Like my opinion matters... Legally Blonde (musical review)

After listening to the soundtrack to the musical for several weeks, I was prepared to really like this performance and it didn't disappoint. While some of my favorite musicals explore deeper themes, such as:  justice and mercy in "Les Miserables; love, obsession, and incredible music in "Phantom of the Opera"-- "Legally Blonde" has a lighter theme, although it does have a message about being true to yourself and becoming your best you... Guess not all musicals need to have a serious message.  I liked it and found it to be very enjoyable. I do feel badly that I'm reviewing a play on the second to last day of its run in Salt Lake and most of you wouldn't go to a play on Sunday so you won't have time to see it.  It's a little like sending postcards to people when you are at a really fun and exciting place that say "wish you were here" when you didn't invite them to go with you in the first place. 

 The lead actress playing Elle Woods had a great voice and was believable in the role.  Must have been a fun role to play.  Loved the Greek Chorus of voices in her head with the Delta Nu girls.  It was Paulette though (the beauty shop girl) that really stood out in her role.  I loved the interplay and friendship that developed between Elle and Paulette, despite their being from very different backgrounds and lifestyles.  Several of Paulette's lines and songs centered around her belief that Ireland was the place to find happiness-- in fact, she calls it the "place of whiskey and love" in one of the songs and dreams of meeting an Irish guy  named Brendan or Liam.  Not so different than some of my dreams; well, minus the whiskey.  When I'm done blogging... maybe I will start looking for vacations in Ireland... there are cruises that go there... The guy that played Kyle (the delivery man) was hilarious in his role-- delivering packages and strutting around like a singing telegram/strip tease -type guy.  Now, the UPS guys that come to my house never look and act quite like that. If they did, I would probably be late for work when I was expecting a package.  Doubt that would go over very well at work though so it's probably better that Kyle doesn't show up at my door.  

The only role that I didn't find believable was that of Brooke- the exercise guru and accused murderer of her husband.  Her voice just wasn't strong enough when she was singing "Whipped Into Shape".  Maybe "Wimped into Shape" would have been more appropriate.

In these shows, the creativity shown by the directors/writers/and whoever else is involved is very inspiring to me.  Particularly in how they weave scenes together and bring in some of the extraneous stuff that are crucial to the plot but difficult to portray.

The line up of shows for the 2010-2011 season was announced today and looks really good:

The Color Purple
Young Frankenstein
Les Miserables
Mary Poppins

The additional shows not included in the season also look good and I'm sure I will go to some of them too, especially:

Spamalot-- one of my personal favorites!
Mamma Mia!

Season ticket renewals and new season tickets both go on sale in April.  Time to start saving money... and, if anyone is interested in getting season tickets with us, consider yourself invited!