History Theatre / LegallyBlonde

'''Elle:''' An act that is evil in itself: assault, murder, [[WhatDoYouMeanItsNotHeinous white shoes after Labor Day]].

The musical takes a different direction from [[Film/LegallyBlonde the 2003 movie]]. The genre disparity between the over-the-top wacky comedy (Elle's two sorority sisters, the "bend and snap" scene) and the more realistic comedy (almost everything else) is gone. "Bend and Snap" as a big dance number fits right in in a musical full of big dance numbers. In fact, the bend-and-snap is made into an actual plot point, replacing the mind-bending "designer shoes" plot point from the film. Minor characters are dropped in exchange for expanding the current cast. The musical version's Emmett has a real give-and-take relationship with Elle; Kate's character is expanded as she helps Elle get into Harvard law, made way for a more diverse Delta Nu; and Brooke Taylor Wyndham who, instead of being just a glamorous Barbie doll, seemed like an actual fitness enthusiast capable of making her empire. Warner and Elle did their undergrad at UCLA as opposed to the fictional CULA.

->'''Warner Huntington III''': ''You'' got into Harvard Law?
->'''Elle Woods''': What, like it's hard?

Based on the semi-autobiographical story of Amanda Brown, [[Film/LegallyBlonde the 2001 film]] starred ReeseWitherspoon in her first break-out role. This page, however, is about ''Legally Blonde: TheMusical'', which hit Broadway in 2007. An MTV broadcast of the musical can be watched in full on Google Video.

The musical makes some changes from the movie that are arguably an improvement. The genre disparity between the over-the-top wacky comedy (Elle's two sorority sisters, the "bend and snap" scene) and the more realistic comedy (almost everything else) is gone. "Bend and Snap" as a big dance number fits right in in a musical full of big dance numbers. In fact, the bend-and-snap is made into an actual plot point, replacing the mind-bending "designer shoes" plot point from the film. The musical version's Emmett also has a real give-and-take relationship with Elle, rather than being merely the bemused bystander whose primary role was to provide the proposal at the end. Warner and Elle did their undergrad at UCLA as opposed to the fictional CULA, making for implications from the very start that Elle actually ''is'' intelligent under that hair color. And there's the introduction and expansion of Kate's character, who helps Elle get into Harvard law, made way for a more diverse Delta Nu as well as a much more realistic Brooke Taylor Wyndham who instead of being just a glamorous Barbie doll seemed like an actual fitness enthusiast capable of making her empire.

!This musical shows examples of:

* EstablisingCharacterMoment: Elle gets hers during "Omigod You Guys!", when she sees through a department store saleswoman's attempt to sell her an overpriced, out-of-style dress.

* CampGay: '''Carlos'''. Though that's arguably the point of his character.

* IAmBecomingSong: YMMV of course, but "So Much Better" ranks right up there with "Defying Gravity" as one of the MostTriumphantExamples of this.

* BrainyBrunette: Played straight with Vivienne. Elle attempts to [[InvokedTrope invoke this]] by going to the Hair Affair, only to be talked out of it by Paulette.

* TriumphantReprise: "Legally Blonde".

'''Mikos:''' Two years.\\

'''Mikos:''' Mikos.\\

'''Mikos:''' Carlos.

The musical makes some changes from the movie that are arguably an improvement. The genre disparity between the over-the-top wacky comedy (Elle's two sorority sisters, the "bend and snap" scene) and the more realistic comedy (almost everything else) is gone. "Bend and Snap" as a big dance number fits right in in a musical full of big dance numbers. In fact, the bend-and-snap is made into an actual plot point, replacing the mind-bending "designer shoes" plot point from the film. The musical version's Emmett also has a real give-and-take relationship with Elle, rather than being merely the bemused bystander whose primary role was to provide the proposal at the end. Warner and Elle did their undergrad at UCLA as opposed to the fictional CULA, making for implications from the very start that Elle actually ''is'' intelligent under that hair color. And there's the introduction and expansion of Kate's character, who helps Elle get into Harvard law, made way for a more diverse Delta Nu as well as a much more realistic Brooke Taylor Windam who instead of being just a glamorous Barbie doll seemed like an actual fitness enthusiast capable of making her empire.

** Delta Nu gets this thanks to the sorority sisters, specifically Margo, Serena & Pilar, getting more time to interact with Elle via the Greek Chorus. Kate's character is added to the Broadway version and is seen equal to all the other sisters despite being [[HollywoodNerd different from them]]. Several sisters are also sporty, most notably Brooke Windam who is less high glamour and more polished, sporty entrepreneur.

--> '''Emmett:''' So, Mr. Argitakos. This alleged affair with Ms. Windam has been going on for...?\\

* UpToEleven: The..."personal essay" portion of Elle's Harvard application. You thought that tape she used in the ''movie'' was ridiculous! Puh-''shaw!''

** Elle & Emmett as the groundwork for their relationship is laid over their studying during the fall semester and winter holidays. In Addition, Elle has to work harder and sacrifice more in order to get the results she wants, making both the portrayal more believable and her character more Rich. Emmett, also gets this by the virtue of spending more time with Elle and helping her both study and re-focusing her motivations on herself instead of trying to impress Warner. Extra points awarded as this is done out of true friendship and not in any way to try and pick her up.

:: Ironically, the dialogue before these lines lists jaywalking as an example of things that are just forbidden (like chewing gum in Singapore)

-->'''Warner:''' ''That's why I think you and I...should break up!''\\

* BechdelTest: Passes with flying colors, thank you Elle, Paulette, and Vivienne.

* BeyondTheImpossible: The..."personal essay" portion of Elle's Harvard application. You thought that tape she used in the ''movie'' was ridiculous! Puh-''shaw!''

* JerkWithAHeartOfJerk: Callahan. He starts off as a cold, condescending, ruthless AmoralAttorney, but when Elle manages to turn the case around, he acts warmly towards her, praising her and defending her from Warner. [[spoiler: And then, almost immediately after, he makes a move on Elle, and when she rejects him, he fires her, sending her into a Heroic BSOD.]]

* {{Scotireland}}

* LargeHam: If every single member of the cast is not playing this to the hilt, that cast is doing it wrong. This then makes "Legally Blonde" all the more heartwrenching, as Emmett and Elle drop all the hamminess.

::: Ironically, the dialogue before these lines lists jaywalking as an example of things that are just forbidden (like chewing gum in Singapore)

* [[BetterThanItSounds/{{Theater}} Better Than It Sounds: Theater]]: Under the candy-colored fluffapalooza is a surprisingly strong feminist message with genuine character development and believable romance. Of course, YourMileageMayVary.

* SheCleansUpNicely: Elle harnesses this power during "Take It Like a Man" to try to help the [[UnkemptBeauty handsomely scruffy]] Emmett impress his boss before the trial. He sees himself in the mirror and promptly [[JawDrop shocks]] himself! Even the still- AlphaBitch Vivienne has to chalk one up to Elle when she sees him at the court house, and his boss is sufficiently impressed as well.

Based on the semi-autobiographical story of Amanda Brown, [[LegallyBlonde the 2001 film]] starred ReeseWitherspoon in her first break-out role. This page, however, is about ''Legally Blonde: TheMusical'', which hit Broadway in 2007. An MTV broadcast of the musical can be watched in full on Google Video.

** Delta Nu gets this thanks to the sorority sisters, specificall Margo, Serena & Pilar, getting more time to interact with Elle via the Greek Chorus. Kate's character is added to the broadway version and is seen equal to all the other sisters despite being [[HollywoodNerd different from them]]. Several sisters are also sporty, most notably Brooke Windam who is less high glamour and more polished, sporty entrepreneur.

:: Ironically, the dialogue before these lines lists jaywalking as an example of things that are just forbidden (like chewing gum in Singapore)

* BetterThanItSoundsTheatre: Under the candy-colored fluffapalooza is a surprisingly strong feminist message with genuine character development and believable romance. Of course, YourMileageMayVary.

* HeCleansUpNicely: Elle harnesses this power during "Take It Like a Man" to try to help the [[UnkemptBeauty handsomely scruffy]] Emmett impress his boss before the trial. He sees himself in the mirror and promptly [[JawDrop shocks]] himself! Even the still- AlphaBitch Vivienne has to chalk one up to Elle when she sees him at the court house, and his boss is sufficiently impressed as well.
* HollywoodHomely: The supposedly plain Vivienne was played on Broadway by ''Miss America 1998'' Kate Shindle.

* LadyDrunk: Elle's mom

* LesYay:
** Hinted at between Elle and Vivienne in the salon, but just barely. Also, Brooke and Elle are rather touchy-feely with each other...
** In the touring production, at the end of the dance break in Positive, Margot has her hand on one of Elle's boobs.
** Likewise in the London production, albeit it's Serena rather than Margot who's fondling Elle during the freeze. Clearly they're all at it.

* SidekickSong: "Ireland" is one big, bombastic excuse for Orfeh (or whoever's playing Paulette) to get up and show off.

* RomanceOnTheSet: The original Elle and Emmett - Laura Bell Bundy and Christian Borle - fell in love during the show's run and dated for a while after (they've broken up since then, though).

* ScreenToStageAdaptation

* TriumphantReprise: "Legally Blonde"

[[redirect:LegallyBlondeTheMusical]]