Review: LEGALLY BLONDE LEGALLY BLONDE Sparkles at Edmonton’s Citadel Theatre

Elle Woods has it all: a 4.0 GPA, fiercely loyal friends, a handsome boyfriend, a chic wardrobe, and an adorable dog. When her Harvard-bound boyfriend, Warner, suddenly dumps her, she is determined to win him back. All she has to do is get accepted into Harvard law school alongside him and remind him that what he wants (someone “serious”) is right in front of him.

Based on the beloved 2001 film (and novel) of the same name, Legally Blonde is an upbeat, pink-hued pop musical. Fresh off a successful run in Calgary, Legally Blonde arrives in Edmonton, opening the Citadel Theatre’s highly anticipated 60th anniversary season. Directed and choreographed by Stephanie Graham, the production features a cast of 15 triple-threat performers, two dogs, and a whole lot of pink. 

Though the musical numbers and lyrics (written by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin, respectively) are mostly forgettable, the performances, costumes, and choreography are top-notch. Kelsey Verzotti dons Elle’s bright pink high heels, lighting up the stage with her expressive vocals and comedic timing. Though Elle is a former sorority queen bee, she shatters the stereotype of the vapid blonde rich girl. Instead, she is fiercely intelligent and treats everyone with kindness, proving her Harvard classmates’ and stern instructor, Professor Callahan’s (John Ullyatt’s), dubious first impressions of her wrong. 

Though not everyone is on her side, Elle can always count on her besties Margot (Maya Baker), Pilar (Jessica Jones), and Serena (played on opening night by understudy April Cook). They are everything from Elle’s literal cheerleaders, acting as her beaming back-up dancers in her unorthodox Harvard essay submission (What You Want) and Elle’s personal Greek chorus when Warner (Kaden Brett Forsberg) proposes to his steely new girlfriend, Vivienne (portrayed on opening night by understudy Layne Labbe). 

But Margot, Pilar, and Serena aren’t Elle’s only allies: Elle befriends the downtrodden but lovable hairstylist, Paulette (Patricia Zentilli), and eventually wins over her jaded law school T.A., Emmett (Daniel Fong). Zentilli delivers a soulful, hilarious rendition of Paulette’s big number, Ireland, and leaves the audience in stitches when she gawks at her muscly new UPS delivery guy, Kyle (Gunho Kwak). It would also be remiss not to mention Elle’s unexpected camaraderie with the jailed fitness influencer, Brooke Wyndham (Sarah Horsman). Though Verzotti usually has the spotlight, Horsman also has her time to shine; she leads the upbeat dance number, Whipped into Shape, simultaneously singing and performing an intricate jump-rope routine.

Both light-hearted and empowering, Legally Blonde is a heartwarming celebration of girl power, self-discovery, and all things pink. Audiences have until August 3rd to fall in love with this feel-good production! 

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