I have a long history with “Legally Blonde” the musical. It started in ninth grade when auditions were announced for a production at my local community theatre. I then spent every afternoon propping up my laptop and doing karaoke to the show’s songs (when my family wasn’t home of course). If you are a theater kid, you know the show inside and out. So, when I went to see the IU Department of Theatre, Drama and Contemporary Dance’s production last week, I was jittering with excitement.
The story of “Legally Blonde” is iconic for a reason. Growing up, I idolized Elle Woods and her drive. Based on the 2001 film of the same name, the musical follows Woods, a blonde sorority girl from Malibu, who is constantly put in a box of assumed vacuous superficiality. No one takes her seriously. When she arrives at Harvard Law School in search of her ex-boyfriend Warner, she is quickly the laughingstock of the program. What gives Elle drive is the fact that she earned her place at Harvard like everyone else. The musical showcases her quest to prove she belongs, and she succeeds.
As a blonde, I have been there. Elle’s story is one of many women, and it resonated with this production’s very own Elle, played by junior musical theatre major Mia Stewart.
Before the show I had the opportunity to speak with Stewart about what it meant to step into Elle’s sparkly shoes.
“Everyone knows who Elle Woods is. She has really made an impact on our society and our generation specifically,” Stewart said. “I really wanted to be able to explore that character in an in-depth way, while also making it more myself rather than a caricature.”
For Stewart, taking on the role of Elle carried even more weight.
“Since I am a Black woman, it almost spins the story in a different way,” she said. “It becomes less about the fact that she is a blonde woman and more about the fact that she is a minority in a place where Black women aren’t often seen.”
Stewart’s Elle was unmistakably her own. Yes, she was bubbly and vibrant, but she brought a nuance to the role that reminds us why Elle’s story remains relevant 24 years after the original movie released in 2001.
“Elle is very strong, she grew up very privileged, but she has experienced discrimination for how she looks and the way she is,” Stewart said. “She perseveres throughout all of it, and it is very rare that she gets pushed aside and lets it happen.”
The show started with the hyper energetic number “Omigod You Guys.” The ensemble depicted the sorority members of the fictional UCLA chapter of Delta Nu, running around in a rainbow of costumes prepping for Elle’s presumed engagement to Warner. I was out of breath watching this number. I truly do not know how these girls did it, but it was so satisfying.
Stewart came out in the middle of the number to thunderous applause and soon enough had an on-stage quick change that impressed as well as a voice that demands to be heard. The end of the number brought in the delightfully douchey Warner, played by sophomore musical theatre major Justin Katin.
“Serious,” a duet between Elle and Warner was perfectly hilarious. Elle wants to get engaged; Warner wants someone who, as the song suggests, is more “serious” as he sings, “Less of a Marilyn, more of a Jackie.” Katin’s voice soars in this number; he was opting up, these vocal choices so true to Warner’s showy character, and he sounded amazing. He has a voice that makes me even more envious that I will never be a musical theatre tenor. It makes you like him so much that you forget that during this number, Warner is breaking up with Elle.
In true Elle Woods fashion, she gets her groove back in “What You Want.” The ensemble number starts with Elle studying for her LSAT and ends in a giant cheer-themed dance break that, naturally, leads to her acceptance into Harvard’s Law School. Stewart has a ridiculous voice (seriously, check out IU Musical Theatre on TikTok to hear for yourself), but in this number especially, her dancing and stage command really shine.
This was one of my favorite numbers of the night. I also loved that this production reimagined Elle’s parents as a queer couple – it just makes so much sense that she would have two dads.
Elle is immediately ostracized at school. Dressed in all pink in a sea of browns and beiges, she is kicked out of class by Professor Callahan played by second-year MFA acting candidate Eric Thompson. By the way, Thompson’s Callahan was effortless, I was terrified of him just sitting in the audience. His presence was that commanding.
Elle finds comfort in hairdresser Paulette, played by senior musical theatre major Alanna Porter. Porter’s Paulette was so grounded and warm, with her humor coming almost effortlessly. She made me love her song “Ireland,” a tune that I always skip when listening to the cast album. Her scenes with Stewart were so natural, the chemistry was there.
She also meets Emmett, another law student who acts as her mentor. Senior musical theatre major Evan Vaughan gave Emmett a quiet sincerity. He was so easy to love and shined in the number “Chip on My Shoulder.” Elle and Emmett’s relationship is a slow-burn throughout the show, and the actors captured that progression with a natural rhythm that made it feel so real.
Everyone stood out in this show. Vivienne, Warner’s “serious” new girlfriend and soon enough fiancée, played by sophomore musical theatre major Isabel Rodriguez, finally had her moment to shine in one of the final numbers “Legally Blonde Remix.” Rodriguez had riffs pouring out of her as she belted her face off.
Elle’s journey wouldn’t be the same without her UCLA best friends: Margot, Serena and Pilar. They serve as her inner voice, cheering her on when she needs it the most. The trio’s energy never faltered. Margot, played by junior musical theatre major Molly Higgins, stood out with her comedic timing. Her bubbly nature reminded me so much of the original Broadway cast Margot, played by Annaleigh Ashford.
Seeing IU’s production of “Legally Blonde” reminded me why this show has stayed so close to my heart. The cast captured the spirit of Elle Wood’s story, making it feel so fresh and relevant. Legally Blonde is not just a feel-good musical but an empowering story reminding those to not let anyone put you in a box.
Stewart said it best, “I want audiences to leave feeling like they had the best night ever.”
And if you can’t tell already with this column, I did.
