Legally Blonde was a surprise hit in the summer of 2001 and has amassed quite the cult following over the years. No one would have guessed that a movie about a stereotypical, blonde bombshell, chasing after her ex-boyfriend, who dumped her to pursue a more serious life at Harvard, would become a source of inspiration and a symbol of female empowerment. Yet, here we are in 2025 and Legally Blonde the Musical is entertaining audiences with this story of a beauty with a brain and a heart of gold, along with an incredible score and rousing dance numbers.
The Arlington Players are entering the final week of their run of Legally Blonde and, if you are looking for a little hope, positivity, and pure joy to escape from the crashing economy, crumbling democracy, and fascism banging at your door, I highly suggest witnessing this production.
The set design by Kim Leone is massive and incredibly well done, with multiple flats that can be arranged to show the exterior of the sorority house, then open up to the interior with lovely twin stairs. Flats with faux brick backing are used to represent various parts of Harvard, and while some of the scene changes were a little lengthy, it was interesting to watch the choreography of the many moving parts, not to mention impressive.
Music Director and Conductor Blakeman Brophy, does a lovely job working with the live orchestra in the pit and blending the music with the cast’s strong voices. There were a couple moments when the vocals did not sync up exactly, which can happen if the actors are struggling to hear the music, but it was short lived, barely noticeable, and hey! That’s live theater for you!
Lindsey Anstead plays the captivating Elle Woods, giving her the genuine kindness, empathy, and drive that makes her character so lovable. And right from Anstead’s first solo in “Omigod You Guys,” she conveys the love, appreciation, and good heartedness that make Elle someone you would battle dragons for.
And then there’s Warner Huntington Ill (Andrew Edwards). What a putz. Edwards is great at being truly awful and milks the tragic humor in his song “Serious,” as Warner drags out dumping Elle in the most thoughtless, confusing way possible. We hate him so much. Well done, Edwards.
Luckily for Elle, she has the support of her sorority sisters (played by Maia Potok-Holmes, Gabriella Derke, Gabrielle Priest, and Shannon Hardy), who stick by her side as she works through her rollercoaster of emotions. Especially Elle’s core trio of friends Pilar (Shiloh Manns), Serena (Chelsea Williamson), and Margot (Taylor Litofsky). I am of the firm belief that all women need ladies like these in their lives. Devoted, supportive, ready to rip a girl’s eyes out if it comes to that… A little extreme but that is the energy you need from your friends to bolster you when you are down. And Litofsky, Manns, and Willamson crushed it. Each character had their own distinct personality and created many comedic moments, not to mention their killer vocals in “Positive” and “Bend and Snap.”
Preston Grover played the seemingly soft-spoken but incredibly driven Emmett Forrest. Emmett is an all-around good guy who sees what Elle is capable of and gives her the tools to succeed. Grover plays the measured and charming Emmett with seeming ease, and the evolution of his character from tutor to love interest through the sequences of “Chip On Your Shoulder” is beautiful and incredibly natural.
Professor Callahan (Ryan Brown) is skeezy, slimy, and all things we hate about lawyers and toxic men. The only redeeming quality of Callahan is that he sees Warner for the worthless sycophant that he is and treats him thusly.
Claire Jeffrey plays Brooke Wyndham, who is wrongfully accused of murdering her husband. The audience doesn’t get a lot of time to know her character, but she opens the second act with the stellar number “Whipped Into Shape” where she simultaneously jumps rope and sings her face off. So, yeah. She’s hot and awesome.
Another notable character is Vivienne Kensington, played by Marissa Michaels. She comes off as nasty and mean but once she realizes how real Elle is, and how disgusting the men are, she has Elle’s back to the end. Plus her solos in “Legally Blonde Remix” are fantastic.
There are too many hilarious moments to mention: like Enid Hoopes (Arianna Parenti) jumping to the defense of Gloria Steinem. The epic entrance of Kyle (UPS Guy) by Brady Misustin. Paulette Bonafonte, played by Anna Marquardt, fantasizing about Ireland.
The entire cast in The Arlington Players Legally Blonde the Musical do great work, with gorgeous vocals, and fun choreography by Victoria Jungck.
Legally Blonde is a musical comedy. But it is more than that. The show is about female empowerment, lifting each other up, and holding people accountable when they fail.
Legally Blonde the Musical is one of those food-for-the-soul, feel-good shows, and showcases a level of confidence and fortitude that young girls can aspire to. Congrats to the creative team, cast, and crew on a job well done.
Running Time: Approximately two hours and 20 minutes, with one 15-minute intermission.
Legally Blonde the Musical plays through April 27, 2025, presented by The Arlington Players performing at the Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre, 125 South Old Glebe Road, Arlington, VA. Tickets ($30 for adults, $25 for seniors and military, and $20 for students and children) can be purchased online, at the door, by contacting the Box Office at 703-549-1063, or via email (TAP@thearlingtonplayers.org).
The performance on Saturday, April 26, at 7:30PM will have Sign Language Interpretation.
Legally Blonde the Musical
Music and Lyrics by Book by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin Heather Hach
Based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture
Directed by Sabrina McAllister
Music Directed by Blake Brophy
Choreographed by Victoria Jungck
Produced by Jasmine Jones
CAST
Elle Woods: Lindsey Anstead; Emmett Forrest: Preston Grover; Paulette Bonafonte: Anna Marquardt; Pilar: Shiloh Manns; Serena: Chelsea Williamson; Margot: Taylor Litofsky; Warner Huntington Ill: Andrew Edwards; Vivienne Kensington: Marissa Michaels; Brooke Wyndham: Claire Jeffrey; Enid Hoopes: Arianna Parenti; Professor Callahan: Ryan Brown; Greek Chorus /Ensemble: Maia Potok-Holmes, Gabriella Derke, Gabrielle Priest, and Shannon Hardy; Carlos /Ensemble: Clayton Alex James; Nikos /Ensemble: Hector Matias; Kyle (UPS Guy) /Ensemble: Brady Misustin; Aaron Schultz /Ensemble: Ethan Kahwaty, Grand Master Chad /Ensemble: Elijah Nygaard; Elle’s Mom /Ensemble: Loren Blinde; Elle’s Dad /Ensemble: George Willis; Chutney Wyndham /Ensemble: Yael Rennert; Judge /Ensemble: Mariam Mesfin; Leilani /Ensemble: Jemies Blank; Whitney /Ensemble: Gina Strohbach; Ensemble: Sam Caplan, Patrick Cochran, Grey Moszkowski
ORCHESTRA
Conductor: Blakeman Brophy; Bass: Matt Majors; Drums: Kevin Uleck; Guitar: Chris Sisson and Rick Peralta; Keyboard: Blakeman Brophy; Keyboard 2: Steve McBride and Aimee Faulkner; Keyboard 3: Scott Richards; Percussion: Scott Luxenberg; Reed 1: Gwyn Jones and Mary Whitmore; Reed 2: Julie Pangelinan and Howard Mccullers; Trombone: KC Collins; Trumpet 1: Paul Weiss; Trumpet 2: Brian Morton; Violin: Tasha Pulvermacher
PRODUCTION TEAM
Producer: Jasmine Jones; Assistant Producer: Brandon Schenk; Director: Sabrina McAllister; Assistant Director: Sydne Lyons; Music Director: Blakeman Brophy; Choreographer: Victoria Jungck; Irish Step Choreographer: Christine Connor; Co-Stage Managers: Nick Friedlander, Dawn Morrow, and Lauren Markovich; Assistant Stage Managers: Maureen Dawson and Katie Lewis; Set Design : Kim Leone; Co-Master Carpenters: Tony Muller and Shah Choudhury; Assistant Carpenters: Kiersten Mitzel and Chris Kohlbeck; Set/Scenic Painter: Kim Leone; Set & Scenic Assistants: Jillian Rubino and Alix Neenan; Co-Props Design: Kim Leone and Nikki Rizzo; Set Dressing: Kim Leone; Lighting Design: Scott Graham; Sound Design: Adam Parker; Sound Assistants: Jerri Ford, Colette Yeager, and Adam Johnson; Sound Mixer: Adam Parker; Co-Costume Design: Joan Lawrence and Lydia Matson; Costume Assistants: Lucie Alden, Jordan Coley, Elaina Reck, Elspeth Grindstaff, and Erin Deutschman; Makeup & Hair Design: Robin Maline and Lanae Sterrett; Hair & Makeup Crew: Karen Maline, Katie Clement, and Maureen Roult; Fight Choreographer: Emily “EJ” Jonas; Intimacy Choreographer: Emily “EJ” Jonas; ASL Interpreters: Mary Beth Morgan and Bryan Davis; Bruiser Monitors: K Scarry and Jake Killian; Promo & Production Photos: Heather Regan; Videography: Claire Jeffrey; Show Graphics/Marketing, Program: Mikel Gajkowski; Headshots: Javier Rios; Lobby Display: Aimee Dastin and Mikel Gajkowski; Spot #1 Operator: Tyler McGee; Spot #2 Operators: Adrian Steele and Adam Johnson; Fly: Steven Yates; Rigging Chief: Christopher Smith; Light Board Operator: Joni Hughes; Run Crew: David Duval, Lainie Stuart, Lisa Nuccio, Sergio Melwhich, Chris Kohlbeck, Micah Lacasse, and Emily Weaver; Audition/Callbacks Accompanist: Paige Rammelkamp; Audition Volunteer: Kendall Billings; Dance Assistant (Auditions): Elda Trombley
