Sunday, October 19, 2008
Case Closed: Legally Blonde Ends Broadway Run Oct. 19
Playbill News: "Legally Blonde, the pop musical based on the 2001 MGM film of the same name, ends its run at the Palace Theatre Oct. 19. When it closes, the production will have played 30 previews and 595 regular performances."
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I'm one of those people who stumbled onto Legally Blonde the musical thanks to channel surfing and MTV being below channel 100 in Boston, and while I wasn't amazed by the show I thought it was a lot more entertaining then I was expecting it to be. The transition from only ok movie in my perspective to fairly entertaining play actually made the fairly basic plot much more enjoyable for me. After all, how can a play containing a song about the confusion Europeans can cause be a bad play? That being said, channel surfing also showed me the darker side of this play. MTV's reality TV show of casting for the character struck a nerve with me. I do not like reality TV, even shows like Project Runway which are only mildly reality TV really annoy me. While I'm sure that the producers of Legally Blonde wouldn't let MTV just have a rag tag group of people run their casting, I don't like the idea that actors are now capable of using reality TV as an audition area.
It is so sad that this show is closing, but it makes sense. Having the show performed for TV cameras and air on MTV allowed many to see the show. This probably hurt ticket sales some since people did not need to go to Broadway and buy a ticket, they just needed cable TV. This TV verison did however help with the accessibility of the show. I enjoyed watching both the musical and the reality show on MTV. I thought it was an interesting twist on casting a show and gave the audience an "inside" look at the casting process. Though it may not be the best way to cast a Broadway show, it sure was interesting to watch and see some of the process.
Best of luck to the cast and crew in their new adventures!
Thank god..
First of all I really like LEGALLY BLONDE. Because it is so extremely entertaining and addicting. I watched the MTV broadcast along with everyone else, and while the televication of a show substantially takes away from the key element of LIVE theatre, it allowed many people who would otherwise not see a professional production see the skill level that exists on professional stages. The fact that it is closing means absolutely nothing to me because it was fun and it made people laugh and now its over. The way its supposed to. As for the SEARCH FOR THE NEW ELLE WOODS, it killed me. That was blasphemy and totally degrades the talent of Broadway actors. It killed my respect for Jerry Mitchell and should NEVER BE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN AGAIN.
Thank God. It's about time for something worth-while to be back on Broadway in its spot. Although, I don't know if that's necessarily going to happen. It'll probably be filled with another attempt at a "crowd pleaser."
To be fair, I didn't see LEGALLY BLONDE, but the soundtrack is irritating, the movie is annoying, and there is very little plot (if at all) to delve into. So, yeah.
I feel for the people now having to look for new work now, though. Best of luck to them.
When I heard about this production being mounted, I was less than excited. I enjoyed the movie but was skeptical of its transition to the stage. However, I was able to see it on Broadway, and found it to be very enjoyable and fun. Now granted, it is no artistic wonder, but it is entertaining and I am sad that it is coming to a close.
I am sad that this show is closing because I think that, while it is definitely not the best show in town, it encouraged audiences to go to the theater who may not have gone in the first place. The show was entertaining and fun, one of the goals of the theater. As for the TV show that everyone is complaining about, I though that, while it did (in some ways) demean the abilities of some of the best actors in the business, it opened a window into the casting process for the common theater-goer. Shedding light is an important part of communication and makes people more interested in what is going on.
I dont i have ever been happier to see a show close on broadway! Yes I said it!! I think that this show is a disgrace to theatre and shouldnt be put on ANYWHERE. I feel very strongly about movies being transported into musicals that then hit the broadway stage. It is simply a way for big producing companies in new york city to make loads of money. And this is something that i think is completely determintal to our art. Legally Blond should never have become a musical, granted it made millions of dollars... It is a good oppertunity ofr the technical side of the theatre but the story.. and the messages? I am happy it is currently closing!
I agree with andrew. I mean, the fact that so many people saw it on T.V. was not really a good decision. I know i wouldn't go see it after I watched it on T.V., I'd reather use my money seeing a show I HADN'T seen (That would be all too practical, though...) Anywho, best of luck to all involved in the production :)
I was so glad to hear that Legally Blonde closed. It was one of those shows that really bothered me in the way that it was produced. I have though had a love/hate relationship with Legally Blonde. When I first saw it, I had really high expectations, but I was sadly disappointed. I wanted to see 'real theatre'. David Rockwell is one of my favorite scenic designers, and Lawrence O'Keefe's prior musical; "Bat Boy" was hilarious, but for some reason their work disappointed me.
Later though, I was able to see the performance on MTV - and I realized how the show was meant to be seen. Being such a bubble gum and cotton candy show - MTV seemed to be the best outlet for the show.
So i'm glad to see the show go from broadway - but I think that it's opened up a whole new venue for musicals - through television - in order to reach a broader audience.
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