Review: Music Theater Works’ Legally Blonde the Musical Features Standout Vocalists

It’s the top of the second act. Fans of the musical will recognize the familiar bop of “Whipped into Shape” start to play from the stellar orchestra. This is the moment we meet Brooke Wyndham – not only a famous personal trainer with a national fan base for her top-notch workout videos, but also a woman on trial for the murder of her husband.

As the curtains open and the lights come up, Brooke Wyndham (Amanda Handegan) takes center stage, surrounded by an ensemble dressed in bright workout gear. Costume designer Kristen Brinati does not hold back, leaning into a classic '80s aesthetic that fills the stage with vibrant color. Lighting designer Chelsea Lynn lifts up a similar aesthetic in her design, extending the vibrant color up onto the walls and into the audience. Scenic designer Shane Cinal keeps the space fairly minimal. As the ensemble spreads out into formation, Brooke begins to sing:

“Hi, I'm Brooke Wyndham
And welcome back to the
Wyndham Workout Disk Two Challenge
And our daily commitment to being
The best that we can be
Yeah!
So, grab your Cardiowhip 5000
'Cause if you wanna get ripped
You gotta get whipped”

(L to R) Madison Jaffe-Richter, Alex Villaseñor, Claire Campbell, Amanda Handegan, Eric Amundson, Connor Ripperger, Michael Davis Arnold and Lili Galluzzo. Photo by Brett Beiner.

Choreographer Mollyanne Nunn’s work does not fail to impress with a routine that clearly asks for a high level of athleticism from everyone on stage. Each dancer executes jump rope choreography with twists and turns in perfect rhythm. However, the real feat here is by Handegan who not only performs the routine with ease, but also belts out the entire number on top of it—somehow never skipping a beat. “Whipped into Shape” elicited an uproar of applause at this particular performance, and every bit of that was deserved. This production as a whole is a great deal of fun, but the talent emanating from the performers truly pushes it over the top.

Directed by Mandy Modic, Legally Blonde the Musical is based on the hit 2001 film. We watch Elle Woods (Kayla Shipman) who, upon getting dumped by her college boyfriend, Warner Huntington III (Daniel Rausch), follows him to Harvard Law School in an attempt to win him back. Over the course of the story, Elle starts to realize that maybe she’s capable of far more than she ever gave herself credit for. Particularly with the help of Emmett Forest (David Moreland), Elle is able to see that as long as you believe in yourself, you truly can accomplish the impossible.

With music by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin and book by Heather Hach, the musical features a score full of bops that will have you dancing in your seat along with the cast. The list includes “Omigod You Guys,” “What You Want,” “So Much Better,” “Ireland,” and so much more. Every one of these numbers is performed with tremendous talent by the soloists in the cast, especially Moreland, Shipman, and Korey White as Professor Calahan.

Kayla Shipman with members of the cast. Photo by Brett Beiner.

As much as the production wows with the larger-than-life ensemble numbers, the smaller, emotional pieces bring a great deal of heart to the show. “Legally Blonde” appears in the second act as Elle begins to question whether or not she deserves to be a lawyer at all. While Emmett begs her to stay, Elle leaves in a rush, and the two move to opposite sides of the stage as they continue the duet.

Cinal’s stage again is appropriately simple for the moment with Emmett alone in a Harvard classroom on one side and Elle on the other with her suitcase. With so little to distract, the audience is able to focus on the heartbreaking performances—with two individuals who wish they could say so much more to each other but are simply out of time. Shipman and Moreland fill the space with impressive belts that also carry the genuine emotional undertones.

Full of talent and pizzazz, Legally Blonde the Musical is the perfect musical for the family. Chicago is full of so many holiday classics this time of year, but this story carries just as much heart and hope as we prepare to welcome in the new year.

Music Theater Works' production of Legally Blonde the Musical continues through December 29 at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd. Tickets are $19 - $84 for Thursday-Sunday performances. Running time is 2 hours and 30 minutes with one intermission.

For more information on this and other productions, see theatreinchicago.com.

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Lauren Katz