Amid the glut of movies becoming stage musicals, "Legally Blonde" seemed a better candidate than most. The original was already virtual musical comedy minus the songs. It also sported a lightweight but sturdy plot that could lose little in translation; indeed, both the 2001 pic and its 2003 sequel were so formulaic that a tuner might stand a reasonable chance of improvement. The good news is it does that -- thoroughly, delightfully so. The bad news? Actually, there is none.
This fuchsia fluffsicle, socked over by choreographer-turned-director Jerry Mitchell, might not win over those opposed on principal to the Hollywoodization of Broadway. But its S.F. tryout is already a genuinely likable, splashy crowd-pleaser that could prove grumble-proof come its May Rialto launch.
The movies, inspired by Amanda Brown's comic novel, offered one simple hook (think "Born Yesterday" meets "Valley Girl") and routine situations singlehandedly redeemed by Reese Witherspoon's star turn as Elle Woods. She gave not-so-dumb-blonde as good as any of the greats, from Judy Holliday to Kristen Chenoweth.
Stepping into those spike-heeled shoes is Laura Bell Bundy, whose ditz credentials are in full order following turns as the original Amber in Broadway's "Hairspray" and replacement to Chenoweth's Glinda in "Wicked." Bundy may not have Witherspoon's radiant warmth (who does?), but she engagingly makes the role her own even as she delivers a faithful reproduction of its originator's (nonsinging) character voice.
Malibu-born-and-bred Elle is the stereotypical perfect product of her environment, an apparent bubblehead with the body, hair, wardrobe and money to make most guys say, "Who cares if it has a brain?" But in fact, she's a 4.0 UCLA student -- albeit in fashion merchandising.
Opening number "Omigod You Guys," the first of many effectively rousing interludes, has her equally squeal-inclined sorority sisters at Delta Nu athrall with anticipation for Elle -- because tonight is the night perfect boyfriend Warner (Richard H. Blake) is expected to propose. Instead of popping the question, however, he pops her balloon. Heading to Harvard Law in the fall, with plans to be "a senator by 30," Warner can't afford anymore to have a living Barbie as consort. It's time to get "Serious," he sings.
Latter duet is a good example of how "Legally Blonde" composer-lyricists Laurence O'Keefe ("Bat Boy") and Nell Benjamin utilize the pop, R&B and hip-hop party sounds of recent MTV decades to enjoyably semi-satirical ends -- after all, boy bands, "American Idol"-style canned soul and booty-shaking anthems would be the logical soundtrack for Elle's worldview.
On first listen, the songs don't impress as being worth much repetition outside the show's infectious performance context. Still, they are facile and ironic in the right way, with lyrics (like the dialogue in Heather Bach's book) that are often very funny.
Devastated, Elle pulls herself out of a "shame spiral" -- and out of the pink-and-teal Barbie Mansion of David Rockwell's inspired sorority-house skeleton. Figuring she can win Warner back if she proves she's "serious" after all, she crams enough to actually gain admission to Harvard. Rather than penning a personal essay, however, her application climaxes with a halftime Super Bowl cheer squad routine performed for the initially incredulous Law School dean in his office.
Once ensconced, Elle is dismayed to discover Warner already has a very "serious" new girlfriend in ambitious Vivienne (Kate Shindle), and that her own superfemme El Lay ways appear ludicrous to classmates, let alone to tough Prof. Callahan (Michael Rupert), legal eagle of a billion-dollar firm. He informs new students that only "some lawyers are sharks. The rest are chum."
Ridiculed Elle finds emotional support in brassy Bostonian hairdresser Paulette (Orfeh) and academic motivation from Emmett (Christian Borle), the teaching assistant-cum-working-class hero cast as improved romantic-fadeout material. (Elle also gets a delightful Greek chorus of yakkety Delta Nu sisters, who materialize whenever crisis arises.)
After intermission, Elle's close study of girly surface style ultimately triumphs in a court case wherein Callahan and interns defend fitness-regime queen Brooke Wyndham (Nikki Snelson) from the charge of murdering her rich older husband.
So much of "Legally Blonde" is so smartly engineered, good looking, high energy and hilarious that it's easy to forgive those few moments sporting an earnestness this material can't easily support. (Much is lumped on Borle, though he manages to be funny when he can.)
