By Kristen Nevarez Schweizer
May 6, 2024
Sincerity spilled off the stage on the opening night of San Diego Musical Theatre’s Legally Blonde: The Musical. The joyful musical, directed and choreographed by Xavier J. Bush, is already sold out through its first weekend, but audiences can catch performances running through June 2, 2024.
Legally Blonde: The Musical is a well-constructed show with a snappy pace, dynamic music, and hysterical lyrics. After a successful Broadway run and being further popularized by MTV, Legally Blonde remains a favorite choice for high school drama clubs despite the challenging vocals because of the many diverse roles. Few romantic comedies from the early aughts hold up to modern scrutiny, but this one does. SDMT’s smart casting of supporting and minor roles elevated every scene; this review is dedicated to its electric ensemble.
Legally Blonde follows Elle Woods (dancing queen Johnisa Breault) as she follows her ex-boyfriend Warner Huntington III (played by Eli Wood) to Harvard Law School. The male Wood brings convincing smarminess to his Huntington. It’s not easy to be the punch line, but his satisfying second-act reactions make him a perfect fall guy. Spoilers: Huntington loses Elle’s affection to sweet Emmett Forrest (Drew Bradford). Endearing Bradford is a loveable Emmett who—like Superman removing his glasses— believably transforms from scruffy to svelte. Bradford delivers the wistfulness (and handles the quick change) of Take It Like a Man.
Elle Woods’ three sorority sisters—AKA her “Greek chorus”—are triple threats. Sassy Sophia Larosh, cute Megan Chua, and wide-eyed Audrey Deubig come together well in energetic harmonies and enthusiastic dance numbers, yet each girl makes smart comedic choices for individual personalities. Kudos to their eye-candy costumes, courtesy of designer Chong Mi Land.
Elle’s bestie Paulette, played by Bethany Slomka, confidently serves up some of the script’s best laughs. Her solo number Ireland (and reprise) is both hilarious and empathetic. Union-card-carrying Slomka can carry a scene. Commanding Cara Tafolla (playing fellow law student Enid) earns multiple laughs and nails her section of The Harvard Variations.
Spunky Joy Newbegin (playing defendant Brooke Wyndham) sparkles in the aerobic jump-rope number Whipped Into Shape. Newbegin is talented and immediately likable. Vivian Romero (playing rival Vivienne Kensington) impresses through the second act when she gets a chance to show off her pipes. She belts above the ensemble with the assurance of a blooming leading lady. Shout-out to the magnetic Cole Fletcher in his SDMT debut. His sparkling commitment—from strong brows to pointed toe—proves he’s a rising star. Fingers crossed we’ll see him in larger local roles soon.
A standing ovation for Robert J. Townsend who plays villainous Professor Callahan. Townsend’s charismatic stage presence and beautiful baritone are well-suited to the role’s shiny loafers. (He might sound better than the role’s 2007 Broadway cast recording?) Townsend has the most impressive resume of the cast, having appeared in Broadway’s Mamma Mia, toured nationally with Jersey Boys, and holds a Best Actor award from the San Diego Critic’s Circle.
Earnest and effervescent, Legally Blonde: The Musical remains a sure-fire crowd-pleaser and a smart pick by San Diego Musical Theatre. SDMT is the only year-round musical theater organization in the city. It offers a youth academy and pre-professional performances—such as 13, opening July 19, making it a “positively” crucial step in many local resumes and a stage worth supporting. Though, if you hate pink, you can still get excited for their autumn production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
Legally Blonde: The Musical
Book by Heather Hach
Music & lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe & Nell Benjamin
San Diego Musical Theatre
Directed and choreographed by Xavier J. Bush
Musical direction by Lyndon Pugeda
May 3–June 2, 2024
