“Legally Blonde” exceeds expectations

While everyone was looking forward to a fantastic performance of “Legally Blonde: The Musical”, the Reagan Drama Club’s rendition went above and beyond. There was raw singing talent on the stage, as well as charisma and strong acting skills.

It is impossible to pick out a single favorite line or scene of this drama. Everyone in the audience was kept on the edge of their seats even if they had seen the movie a million times, and laughter was heard throughout the whole performance.

Being a part of the performance was just as entertaining as watching the performance. Cast members enjoyed themselves all throughout the rehearsals, even if they were slightly stressed at points.

“It was really fun because we all got close,” junior Lydia Landrum said. “My favorite part was learning all the dances and hanging out with my friends.”

The play opens with the girls of Delta Nu, a sorority at UCLA singing and dancing, and Elle Woods (senior Hannah Harward) preparing for a date with her boyfriend, Warner Huntington III (senior Eric LaRosee.) She expects to be proposed to, only to be dramatically and suddenly dumped because he wants someone “serious.”

Elle hides out in her room for days, eating large amounts of chocolate (to the other girls’ dismay) and crying. Finally, she emerges with a plan. She needs to go to Harvard Law School and prove to Warner that she is the girl for him.

She sends in her application, after trying for quite some time to get a high enough score on her L-SATs. She leaves out her personal essay, electing to deliver it in person through song. The admissions office finally begrudgingly admits her to Harvard.

Right from the start, it is painfully evident that Elle doesn’t belong. She’s introduced to a group of other students by Emmett Forrest (senior Zac Fitzgerald.) As they give their names and some information about themselves, they tout missions they’ve done and things they’ve already accomplished. Elle announces her zodiac sign.

Her transfer from UCLA to Harvard Law is anything but smooth. She’s kicked out of class the first day and arrives to a party dressed as a bunny when it is not a costume party.

However, after some time, her experiences begin to change. She starts working hard with Emmett to get better in her classes, and achieves Professor Callahan’s (senior Amir Cooper)  elusive internship, later going on to win the case for Brooke Windham (senior Chloe Adam), a former Delta Nu and current fitness guru, without divulging her shameful alibi.

The ending to the play is not at all what one would expect. Twists and turns lie around every corner, include newfound romance, the revelation of ulterior motives and achievement nobody expected.

Certain relationships throughout the play are developed so smoothly, you feel like you’re watching real relationships unfold. The chemistry between Elle and Emmett was tangible, as well as Callahan’s interaction with the law students.  Characters’ personalities are exposed as well, most notably Paulette Bonafonté (junior Maddie Dunlap.)

Paulette runs a salon, which doubles as an advice booth. She encourages Elle when she’s down, hilariously and in a different way than anyone else could. Dunlap’s work to bring the character to life made the show that much better.

Another actress that stood out because of a tiny detail was Lydia Landrum, who played Serena. During one of the numbers, Elle’s Greek Chorus reappears every so often to show the passage of time. To indicate that it’s time for the Christmas holidays, they sing a carol, and as they reach the end, she reaches behind her back and pulls out a menorah, while wearing a yarmulke, and winks at the crowd.

Every minute of every scene of this show was spectacular. Each actor and actress brought their own interpretation of the characters, and they blended perfectly to create the mood of the show.

“The musical was a delight to watch, and it had good humor as well,” junior Mary Baker Turner said.

If anyone didn’t go to see it, they truly missed out on something wonderful. The Reagan Drama Club has gone above and beyond once again, and it will be very exciting to see what they have up their sleeves for next year’s productions.