World premiere of 'Legally Blonde,' the musical, in SF

By Register staff

A rip-roaring musical comedy based on the romantic comedy, "Legally Blonde," is in its world premiere engagement at San Francisco's Golden Gate Theater through Feb. 24.

Slated to open on Broadway this spring, the musical -- crafted in the style of "Hairspray" and other topical spoofs -- stars Laura Bell Bundy in the role created on the screen by Reese Witherspoon. Bundy originated the role of Amber Van Tussle in the Tony Award-winning musical, "Hairspray," and replaced Kristin Chenoweth in the role of Glinda in the smash hit, "Wicked."

The musical rendition of "Legally Blonde" has been created by a dean's list of top-of-their-class Broadway talent, including Tony Award-winning director/choreographer Jerry Mitchell ("Hairspray"), music and lyrics by Nell Benjamin ("Sarah, Plain and Tall") and Laurence O'Keefe ("Batboy") and scenic designer David Rockwell ("Dirty Rotten Scoundrels").

Based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the motion picture, "Legally Blonde" focuses on a college girl who has it all, Elle Woods. She's the president of her sorority, a Hawaiian Tropic girl, Miss June in her campus calendar and, above all, a natural blonde.

She dates the cutest fraternity boy on campus and wants nothing more than to be Mrs. Warner Huntington III. But, there's just one thing stopping Warner (played by Richard H. Blake) from popping the question: Elle is too blonde. Growing up across the street from Aaron Spelling might mean something in L.A., but nothing to Warner's East-Coast blue blood family.

So, when Warner packs up for Harvard Law and reunites with an old sweetheart from prep school, Elle rallies all her resources and gets into Harvard, determined to win him back. But law school is a far cry from the comforts of her poolside and the mall. Elle must wage the battle of her life, for her guy, for herself and for all blondes. Along the way, Elle proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style.

The two-and-one-half-hour musical comedy features a wealth of new songs and eye-popping choreography.

Tickets, $35 to $90, are available online at shnsf.com, through Ticketmaster or by at (415) 512-7770.

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