Ogunquit Playhouse presents ‘Legally Blonde, the Musical’

Covered in pink and glitter, carrying a tiny dog in her purse, Elle Woods follows her heart from Malibu to Harvard Law School and finds her brain in “Legally Blonde, the Musical.”

It’s at the Ogunquit Playhouse, where hot pink lights set the tone, through Sept. 17. Even executive director Brad Kenney’s bowtie matched Elle’s signature color on opening night. “The Playhouse has gone pink!” he announced.

The award-winning Broadway musical is based on the movie of the same name and follows Elle Woods (Becky Gulsvig) from a sunny sorority to the hallowed halls of Harvard in pursuit of her boyfriend Warner (Matt Ragas), who is seeking someone more serious.

Gulsvig is reprising her role after two years in the first national tour of “Legally Blonde,” for which she received a Helen Hayes Award nomination. She plays Elle with a truly endearing youthful innocence and enthusiasm for life and love.   

On her way to the university, Elle considers going brunette, but her hair dresser, Paulette, helps her learn that “being true to yourself never goes out of style.” Sally Struthers returns to the Playhouse as Paulette with as much humor as heart. Best known for her part in the TV show “All in the Family,” Struthers is an Ogunquit favorite and she’s still got it.

At the law school, Elle encounters Professor Callahan, played by the Tony Award-winning actor Michael Rupert in the role he originated on Broadway and reprised on an MTV spinoff. Though the cut-throat professor is weary of her feathery pen and scented résumé, Elle impresses him with her instincts and resiliency.

Sure, it’s predictable, even without having seen the film. A girl chases a boy into a situation where she inadvertently improves herself, without compromising herself, and finds true love—which was, after all, her initial motivation. There are some surprises along the way, but the plot is not the point. The theater brings a new dynamic to any story, and this one is especially entertaining.

When Elle’s sorority sisters first take the stage with a high-pitched, high-energy song and dance, it’s hard to decipher every word, but that doesn’t stop the chorus from getting stuck in your head. “Oh. My. God. Oh, my god, you guys…” The sisters consistently back Elle and, by the triumphant conclusion, the actors awe the crowd with their talents.

This is true even though the entertainment value of valley girls was getting old even before the film came out in 2001. By now, the reality of a subculture of shallow and stupid kids who get by with their good looks and their parent’s money is just troubling. And yet, the musical production of “Legally Blonde” doesn’t leave the audience dwelling on all that. It’s fast-paced and fun and guests leave smiling.

In this case, laughing at the O.C. speak, the pop culture references and product placements, the stereotypes and even stereotyping, itself, are encouraged. Just like the Playhouse describes it, this is a “feel-good” musical.

The many sets and scenes are impressive and convincing, and though the cast didn’t always shift smoothly on opening night, the changes are quick. The musical takes the audience through a sorority, the mall, a restaurant, a hair salon, and across a university campus, all without pausing the action.

Much credit goes to leading men Ragas, as the status seeking Warner, and Barry Anderson, who plays young attorney Emmett. Both look the part and act it just as naturally. Elle’s strong-willed classmates and the unexpected addition of a fitness instructor (Coleen Sexton) and a UPS delivery man (Dan Lobuono) help to round out the cast.  

“Legally Blonde” was nominated for seven Tony Awards in 2007. It’s no longer on Broadway in the United States but won the Olivier Award for Best Musical this year in London. This production’s director is Marc Bruni, who was the associate director on Broadway and then with the touring troupes, as well as MTV’s “Search for Elle Woods.”

Choreographer Rusty Mowery has been part of “Legally Blonde” since its original workshop production in New York. Dance is one of the highlights of the show, with hip-hop inspired moves such as the irresistible “Bend and Snap.”  

Another fun part of the production is the inclusion of cute dogs, Frankie the Chihuahua and (of course) Chloe the Bulldog. The animals’ owner, Bill Berloni, was the 2011 recipient of a Tony Award for Excellence in Theatre, honoring his 30 years of rescuing and training shelter dogs.

The Ogunquit Playhouse is at 10 Main St., Ogunquit, Maine, 207-646-5511, www.ogunquitplayhouse.org. Ticket prices range from $53.50 to $76.50.