? Well, if you're Little Miss Woods comma Elle, you chase after him to prove your intellectualism, even if that means undertaking Harvard Law School in the process, as depicted in Stone Bridge High School's sensational performance of Legally Blonde.

Legally Blonde, based on the 2001 movie of the same name, first premiered on Broadway in 2007 and was nominated for seven Tonys. It follows the story of sorority girl Elle Woods as she ventures to Harvard in an attempt to prove her sophistication and win back her ex-boyfriend's love. Along her transformative journey, she defies everyone's expectations by staying true to herself, discovering the true power behind being "Legally Blonde."

Stone Bridge High School's cast and crew did an exceptional job bringing the outrageous reality of Legally Blonde to life through a blend of spirited and dynamic acting choices, breathtaking vocal ability, and dazzling technical aspects. Leading the cast were Bethany Shears (Elle Woods) and James Good (Emmett), who possessed tremendous vocal talent and together taught all of the show's music in addition to performing. Shears portrayed the ditzy yet determined law student immaculately, while Good balanced out her character with his solemn and kind hearted portrayal of the young attorney. Some of the show's premier moments derived from their engaging relationship and budding love in numbers such as "Take It Like A Man" and "Legally Blonde."

Another standout performer was Ainsley Steger (Paulette), whose dedication to her goofy, Irish-loving character had the audience doubled over with laughter. This was especially true during "Bend and Snap," which included the vivacious Delta Nu Greek Chorus, played by Ruby Gau, Darby Ogorek, and Brittany Battista, making it the strongest and most entertaining number in the show. Furthermore, Sam Fremin's unique and effervescent portrayal of Callahan, coupled with beautiful vocals in his signature song "Blood in the Water, fashioned him to be an indelible antagonist.

In addition to skillful performers, the technical aspects were quite impressive as well. The simple yet dynamic set designed by Paravi Das, Leah Meneau, and Cameron Cocozza, perfectly demonstrated the stark contrast between Delta Nu and Harvard. The stage crew, lead by Mason Mahmud, Justin Lisciandro, Sam Shomo, and Emma Paskey, performed the scene transitions between the two effortlessly and rapidly, demonstrating great preparation. The superb lighting by Riley White, Matt Sam, Joe Eversmeyer, and Judia King, helped define key moments of the show, with the most memorable being the beautiful mirror scene in the department store. Finally, the phenomenal pit orchestra never missed a beat and was quick to correct any fault a performer may have made, providing wonderful underscoring to a great show.

Stone Bridge High School's exuberant performance of Legally Blonde exhibited stellar acting, extraordinary singing, and admirable technical feats that left audiences with the realization that as long as you stay true to yourself, anything can be achieved.

Jack Child
Falls Church High School
Submitted for publication to Loudoun Now

Do you enjoy comedies, romances, or stories of rising above the expectations of others and staying true to yourself? If so, Stone Bridge High School's production of Legally Blonde is "What You Want!" Legally Blonde tells the story of Elle Woods, a sorority girl from UCLA who goes to Harvard Law School to win her ex-boyfriend Warner back.

Legally Blonde is based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the famous 2001 movie. It was adapted for the stage by Heather Hach, Laurence O'Keefe, and Nell Benjamin and opened on Broadway in 2007. Stone Bridge High School's Running Dog Productions put on a wonderful performance of Legally Blonde with dedicated acting, stellar vocals, and consistently high energy levels.

Playing the iconic Elle Woods was Bethany Shears, whose wide smile and vocal prowess made her a standout performer. Shears managed to embody the many stages of Elle's journey while preserving the same character at heart. Also remarkable was Shears' vocal ability, which truly shone in songs such as "Omigod You Guys" and "Legally Blonde." Acting alongside Elle was James Good as the caring and gentle Emmett, Elle's first friend on campus, tutor, and romantic interest. Good was dedicated to his character, showing compassion in "Chip on My Shoulder" and his love for Elle in "Legally Blonde." However, Good's largest asset was his phenomenal voice, which dropped jaws in "Take It Like A Man," "Legally Blonde," and "Find My Way/Finale." The way these actors conducted their characters independently and in conjunction charmed the audience and kept them engaged throughout the show.

The show was supplemented by a highly talented supporting cast, such as Taylor Stevens as Warner and Ainsley Steger as Paulette. Stevens had a strong debut with "Serious" and continued to impress with one-liners showing his remaining interest in Elle and his firm desire to succeed at Harvard. Steger captured hearts with her interpretation of Paulette, a salon owner who befriends Elle. Her solo number "Ireland" was hilarious and her remarkable comedic energy was evident throughout the show.

The crews were just as impressive as the cast. Notable crew departments in this show included costumes (Ainsley Steger and Bethany Shears), and music direction (James Good and Bethany Shears). The show featured a plethora of costumes and quick changes, with Elle alone having 13 different costumes. Each costume corresponded well with the theme of the scene and the personality of the character wearing it. Most extraordinary, however, was the music direction of James Good and Bethany Shears. Good and Shears collaboratively taught the cast all of the music in the show, investing dozens of hours into scheduling rehearsals, teaching parts, and creating rehearsal tracks. The quality of the music in the performance, considering the difficulty of the arrangements, was a reflection of the outstanding work of Good and Shears. The crews of Legally Blonde fantastically complemented the cast's talent.

Legally Blonde at Stone Bridge High School was an exciting and dynamic show. It was highly evident that the cast and crew were fully committed to putting on a wonderful performance, and their efforts paid off beautifully.

Aidan Wilbur
Thomas S. Wootton High School
Submitted for publication to Loudoun Times-Mirror

A bubbly, exciting, and touching evening was in store for the audience of Stone Bridge High School's Legally Blonde. Love, chemistry, and a little bit of law filled the stage as the story of Elle Woods brought the audience to laughter, sadness, and everything in between.

Originally a 2001 novel by Amanda Brown, Legally Blonde was made into a film that same year and was brought to the Palace Theatre on Broadway in April 2007. It follows the story of sorority girl Elle Woods, who decides to apply to Harvard Law School after her boyfriend Warner dumps her because she isn't "Serious." At Harvard, she meets Emmett, who shows her that she is much more than the dumb blonde everyone thinks her to be.

The entire ensemble gave an engaging, high-energy performance for the duration of the show. From the very beginning, Ruby Gau (Margot), Darby Ogorek (Serena), and Brittany Battista (Pilar) put a wonderful pep into each of their actions and constantly commanded attention with their strong character choices and powerful belts. Bethany Shears (Elle) played the transition from an airhead to an intelligent but still fun-loving lawyer expertly, and her incredible vocal talent left the audience in awe. Emmett (James Good) is dorky but honest and caring, and Good captured the essence of the character very well, also showcasing an impressive talent and control over his difficult vocal parts.

Outstanding performances also came from Paravi Das (Vivienne), Ava Bueno (Brooke), and Ainsley Steger (Paulette). Vivienne's cold, self-centered manner that shifts into an open, friendly ally to Elle was portrayed beautifully by Das, whose vocal talent is incredible. Bueno handled Brooke's hard exterior, as well as her challenging choreography, with ease. Steger's Paulette brought huge laughs with every scene, and her strong character choices went hand in hand with her powerful voice.

Of course, the show would not be anywhere near its caliber without the pit or crew. The pit was very adaptable, fixing their tempo or volume if something went amiss on the stage, and their sound was very unified and satisfying to listen to. The set (Paravi Das, Leah Meneau, Cameron Cocozza) was incredible, with massive pieces including a gigantic pink bookshelf and a balance that shifted as the plot went on. The lighting (Riley White, Matt Sam, Joe Eversmeyer, Judia King) was also very well executed, with smooth transitions and well-placed spotlights. The props (Brittany Battista, Sarah Irons) were very realistic and funny, from magazines to a still shrink-wrapped textbook.

Legally Blonde was a fun, light-hearted experience for the audience and an entertaining getaway to a very pink world. From its on-point technical elements to the talent of the entire ensemble, the show was difficult to look away from, and the only downside is that it ended. The audience left the theatre feeling "So Much Better" than before.