Whenever a movie is adapted for the stage, things are bound to deviate from the original script. But don't let that stop you from seeing Legally Blonde The Musical at TPAC this season.
The charming stage version of the blockbuster film leaves most of the signature quips and scenes intact and is infused with hilarious pop-cultural references throughout.
Rest assured that Elle still thinks she hallucinated, Emmett is still a butthead, and Paulete wonders if Vivienne has three tits. But from there, the stage performance changes up the Blonde that your used to and keeps the story relevant and current with mentions of Beyonce, Girls Gone Wild and a rap interlude with music ala "Shaft" - not to give away too much.
The show's musical numbers garnered uproarious applause during Tuesday's opening-night performance led by Broadway's original Elle Woods, Laura Bell Bundy, who now lives in Nashville.
"Blood in the Water" offered a unique interpretation to the teaching techniques of Professor Callahan. "Bend and Snap" introduced the audience to sexy postman Dewey in a painted-on UPS uniform that inspired coos and giggles from a wide variety of audience members. Perhaps the most outrageous and campy number of the evening, "There, Right There!" (which could just as justifiably been called 'Gay or European') expands the courtroom discovery that the pool boy is gay into a comical, satirical and perfectly over-the-top scene that proves this play is as ballsy as it is fun.
Audience members offered a long standing ovation during the curtain call and a surprise on-stage appearance of Betty Witherspoon, mother of Reese Witherspoon who played Elle in the Legally Blonde Movie. Witherspoon told the audience the back story of how Reese decided to take the roll and thanked the cast for bringing the show to Nashville.
"We want to thank the woman who birthed the woman who birthed Legally Blonde," Bundy said before Witherspoon left the stage.
Legally Blonde is a delightful show with a cast who's energy is infectious and sure to bring out your jovial, happy-go-lucky inner blonde.
Visit tpac.org/legallyblonde for more info and to purchase tickets.