REVIEW: Legally Blonde – The Musical
Image: Photo: Grant Leslie
This is one of those rare instances where a stage musical derived from a movie is as good as – if not better – than that movie. And this staging by Packemin Productions at Riverside Theatres totally does it justice.
Legally Blonde: The Musical was written by Heather Hach, with songs by husband and wife team Lawrence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin. Don’t let the bejewelled chihuahua and pink colour scheme fool you – it’s a deceptively complex and clever musical that relies on a lot of pitch perfect delivery, intuitive comic timing, lots of personality, and a great voice – and this cast has all of the above in spades.
The story in brief, if you haven’t see the film, centres on Elle Woods, a pretty blonde Malibu Barbie incarnate, whose 50s era view of gender roles is challenged when the boyfriend who she thought was about to propose, instead breaks up with her to study law at Harvard. His not-so-subtle suggestion that Elle is not a suitable companion for a serious man prompts her to go to Harvard herself and prove otherwise. Lots of twists and turns, side stories, two cameo dog appearances and everyone ends up with what they deserve.
It is impeccably cast, with Mikayla Williams absolutely outstanding in the lead as Elle. Joshua Keane as Warner has a gorgeous, velvety voice and Kyle Sapsford as Emmett is a perfect mix of pubescent awkwardness and only adult in the room. Rodney Dobson (Callahan) brings gravity and presence, Jocelyn O’Brien (Paulette) has classic character-role charm.
The sets are clever and effective, the choreography is impressive and the sound and lighting technicians are on point.
This is premium level theatre at a very accessible price.
Until Aug 11. Riverside Theatres, Cnr Church St & Market St, Parramatta. $42-$55+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.riversideparramatta.com.au
Reviewed by Rita Bratovich
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