Saturday, January 16, 2010
‘Legally Blonde’ Mixes Perky Tunes, Gaping Holes: London Stage
Bloomberg.com: "The heroine’s costumes are so brightly pink in London’s latest musical “Legally Blonde” that they should carry a retina-specific health warning. The terrific dazzle almost blinds one to the holes in the plot."
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
7 comments:
I was extremely reluctant to see Legally Blonde on a class trip two years ago, but I have to disagree with the author of this article by offering that there may be too many memorable numbers for its own good. The bubblegum pop is stuck in your hair, for lack of a better metaphor. That aside, the production values are incredible in Legally Blonde, even in the sets for some of the quickest scenes (I refer to Elle and Warner's "Time to Get Serious" date under a silhouetted tree and hanging bulb lights and the Act II opener "Whipped into Shape" in a sunny beach locale with disappears instantaneously when the lawyers "stop" the exercise video they are watching and are suddenly inside their office). Legally Blonde is far from my favorite show (and FAR too pink for my taste), but it has redeeming qualities that make for an enjoyable show, even for the snobs and men-dragged-along.
I have not seen Legally Blonde in person, only on tv when MTV showed it and some really random backstage cuts. While the show is very pink, and a little to perky, many of the numbers are very catchy and attempt to keep the audience involved. The quick scenes that Brain mentioned are also amazing as a technical person. Seeing sets shift on and off so quickly is great and the set designer was very clever about many of them. Though Legally Blonde would not be my first choice of show to see, it would be nice to see it in person. Besides this reviewer gave it one more star than the classic "Twelfth Night," maybe it would be worthwhile.
My favorite part of this article was the note about 'Legally Blonde' not being profound, but somehow that was okay. I love musical theatre for this reason. We can all agree that theatre can make statements, and say things, and should be about the 'why now?' but I really love things that take a break from that. I've read over 100 pages today in Supreme Court cases and the history of Athenian culture. Attending a happy perky musical that allows me to sit back and enjoy without having to think sounds pretty good right now. And I think we all need that from time to time. Everyone loves a good drama, but that can also be said for a good, fun loving musical. And personally, I thought 'Legally Blonde' was absolutely fabulous. I'm excited to hear more about the London production.
I have to admit that I agree with Shar. Not in every case but there is a certain soft spot in my heart for this particular musical. I know that it does nothing to forward thinking but you just can't help liking it.I showed it to my brother and father who both admitted to liking it. I am also glad to see that it is able to translate to audience outside of a America. I always sort of thought that valley girls were exclusive to us. Even though I do enjoy this musical I also wish that smaller more meaningful productions would get the same amount of attention.
I have no problem with musicals being nothing but fluffy silly fun. More often than not, that's exactly what people seek out when they go to see a musical. However, if I'm going to spend money on the theater, I want it to be thought-provoking, or at least original. I'm very unlikely to spend a lot of money on a show when I could just rent the movie it was based on.
I conpletely disagree with the author'sstatement of this show not being profound. I was lucky enough to be able to see the shows previews in San Fransisco and was actually blown away by the depth the production was able to install into the work. If one looks, not only as the character of Elle Woods, but the style and words of the songs shesings throughout the show, one can see a depth of character and change from the Elle at the beginning of act one and the Elle at the final bow. And as for the tunes, I entirely disagree with the author's statement of the lack of a catchy tune. I walked out of the theater and, much to my regret, sang "OMG You Guys" for days after. Now, while I do not feel this is the best example of theater, I feel it does have much more credit than it is given in this article.
What I think this article lacks is the American sensibility as to the truth behind this play. Plucky blonde girl willing to do anything for the love of her life is commonplace here, the plot of many a teen movie and real life motivation to do join after school clubs, get into good colleges and all of the other probably not as kosher things that teenagers do to get closer to one another.
And, perhaps, as some have said before me, its not bad for a show to have a thinly veiled plot and lots of sparkle. Why not enjoy a production for what it is?
Post a Comment