"Legally Blonde," based on Amanda Brown's novel and the MGM motion picture, tells the story of Elle Woods, a seemingly ditzy blonde who defies stereotypes and pursues her dreams at Harvard Law School. While the musical focuses on Elle's journey, it also features a colorful cast of characters, including Grandmaster Chad.
Grandmaster Chad is a "Jamaican Me Crazy" Reggae Rapper/Hip Hop Dancer. This is a standout role from the other fraternity brothers and requires a ton of energy! He is a singer/dancer in What You Want number.
Here is a more detailed look at the characters in "Legally Blonde":
- Elle Woods: Energetic, sweet, and thoughtful, with genius-level intellect. Requires an excellent performer in all areas: singing, dancing and acting.
- Paulette Bonafonte: A brash, caring, optimistic hair stylist who is friends with Elle and longs to find a man for herself.
- Brooke Wyndham: A famous exercise video mogul who is on trial for murdering her husband. Looking for an actor who can sing and dance.
- Emmett Forrest: A smart and sensitive law student who takes Elle under his wing and eventually falls in love with her. He is charming and friendly.
- Professor Callahan: A self-important and manipulative law professor at Harvard. Callahan should be both charismatic and conniving.
- Warner Huntington III: Elle’s ex-boyfriend, who is looking for "somebody classy and not too tacky." Plastic charm.
- Vivienne Kensington: Warner’s fiancee and a smart, savvy law student who initially dismisses Elle but grows to befriend her.
- Kyle: The UPS guy. Looking for a muscular, highly masculine individual with a matching speaking voice.
Bend and Snap
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Other characters include:
- Serena, Pilar, Margot: Elle’s Delta Nu sisters who form a Greek chorus to inspire Elle at Harvard.
- Enid Hoopes: Harvard law student and extreme feminist.
- Chutney Wyndham: Stepdaughter to Brook Wyndham.
- Dewey: Paulette’s ex-boyfriend.
- Sundeep Padaman: New Harvard law student.
- Aaron Schultz: A new Harvard Law Student and multi-millionaire.
- Mr. Woods: Elle’s wealthy father.
- Carlos/Nikos: A same-sex couple.
The ensemble plays multiple roles throughout the production, highlighting the importance of every cast member in bringing the world of "Legally Blonde" to life. No role is small, especially in the world of Legally Blonde, where actors change hats quickly from character to character.
Elle’s a Gemini with a double Capricorn moon, a Sigma Sweetheart, president of Delta Nu sorority and founded the charity “Shop for a Cause.” You might not buy her rapid rise to attorney extraordinaire, but you’re always rooting for this “believe in yourself” Malibu Barbie as she tackles stereotypes, preppy snobs and lecherous tutors in pursuit of her dreams. Margie Mays captures Elle’s innate sweetness and adorable charm perfectly and has a phenomenal soprano voice with the ability to pull off a lot of quick-witted humor.
In the beginning, Elle’s initial preoccupation in winning Warner back hinders her from devoting time to study, but mostly she is distracted by his new fiancee, Vivian (Renee Wylder), a smart, sassy overachiever-type law student. Elle is humiliated in class on her first day, and scorned by her classmates.
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Luckily, with much help from new friend Emmett Forrest, a licensed attorney and assistant to Professor Callahan (Christopher Robert Smith), personified by the always graceful Max DeLoach, she’ll get down to business. She plans to nab a prestigious law internship with the prickly Callahan. His version of “Blood in the Water” with the ensemble was peerless. Later, Emmett not only becomes her mentor/tutor, but he eventually falls for her, expressing his silken-voiced love in the signature song, “Legally Blonde.” The men’s store scene in Act 2 where Emmett is refashioned with a new raging suit by Elle, replacing his raveled schmattes and worn corduroys, was a runaway success with the number, “Take It Like a Man.”
Her manicurist Paulette, becomes her only other new friend, who she runs to for solace. Paulette (played by the very talented Renee Cohen) is hilarious, brash, happy and has a style all of her own as she commiserates with Elle over their lost loves. Elle teaches Paulette how to get a man with “Bend and Snap,” a bend-at-the-waist-stick-out-your-fanny dance routine that should probably come with a disclaimer if you’re over 40. One of the funnier moments in the show is when Paulette falls for Kyle, the UPS guy (the brawny Kolt Andrew) and she puts her new-found skill to good use.
Other stand-outs include the militant/activist law school student Enid, played by Ariana George, who also doubles as Veronica; frat-boy Grandmaster Chad, depicted by Jonathon Flemmings; and Megan Stys as Brooke, a beautifully opulent Deltu Nu sorority sister who is accused of murdering her wealthy husband. Ms. Stys’ athleticism and simultaneous vocal ability is joyously baffling in her high energy, “Whipped into Shape,” spotlighting a multi-cast of amazingly dexterous rope-jumpers, who exhibited exact timing while belting out their ballad, and was a mouth-opening wonder of achievement. The court room trial segment, however, which featured strong vocals from the entire company is one of the most uproarious moments in the show and a real work of art. Hinging on Elle’s “gaydar abilities,” which requires outing a gay man in court in order to win a case, the scene was topped off with the controversial show centerpiece, “There! Right There!,” producing rolling in the aisles laughter. Thomas Hollow’s Warner also brings a terrific baritone quality to “Serious,” Other notable numbers were “Ireland,” “So Much Better,” and “Omigod You Guys,” accompanied by incredible choreography. Shani Hamilton is the Dance Captain.
In this deep talent pool, the 21-person cast is top-tier, with almost half supporting the show as ensemble while doubling in additional roles. The sorority sisters (Erika Cruz, Joelle Tshudy and Shani Hamilton), who also play the Greek Chorus, all look like they are fresh out of central casting for cheerleaders; Kolt Andrew skillfully channels multiple characters, including Kyle B. O’Boyle, Dewey and Lowell; Chloe Haven plays both Chutney Wyndam and Kate; and Haley Wolff is Leilani and swings Margot, Serena and Pilar.
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