 |
| The Greek chorus encourages Elle (Rachelle Schaum, second from left) to study for Harvard Law. (Photo by Misty McDowell) |
It’s easy to like Foothill Music Theatre’s
production of “Legally Blonde: The Musical.”
It has an energetic, likeable cast of students and
community members who are fully invested in their characters, thanks to
direction by Milissa Carey and choreography by Stacey Reed.
The feel-good plot by Heather Hach features Elle
(Rachelle Schaum), who goes from frivolous sorority girl to legal maven, thanks
to some good friends and her own intuition.
As it begins, Elle and her UCLA sorority sisters expect
that she will become engaged to her boyfriend, the full-of-himself Warner
(Jason Mooney). Instead, he breaks up with her because he thinks she isn’t
serious enough as he pursues his plans to attend Harvard Law School and go on
to a political career.
Still in love with him, Elle studies hard and gets
into Harvard Law School, too. That’s where she encounters a taskmaster,
Professor Callahan (Hank Lawson), as well as Warner’s new girlfriend and fellow
student, Vivienne (Grace Margaret Craig).
She also makes friends, notably another student,
Emmett (Andrew Cope), and hair salon owner Paulette (Sarah Bylsma).
After proving herself in court, she winds up being
valedictorian of her class.
Music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell
Benjamin are mostly upbeat pop tunes that are sung well. Music director Michael
Horsley conducts five other musicians from a keyboard behind an onstage scrim.
Yusuke Soi's simple set is lighted by Pamila Gray
with sound by Dan Holland. The many colorful costumes are by Y. Sharon Peng.
Two other characters of note are Bruiser (Pippa),
Elle’s six-pound Chihuahua mix, and an unnamed chocolate-colored pup. Pippa is
on loan from Pets in Need and available for adoption after the show closes.
The one drawback to this production is that the
women’s chorus, serving as the sorority sisters and a Greek chorus, is too
squealy, especially in the opening number, “Omigod You Guys.”
Otherwise it’s a well done show that runs about two
hours and 15 minutes with an intermission.
It will continue through March 17 at Foothill
College’s Lohman Theatre, 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills.
For tickets and information, call (650) 949-7360 or
visit www.foothill.edu/theatre.
