Elle Woods struts into Bowie Playhouse in a glittering pink storm, and the result is a delightfully upbeat evening of dancing, music, and heart. 2nd Star Productions’ Legally Blonde the Musical, directed by company regular Summer Moore, takes the beloved 2001 film and transforms it into a buoyant spectacle that celebrates determination, self-growth, and exceeding expectations.
From its opening number, “Omigod You Guys,” the ensemble sets a tone of high-octane energy, and a high bar for an ambitious choreography designed by Ade Babayemi. The production maintains an energetic momentum, bouncing from Delta Nu sorority silliness to Harvard Law drama, but does the work while navigating dated humor and jokes from the 2007 musical.
At the center is Elle Woods, played with sparkling charisma and warmth by Sydney Forrester Wilson. Her Elle is more than a pink-clad caricature — she grounds the comedy with genuine heart, especially highlighted through the Act I closer, “So Much Better,” which brought cheers from the audience on opening night.
There is an impressive depth and messaging in this show’s casting. Forrester, as a Black woman, adds another dimension to Elle’s struggle within Harvard, under the controlling oppression of the academic hegemony. Paired with powerful vocals and charming energy on stage, she brings a new and interesting take to this classic character.
Among the supporting cast, Jason Fowler as Emmett charms with an easygoing sincerity, his duets with Elle highlighting a chemistry that underpins her transformation. Natasha Alston as Paulette earns some of the biggest laughs of the evening, especially in the riotous “Bend and Snap,” while Willie Hadnot Jr. as Warner nails the entitled swagger of the ex-boyfriend who sparks Elle’s journey. The ensemble, too, deserves recognition for their athletic dancing and comic timing, particularly amplified by the muse team that backs Elle up through her time at Harvard.
Visually, the production embraces the show’s candy-colored aesthetic. The set fluidly shifts from sorority house to Harvard classroom to courtroom, with clever touches that keep transitions brisk. Costumes, of course, lean unapologetically into pinks and pastels, but they also underscore Elle’s growth: her wardrobe evolves alongside her confidence. The lighting design (Amariya Kailo) manages a very exciting theme with the story and scenes. Green hues for Paulette, bright and playful in the beginning as the characters approach their problems with hope, much more somber as the realities of their respective situations develop.
Moore’s direction strikes a fine balance between camp and sincerity, with moments of impressive staging. A standout moment of this direction occurs when Elle is learning of her acceptance into the coveted internship. While all the characters go into slow motion, highlighting Elle’s anxiety, Fowler’s Emmet moves through the crowd to pull Elle out of the anxiety bubble.
The orchestra, under the baton of Laura D. Hackett, keeps the score zippy and infectious, with strong support for the singers and a the varied range of harmonies and abilities.
The Bowie Playhouse audience responded with support throughout, and a standing ovation at curtain call. Legally Blonde resonates as a fun pop musical, nearly two decades after its Broadway debut, but it could benefit from an aware reassessment of its work and some of its numbers. There are some cringeworthy jokes and songs that do not survive the test of time (are we really still doing the “Is he gay or is he European” joke?). However, this was a fair win for the team from 2nd Star and Bowie Playhouse.
Running Time: Approximately two hours and 30 minutes, including one intermission.
Legally Blonde the Musical plays through October 4, 2025 (Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m.), presented by 2nd Star Productions performing at The Bowie Playhouse — 16500 White Marsh Park Drive in Bowie, MD. Tickets are $30 (general admission), $27 (seniors 62+), $19 (children under 12); group rates are also available. Purchase tickets through 2nd Star Productions’ online.
COVID Safety: Masks are encouraged but not required.
Legally Blonde the Musical
Music and Lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin
Book by Heather Hach
Based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture
Directed by Summer Moore
CAST
Sydney Forrester Wilson: Elle Woods
Jason Fowler: Emmett Forrest
Willie Hadnot Jr.: Warner Huntington III
Natasha Alston: Paulette
Julie Mimms: Brooke Wyndham
Eric Meadows: Professor Callahan
Neva Keuroglian Sullivan: Vivienne Kensington
Shayna Bloom: Enid Hoopes
Bonnie Millener: Margot
Anya Lengbeyer: Serena
Jillian Curd: Pilar
Maura Campbell: Kate
Madison Recktenwald: Delta Nu/Ensemble
Marcus Wilder: Delta Nu/Ensemble
Lori Bonnette: Ensemble
Steve Campbell: Ensemble
Ashley Bower Chaij: Ensemble
Quintin Contreras: Ensemble
Steven Fuentes: Ensemble
Bryan Hargraves: Sundeep Padamadan/Ensemble
Katrina Jackson: Ensemble
Shawford Jackson: Aaron Schultz/Ensemble
Andy Lawrie: Ensemble
Taylor Mitchell: Ensemble
Sean Morton: Ensemble
Leon Nguyen: Ensemble
Laura Paez: Ensemble
George Willis: Elle’s Dad/Ensemble
Rowan Campbell: Standby (Elle Woods, 9/27 & 9/28)
Will Townsend: Standby (Warner Huntington III, 9/27 & 9/28)
Diana Almeida: Standby (Paulette, 9/27 & 9/28)
Otega Okurume: Standby (Elle’s Dad/Ensemble, 9/5, 9/12, 9/13, 9/14)
Alternate Casting Schedule:
September 27 at 8 p.m. & September 28 at 2 p.m.
Rowan Campbell as Elle Woods
Diana Almeida as Paulette
Will Townsend as Warner Huntington III
PRODUCTION TEAM
Summer Moore: Director
Otega Okurume & Sonja Dinkins: Producers
Laura D. Hackett: Music Director
Ade Babayemi: Choreographer
Nicole Mullins: Assistant Director
Tyler Hart: Stage Manager
Abigail Fagbohunka: Assistant Choreographer
Bethany “Bex” Hoover: Assistant Stage Manager
Emily Sergo: Conductor
Gerald George & Onyx Cummings: Set Designers
Felicia Moore: Costume Designer
Doreen Roberts & Cheramie J. Jackson: Props Designers
Alexandra Johnson: Makeup/Hair Designer
Kassandra (Kasey) Norman: Hair Designer
Gene Valendo: Lead Carpenter
Ana-Alicia Collazo: Lead Set Painter
Kayla Grange: Assistant Costume Designer
Amariya Kailo: Lighting Consultant
Marianne Virnelson: Rehearsal Assistant
Andrea Trent: Artistic Director for 2nd Star
Katie Riegel: Executive Producer for 2nd Star