A Rollicking Good Time with EDMT's Legally Blonde
A Review by Ken Kiunke
Staff Writer
El Dorado Musical Theater is presenting the musical comedy Legally Blonde, which was based on the novel and 2001 film starring Reese Witherspoon. This lighthearted show is an EDMT “Encore Production”, which means the entire cast had to pass an audition to be in the show, and it features the youth theater group's top performers. The cast of Legally Blonde are all 12 to 21 years old, and star many young veterans of local musical theater. But unlike many EDMT shows, it is geared toward a more mature audience, and is rated PG-13 due to the subject matter and some language.
Courtesy Photo: Legally Blonde cast
The story of Legally Blonde is of a beautiful, young, high performing college student at UCLA who thinks she has the dream life all set up for her. Her plans are shattered when her boyfriend, rather than make the expected marriage proposal, rejects her as not a serious enough partner for his ambitions as he prepares to leave for Harvard Law School. Rather than dismiss him as a shallow social and political climber, she decides to devote herself to getting into Harvard herself, thus proving to be worthy of his life and future. And thus the fish-out-of-water tale begins, and hijinks ensue...
Heather Clark stars as Elle Woods, the Southern California girl who loves pink clothes and her Chihuahua “Bruiser.” Clark, at 21, is the senior member of the cast, and has played in 30 prior EDMT shows. She has been a featured performer in many, notably as Grizzelda in Cats and Ado Annie in Oklahoma!, but Legally Blonde has given her the chance to step out front as the star of the show, and she handles the role very well. Her voice is strong and dynamic, and she is featured in nearly all of the musical numbers. Her soprano soars high with never an off note, and she interacts with her cast mates with good comic timing and expression. Courtesy Photo: Elle in Legally Blonde
The role of Emmett Forrest, Elle's eventual love interest, is played by Jonathan Cramner, one of the best leading men EDMT has ever had. He did a great job with roles such as Gaston in Beauty and the Beast and Curly in Oklahoma! with a terrific leading voice and stage presence. At only 17 he already shows star quality. An extra challenge came to him for the opening weekend of Legally Blonde, as a cold left him with a husky voice. He rose to the challenge, and did a terrific job with the dialog and singing, only struggling a bit in the high parts. He should be even better the remainder of the run with all his tools in place.
Also a standout performance, 16-year-old Jillian Curry played the part of hair stylist Paulette Bonafonte. Curry stunned the audience with her song “Ireland” late in the first act. It was a highlight of the show for her powerful vocal performance. She also did a great job of playing an older woman looking for a new lease on life. (Taylor Presnall brought cheers and whistles as Kyle, her UPS driver love interest.) Other EDMT regulars stood out as well.
Andrew Wilson did a great job as the cad Warner Huntington III, the guy who broke Elle's heart and leaves her for Vivienne, played by Kaileen Teter, another “bad guy” until she turns good. Elle's three best friends, who become her “Greek chorus”, are played by Olivia Kaufmann, Carly Speno, and Julia Adams, all who have done great work in prior shows, and kept the energy high whenever they appeared. Speno notably also came in for the fitness/jump roping scene and as a prison inmate. All three are great singers, interacting well with Elle and each other. And Alex Levy, who played three roles, along with being in the group scenes, is always a memorable personality, and can steal any scene, as he did in the courtroom drama part of the show.
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njie Rose Wilson, David Bryant, Micah Long, Zack Collins and the perennial Zach Wilson all stood out as well, and the rest of 
the cast filled in nicely, as there was never a lull in the action. (Zach has been in every EDMT show I have seen, and will no doubt soon break the record for appearances.) Rounding out the cast were two rescue dogs, Jagger Minnie, a nine-month-old Chihuahua who played Bruiser, Elle's pet, and Kiki King, a three-year-old Bulldog playing Rufus, Paulette's dog. Both handled their roles well, meaning they didn't run away or freak out when the audience applauded. They added the cuteness factor to the show, generating plenty of “ahhhhs” from the crowd.
Courtesy Photos: (L) Jagger playing Bruiser and Kiki (R) playing Rufus
Set designers Jordan Maxey and Stephen Wathen created a great environment for each scene, the jail scene being striking for its bold and minimal treatment. Costumer Christine Martorana did her usual great job, and Vocal Director Jennifer Wittmayer's efforts are shown in the terrific performances of the entire company. Of course credit for the whole look and feel of the show and cast, and the choreography as well, go to Director Debbie Wilson, who consistently produces great shows year after year (and many times a year!) since she helped found EDMT in 2001.
Legally Blonde opened February 15th and runs Thursdays through Sundays until March 3rd at Three Stages at Folsom Lake College. For tickets and more info, visit www.edmt.info or www.threestages.net The show is rated PG-13 due to some mature content and language, and suitable for teenagers and up. Tickets are $18-$28; Premium $36. On Thursday, Feb 21 Bargain Night $14.75 and can be purchased online at www.threestages.net or by calling The Three Stages Box Office at (916) 608-6888.
For information on how to enroll for auditions, become a sponsor, or for Playbill advertising, visit www.edmt.info or phone (916) 941-SING (7464). El Dorado Musical Theatre • 5011 golden foothill parkway, unit #4, El Dorado Hills, CA, 916-941-sing (7464) • fax 916-941-7465. Courtesy Photos by EDMT
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