subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Mon, Jul 06 2009 

Published: October 09, 2008 10:31 am    print this story  

THEATER: Hit musical ‘Legally Blonde’ makes stop at Shea’s

By Alyssa Kramer



Slip on your high heels, plug in those curling irons and hop into something pink, because Elle Woods is coming to town with a hairbrush in one hand and a briefcase in the other.

And she means business.

With Bruiser by her side, Elle and the gang are opening the 2008-09 M&T Broadway Series at Shea’s Performing Arts Center with “Legally Blonde: The Musical,” directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell. The show opens Tuesday.

Based on the light-hearted novel by Amanda Brown and 2001 film starring Reese Witherspoon, “Legally Blonde” has turned into an upbeat, clever and entertaining musical.

It’s a story about Elle Woods, a fashion student who is at first mistaken for having more beauty than brains but soon proves everyone wrong when her boyfriend dumps her for someone more “serious.”

Before her sorority sisters can say “Omigod,” Elle puts down her nail polish and heads to Harvard Law School to send the message to herself and everyone else that beauty and brains are a winning combination, but that learning who you are is what’s most important.

“It’s exciting when we can bring in younger audiences to a show with such a positive message,” said Lisa Grisanti, Shea’s director of marketing and public relations.

It hasn’t taken very long for the musical to make a name for itself. On Broadway for only one year, “Legally Blonde” was among the 10 most requested Ticketmaster arts and theater events for 2007.

The musical also received seven 2007 Tony Award nominations, 10 2007 Drama Desk Award nominations and a 2007 Outer Critics Circle Award.

After its success on Broadway, “Legally Blonde” hit the road and opened its inaugural national tour a few weeks ago in Providence, R.I.

Becky Gulsvig fills the high-heeled shoes of Elle Woods. The petite, young blonde started off as the understudy of Elle on Broadway and has ascended to the starring role in the national tour.

Gulsvig has also appeared as Amber Von Tussle in the Broadway production of “Hairspray,” Wendy Darling in the national tour of “Peter Pan” and on ABC’s “All My Children.”

D.B. Bonds will play Emmett Forrest, Elle’s mild-mannered, Harvard-law-graduate-friend who stands by her when she is down and out. Bonds wouldn’t have wanted to play any other character, he said.

“It’s really a great balance for me,” Bonds said in a recent interview. “I get to be funny, sarcastic and goofy, which is sort of how I am in real life, so it’s a good fit for me as an actor.”

Born in Columbia, S.C., Bonds shed his Southern accent when he got into theater in grade school. Bonds has also appeared on Broadway and in national tours of “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,” “Les Miserables,” “The Phantom of the Opera” and “The Scarlet Pimpernel.”

Bonds is a believer in the benefit of the arts and theater on society, especially when the audience just wants to have a good time.

“I do really believe there’s a good message to the show that accomplishes a lot of things that kids and adults alike can enjoy,” Bonds said. “If you want to sit back and laugh for 2 1/2 hours, this is the show.”

Also in the cast are Jeff McLean as Warner Huntington III — Elle’s not-so-loyal boyfriend that chooses sweater vests over hot pink velour outfits — Natalie Joy Johnson as Paulette, Megan Lewis as Vivienne, Ken Land as Professor Callahan and Coleen Sexton as Brooke.

Fans of the MTV reality show “Legally Blonde: The Search for Elle Woods,” may also recognize two familiar faces in the cast, as the competitive reality show’s third runner-up, Rhiannon Hansen, will play Elle’s best friend Margot, and fourth runner-up Lauren Zakrin is a member of the ensemble.

And then there are the real show-stealers, Bruiser the chihuahua and Rufus the bulldog, played respectively by Frankie and China. Bruiser is Elle’s lovable Chihuahua, while Rufus is Paulette’s bulldog that she rescues from her neglectful ex-boyfriend.

The dogs’ trainer, Bill Berloni, taught them everything they know.

“I don’t force the dogs to work. I find out ways to get them to want to do it,” Berloni said recently. “They seem to enjoy it.”

The dogs don’t seem to be the only ones having a good time. According to Berloni, the cast gets along so well with the pooches that they hang out off stage, as well.

“Bonding is important. We have sleepovers and the dogs hang out in the actors’ hotels,” Berloni said. “Becky (Gulsvig) loves dogs, so that makes it easier on stage.”

And having fun both on and off the stage is exactly what “Legally Blonde: The Musical” is all about.



Alyssa Kramer is a freelance writer from Buffalo.



IF YOU GO

WHAT: “Legally Blonde: The Musical”

WHEN: Tuesday through Oct. 19

WHERE: Shea’s Performing Arts Center, 646 Main St., Buffalo

MORE INFORMATION: Visit sheas.org or call 847-1410

print this story  



Photos


Becky Gulsvig stars as Elle Woods in "Legally Blonde: The Musical." Contributed Photo/ (Click for larger image)

Zillow
monster
autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Featured Jobs

RNs
Spherion
Open Positions!
Retail Sales &
Cleaners Needed!
Meet Our Recruiter:
***Monday 7/6***...>MORE

In Bound Sales
In Bound Telesales!
Altitude Marketing is one of DISH Network’s top national retailers and has immediate FT positi
...>MORE

Occupational Therapist
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST. Full-time day position. NYS license and registration required. Send resume or apply: Employment ...>MORE

Application Developer
APPLICATION DEVELOPER, Niagara Falls, NY. At Cardinal Health, we're developing the innovative products and services that...>MORE

Siding Installer
SIDING Installer, light construction. Pay based on exp. Will train. Must have transp. 434-3430...>MORE

Accountant
Accountant
(Manufacturing)


Payroll/benefits reporting, cash receipts, accounts payable, GL mainten
...>MORE


TRUCK DRIVER: Local /OTR 200 mile radius. Must have dump trailer experience. 867-4663...>MORE

Housekeeping Aide
Housekeeping Aide. Day shift. Must be able to work a flexible schedule to include some week-ends and holidays. Dependabl...>MORE

Customer Service
Niagara Orleans Country Club is looking for part time help through October in club house. Some weekends required. Apply ...>MORE

Cook
COOKS, Servers, part time. Apply within Joe’s Hideaway, 2230 Cayuga Dr. Ext., Whtfld 990-1261...>MORE

See all ads

Feature Autos

1997 Ford Taurus GL
FORD 1997 Taurus GL, good condition, cold A/C, cruise, 1 owner, white. $1995 or BO. 990-6187....>MORE

Pontiac 2004 Grand prix GT
PONTIAC 2004 Grand Prix GT 4 door, good cond, $8000, 998-5596...>MORE

Chevrolet 2002 Cavalier
CHEVROLET 2002  CAVALIER    with 80,00 miles. Must see! Well maintained! Silver ext.,  Gray int.,  2DR,  Automatic,  Fro...>MORE

1994 Pontiac Sunbird
PONTIAC 1994 Sunbird conv. V6, EC in & out, red w/blk top, wht int., CD, real sharp. $2850. 523-7102...>MORE

Ford 1999 150
FORD 1999 150 pickup, good cond., tool box, bedliner, standard, $2500 or BO. 523-3653...>MORE

Audi 1988 A6 Sedan
Audi 1998 A6  Sedan  with 160k miles.  Charcoal ext.,  Tan int.,  4DR,  Automatic,  AWD,  6 Cylinder,  Gas  engine. Pow...>MORE

Ford 1993 Taurus
FORD 1993 Taurus, just inspected, runs good $900 or best offer,
284-0244
...>MORE

1950 Plymouth Custom
PLYMOUTH 1950 Custom, 4 dr, good shape, $1,500/BO. 795-0074...>MORE

2000 Chevy S-10
CHEVY 2000 S-10 pick up, 2.2L, 5 spd, ext cab, EC in & out, CD, cold AC, great gas mi. $2750. 523-7102...>MORE

Dodge 1996 Grand Caravan
Niagara Falls
2753 NIAGARA ST.
FRI. SAT.
9AM-4PM
oriental rug, old tools, antique car parts, toys,
...>MORE

See all ads

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index