reviewvancouver: Theatre Under the Stars - Legally Blonde The Musical, John Jane

On an evening that was just about perfect for watching live outdoor musical theatre, Theatre under the Stars opened its 2025 summer season with Legally Blonde the Musical. Ordinarily, one might expect Legally Blonde be a complete bust. With such hackneyed dialogue, a blatant feminist message, cardboard characters and a predictable narrative, how does the show seem to send so many of its audiences home happy? Well, the show is great fun and providing you can forget where you are and completely detach yourself from reality, it’s immensely enjoyable.

Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin’s songs are lively and infectious, though, with a few exceptions hardly memourable. The ensemble’s opening number,”Omigod, you Guys” is catchy and sets an upbeat tone for the rest of the show.

The lead character Elle Woods, is portrayed by a charismatic Abby Woodhouse. Audiences will recognize her immediately – she’s the one wearing pink! Through the two hour show, she evolves from a free-spirited fashionista to a hardworking law student. Ms. Woodhouse shows natural flair for physical comedy, and delivers ludicrously puerile lines without coming across as inane. Nothing Elle does is understated. She even pulls together a marching band and a bevy of cheerleaders to present her personal essay to the Harvard admittance panel.

Madeleine Suddaby manages to shine through the froth as the lovelorn Paulette who becomes Elle’s life coach. She is truly vivacious singing the ode to the Emerald Isle “Ireland.” I’m sure that I would have enjoyed seeing more of Angella Cody, who plays fitness guru Brooke Wyndham. She opens the second act with “Whipped into Shape” that highlights her singing and dancing talent. Cody looks gorgeous; however, the skipping rope sequence looks like it needs more rehearsal time from other cast members.

The men get short shrift in this show. However, Nathaniel Johnson somehow manages to get noticed as the supportive Emmett Forrest. In one of the better constructed songs, Emmett has a message for Elle that we all might listen to - that if you want to succeed you’ve got to have a “Chip on your Shoulder.”

Connor Hawkins has the toughest role in the show, playing the entitled, social-climbing Warner Huntington. To his credit, he does try to find the extra dimension to his character. Veteran actor Peter Jorgensen delivers a tongue-in-cheek performance (all things considered) in the minor role of Elle’s stern professor. If you would like to see Jorgensen’s directorial vision at work, take in the other TUTS production on alternative evenings.

Director Jayme Armstrong maintains an even pace, never letting the performance slip.. Brian Ball’s scenic designs are minimalist but are fit for purpose, leaving room on the stage for Lyndsey Britten’s sparkling choreography, executed flawlessly by Elle’s trio of sorority sisters.

Legally Blonde the Musical cheerfully pokes fun at stereotypes, it’s certainly not to be taken too seriously and in the context of light musical theatre, hardly considered offensive. Maybe it’s guilty of being too over-the-top and some of the visual jokes are dated. Although, it’s never less than a charming modern faerie-tale.