CM PACs LEGALLY BLONDE - I'm 'Serious' You'll Love this Show!
Omigod, you guys! The most fashionable lawyer is currently holding court at Creative Ministries Performing Arts Center (CM PAC) in Oakdale, Long Island. Legally Blonde, The Musical opened this past weekend, complete with pink carpet arrivals, to a very talented cast and wonderfully enthusiastic audience.
Running through February 3rd, PatRick Grossman directs (in addition to Choreography, Costumes, and Set) CM PACs incarnation staring M.E. Junge as Elle Woods, a UCLA college student and member of the Delta Nu sorority. Ms. Junge was a wonderful choice for Elle; great voice, pretty, and actually looked like a college student. It seemed, at some points, the music and the rest of the company over-powered her, but that's a typical opening night. Another highlight of Ms. Junge was her choreography which was very much approved amongst the nearly sold out audience.
When the pink curtain rose, Elle's sorority sisters are so excited for her about her dinner date with self-important boyfriend, Warner Huntington III, portrayed by Danny Amy, as they think a marriage proposal is imminent. This number, "Omigod, You Guys", is one that will not be out of your head for several days after you see this show. It is very catchy and the cast did a wonderful job with this performance. As Elle and Warner actually break up, Elle follows Warner to Harvard Law School where she realizes a dream she didn't know she had and accomplished more than she could have imagined.
Also among the cast was Ed Brennan, another fantastic CM vet, as Professor Callahan, one of Elle's law professors and a prominent attorney himself. His version of "Blood in the Water" was top notch. It seems as though, while very talented, that he was slightly young for the role. I was expecting someone a little older for this type of professor; very good, nonetheless.
Another highlight of the cast was Erica Gilio as Paulette, a salon owner and one of the first people Elle meets when she moves to Boston. Her stunning rendition of "Ireland", and her first appearance on stage, got one of the loudest applause of the evening.
Additionally, Cai Radleigh-Sheppard, who portrayed Brooke Wyndham, gave a fun performance of "Whipped Into Shape". Brooke, a former Delta Nu, is a celebrity fitness trainer charged with her husband's murder. Elle is on Brooke's legal team, headed by Professor Callahan.
If there was one thing that I had a problem with, that was the scene changes. They could have been more discrete. You could plainly see people running on and off stage as they were changing the sets from scene to scene. Besides this, the show is very enjoyable and makes for a fun girls night at the theatre. SNAPS!
Legally Blonde, The Musical is presented by Creative Ministries Performing Arts Center (CM PAC) of Oakdale, Long Island, through February 3rd, 2013. Based on the 2001 Reese Witherspoon movie. Music and Lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin; Book by Heather Hatch; Direction, Choreography, Sets and Costumes by PatRick Grossman; Musical Direction by Christopher McKee; Sound Design by Don Hanna; Lighting Design by Zephan Ellenbogan. For more information and to purchase tickets, please call 631-218-2810 or visit www.cmpac.com
