Did you hear the one about a self-centered, well to do lawyer who gets seated on an airplane next to an attractive blonde woman? He tries to get inventive to get her attention. He suggests that they ask each other questions for money. He starts. If she does not know the answer, she will pay him $5. If, however, she does know the answer, he will give her $1000. He asks her, how much does the moon weigh? She reaches into her purse, hands the lawyer $5, and goes to sleep, figuring that he will leave her alone. He insists on playing and tells her to ask him a question, offering her $1000 if he cannot answer the question. She asks, “what goes up a hillwith three legs and comes back down with four?” The lawyer searches his I Phone, calls some buddies and can not come up with the answer. He hands her the $1000. He then asks “well, what is the answer?” She hands him $5 and goes back to sleep. And that, folks, describes Elle Woods in “Legally Blonde”.
Elle Woods is masterfully played by Kayla Shipman. Elle is a portrait of a woman who initially appears to be a ditzy, superficial, spoiled sorority girl who’s only ambition is to marry the rich Warner Harrington III, played well by Daniel Rausch. He, however, decides he is dumping Elle as she is just not a “serious” enough person to accompany him on his high career ambitions. He is moving on to Harvard Law School.
Elle becomes determined to follow him to Harvard to win him back. She scores well on her LSATs and, in her charming, peculiar way, convinces the decision board to accept her. There she begins an amazing change, making friends and winning over people though her quirky behavior. She even solves a murder mystery, using the most obvious logic that eludes the other lawyers.
Turning “Legally Blonde”, a successful film from 2001, staring Reese Witherspoon, into a musical, elevates the story to another entertainment level. The singing and dancing bring it to life. The funny and charming tune “There, Right There” musically discusses whether the pool boy is gay or European and helps Elle to discredit a key witness in the murder case leading to getting her client acquitted.
Elle Woods, played by Kayla Shipman is the icing on the cake. She knocks it out of the park. Mandy Modic, director of “Legally Blonde” pulls all the production pieces together to make one entertaining evening. Add to that the amazing Music Theater Works Orchestra and this reviewer has to give this a “Highly Recommended” rating.
After the show we met up with Kayla Shipman. She was witty, charming, as well as beautiful. As I walked away I wondered… Is Kayla a natural blonde?