The Diablo Theatre Company is getting ready to host Delta Nu’s most famous sorority sister, Elle Woods, with their production of Legally Blonde, the Musical! With a book by Heather Hach and music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin, the show had its pre-Broadway tryouts right here in San Francisco. So it seems only fitting that it’s back -and with MTV contest winner and Broadway star Bailey Hanks - as the extraordinary Elle Woods.
The Blonde Highlights:
“I’ll meet him there at Harvard with a book in my hand/Big sturdy book, big wordy book/ full of words I’ll understand.” Elle Woods may not start out her journey as the brightest Delta Nu sorority sister, but that all changes when she takes up the challenge of attending Harvard Law School in the hopes of winning back Harvard-bound ex-boyfriend Warner Huntington III. Diablo Theatre Company notes that during its first year in New York, Legally Blonde, the Musical earned seven Tony Award nominations, 10 Drama Desk Award nominations and an Outer Critics Circle Award. Now that sounds like a show you won’t want to miss!
What to watch for - from Linda:
Legally Blonde is about female empowerment emerging from the powdery pink fluffiness that some college girls can fall into – just like Elle. The show has to be careful not to land too heavily on the side of sappiness so that it doesn’t lose its smart edge in the process. Watch for Bailey Hank’s Elle Woods to ride the line between smartness and sweetness. If she plays it right, both qualities will come shining through – much like the blonde highlights given at the Hair Affair Salon where beautician and gal-pal Paulette works. Bailey Hanks is a major triple-threat with singing, dancing and acting coming as naturally to her as her South Carolina accent. But don’t expect to hear it in her performance. Hanks gets an A+ for her California cool accent!
What to watch for – from Nick:
After Legally Blonde, the Musical aired on MTV in 2007, a reality series followed called Legally Blonde, the Musical: The Search for Elle Woods. Bailey Hanks emerged as the big winner! With original Broadway star Laura Bell Bundy’s performance all over YouTube, people will be expecting a powerhouse Elle Woods from Hanks. It’s a much smaller venue and that may make a difference in how she plays the role. Having A real BROADWAY talent should be very exciting, but it’s going to come with some expectations from her performance. I don’t know about other critics, but this one is expecting a good “bend and snap” and a pink aura that fills the theater ‘til it bursts!
From both of us:
We’re excited to be welcoming the show back to the Bay Area. It’s a great show for ‘tweens and teens but it wouldn’t have had the Broadway staying power that it had (not to mention all of the awards) without a sizeable adult audience. Come to Walnut Creek and get in on the fun no matter what your age!
Legally Blonde Things to Do to Get Ready for the Show
Omigod You Guys! The first thing you have to do is freshen up your highlights and get an Elle Woods makeover! Relax by getting in the pink with a marvelous spa treatment at Changes Salon & Day Spa, www.changessalon.com or Creekside Spa & Salon, http://www.creeksidespasalon.com/. Both are in Walnut Creek, the home of the Diablo Theatre Company.
Legally delicious places to eat: Elle and doggie companion Bruiser are both dedicated vegetarians so, after a tour of the Cal campus in Berkeley, why not head to the Herbivore or Café Gratitude (http://www.herbivorerestaurant.com/ and http://cafegratitude.com/ respectively). If you go to Café Gratitude, we recommend the “I AM EXTRAORDINARY” veggie BLT, in honor of the extraordinary Elle Woods.
