Oh my god! Oh my god, you guys, “Legally Blonde: The Musical” has officially taken the stage at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre.
Elle Woods, played by Zionsville native Olivia Broadwater, was a shining pink star at the center of the production. A recent graduate of Ball State, Broadwater’s confidence through a series of snappy costume changes highlighted Woods’ character and her as a performer.
Jacob Butler (Emmett) and Meagan Lewis-Michelson (Paulette) dazzled in their supportive roles. While the movie doesn’t get too much into their stories, the musical revealed their family history and how they found themselves in the life of Woods. Paulette’s story of her abusive ex and Emmett’s working-class background tugged at the heartstrings of the audience and created a tender moment in the otherwise flashy show.
Griffin Cole, who played Warner Huntington III, and Dani Kucera, who played Vivienne Kensington, embodied the snotty attitude of the elites they hoped to be. Jeff Stockberger (Professor Callahan) immersed himself into the anger that Callahan is known for, creating a perfect foil to the brightness of Woods.
In addition to the stand-out human cast, Daizy the toy poodle played Bruiser and Pugsley the 10-year-old English Bulldog played Rufus. By far the characters who received the most puppy-dog-eyes throughout the show, the two canine companions definitely put the “paws” in paws-itively great.
The costumes created an entire story themselves. The drab, beige monotony of the Harvard Law students’ clothing contrasted starkly against the bright pink sparkly outfits Woods wore. Her fluffiness was met with flat. Her pink pumps were met with brown leather loafers.
The costumes made Woods stand out both physically and emotionally as she entered Harvard Law. Warner’s wardrobe matched Vivien’s Kennedy-esque blacks and beiges and pointed out to the audience that they were more likely a match than Warner and Elle.
The show was packed full of detailed background scenery. The Delta Nu Sorority, Harvard Law School, the Beauty Shop where she meets Paulette, a department store, Woods’ dorm room, the courtroom and a bathroom crime scene were all featured throughout the show. Each room was flawlessly executed. Props were placed mindfully, and the spinning carousel of rooms was hardly noticeable to the naked eye.
The music was upbeat, kid-friendly and spunky. Characterized by complicated choreography that featured long dance sequences and prop work, the musical numbers had everyone bouncing and bobbing in their chairs. The musical numbers kept a balance between languid and jazzy, and the cast didn’t disappoint either.
Overall, “Legally Blonde: The Musical” was a spectacular showcase of talent on the Beef & Boards stage. Perfect for every walk of life, the musical centers around themes of love, female empowerment and finding one’s place.
The show will run from July 11 to August 25 and limited tickets are available at beefandboards.com. Be sure to get them soon so the next time someone asks, “O.M.G., you were able to see ‘Legally Blonde: The Musical’ at Beef & Boards?” You can say “What? Like it’s hard?”
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Contact Health & Environmental reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.
