View source for Legally Blonde (musical)

{{Short description|2007 musical}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox Musical
| name = Legally Blonde
| image = LegallyBlondeTheMusical.jpg
| caption = Original [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] production
| music = {{ubl|[[Nell Benjamin]]|[[Laurence O'Keefe (composer)|Laurence O'Keefe]]}}
| lyrics = {{ubl|Nell Benjamin|Laurence O'Keefe}}
| book = [[Heather Hach]]
| basis = {{ubl|''[[Legally Blonde (novel)|Legally Blonde]]'' by [[Amanda Brown (novelist)|Amanda Brown]]|''[[Legally Blonde]]'' by [[Karen McCullah Lutz]] and [[Kirsten Smith (writer)|Kirsten Smith]]}}
| premiere_date = January 23, 2007
| premiere_location = [[Golden Gate Theatre]], [[San Francisco]]
| productions = {{ubl|2007 [[Golden Gate Theatre|San Francisco]]|2007 [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]]|2010 [[West End theatre|West End]]|
Various international/regional productions and tours}}
<!-- Please do not include production-specific (acting, directing, etc.) awards -->| awards = {{ubl|[[Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical]]|[[Helpmann Award for Best Musical]]}}
| image_size = 
}}

'''''Legally Blonde''''' is a 2007 [[musical theatre|musical]] with music and lyrics by [[Laurence O'Keefe (composer)|Laurence O'Keefe]] and [[Nell Benjamin]] and a [[Book (musical theatre)|book]] by [[Heather Hach]]. It is based on the novel ''[[Legally Blonde (novel)|Legally Blonde]]'' by [[Amanda Brown (novelist)|Amanda Brown]] and the [[Legally Blonde|2001 film of the same name]]. 

The show tells the story of [[Elle Woods]], a [[sorority]] girl who enrolls at [[Harvard Law School]] to win back her ex-boyfriend Warner. She discovers how her knowledge of the law can help others, and she successfully defends exercise queen Brooke Wyndham in a murder trial. Throughout the show, very few characters have faith in Elle, with the exception of her aesthetician Paulette, but she manages to surprise them when she defies expectations while staying true to herself.

''Legally Blonde'' premiered in pre-Broadway tryouts in [[San Francisco|San Francisco, California]]. In April 2007 the show moved to [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]], opening to mixed reviews and disappointing sales.<ref name="nytflop">{{cite web|last=Healy|first=Patrick|date=July 29, 2011|title=Flops on Broadway? Fix Them Overseas|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/31/theater/flop-broadway-musicals-find-life-overseas.html|access-date=February 25, 2013|website=The New York Times}}</ref> [[Jerry Mitchell]] directed and choreographed. The original cast starred [[Laura Bell Bundy]] as Elle, [[Christian Borle]] as Emmett, and [[Richard H. Blake]] as Warner. It received seven [[Tony Awards|Tony]] nominations and ten [[Drama Desk Award|Drama Desk]] nominations but did not win any. The [[West End theatre|West End]] production opened in January 2010 at the [[Savoy Theatre]]. The West End production was nominated for five [[Laurence Olivier Awards]] and won three, including the [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical|Best New Musical]] award.

The musical was recorded in September 2007 and aired on [[MTV]] in October 2007. Following this, a [[Legally Blonde: The Musical – The Search for Elle Woods|reality television program]] aired showing the audition process for the next person to play Elle Woods on Broadway. The winner was [[Bailey Hanks]], who played the role from July 23, 2008, until the production closed on October 19, 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hetrick|first=Adam|date=September 24, 2008|title=''Legally Blonde'' to Close on Broadway Oct. 19|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/legally-blonde-to-close-on-broadway-oct-19-com-153648|access-date=March 24, 2021|website=Playbill}}</ref>

==Plot==

===Act one===
The members of [[University of California, Los Angeles|UCLA]]'s sorority Delta Nu congratulate their president, [[Elle Woods]]; Elle is expecting her boyfriend, Warner Huntington III, to propose marriage to her later that night. Led by Margot, Serena, and Pilar, the girls help Elle find the perfect dress for the occasion ("Omigod You Guys"). However, when Elle goes on her dinner date with Warner, he tells her that he needs to date someone more "serious" to boost his reputation and achieve his dream of becoming a [[United States Senate|Senator]], and breaks up with her ("Serious").

Elle is devastated and stays in her room for twelve days ("Daughter of Delta Nu"), but decides to follow Warner to [[Harvard Law School]] to prove that she can be serious. With help from her Delta Nu sister Kate, Elle studies for the [[Law School Admission Test|LSAT]]. Instead of writing a personal essay, Elle bursts into the Harvard admission offices backed up by a squad of cheerleaders and frat boys. She is accepted after revealing she is motivated by love ("What You Want").

At Harvard, Elle's highly-achieved classmates disapprove of her attire and personality, and the only person who is willing to help her is teaching assistant Emmett Forrest ("The Harvard Variations"). Following a suggestion from Elle's classmate, Vivienne Kensington, the conniving Professor Callahan kicks Elle out of his class because she did not read the case he assigned, and Emmett is unable to help her ("Blood in the Water"). Afterwards, Elle finds out that Vivienne is Warner's new girlfriend. This "tragedy" summons the apparitions of the sisters of Delta Nu who, acting as a [[Greek chorus]] visible and audible only to Elle, encourage her to stay positive ("Positive").

Elle, believing that being blonde is the problem, decides to become a brunette. At the nearby Hair Affair salon, Elle meets beautician and Hair Affair owner, Paulette Buonufonte. Paulette tells Elle that all bad hair decisions are motivated by love and reveals her dreams of meeting a handsome Irishman. Paulette encourages Elle not to give up or downplay her personal qualities ("Ireland"). At the salon, Vivienne, who is discussing a party planned for next Friday, unexpectedly gives Elle an invitation, telling her it is a costume party. Paulette gives Elle a costume for the party and more words of encouragement ("Ireland (Reprise)").

Walking into the party dressed as a [[Playboy Bunny]], Elle soon realizes that she was tricked by Vivienne, as no one else is wearing a costume. Despite this, she still seeks out Warner in an effort to win him back, but he remains unimpressed, only caring about her looks ("Serious (Reprise)"). Elle runs from the party, only to meet Emmett, who struggles to understand Elle's romantic problems. Emmett helps Elle assess her priorities, and she realizes her obsession with Warner is preventing her from gaining his respect. Freed from her need to please Warner, she defeats him in a classroom debate ("Chip On My Shoulder"). Elle helps Paulette get custody of her dog back from her ex-boyfriend, using legal jargon and demonstrating that she is beginning to understand law ("Run Rufus Run / Elle Reflects").

Warner, Vivienne, and Enid win three of Callahan's four coveted internship positions. Warner proposes to Vivienne on the spot in front of Elle, and Vivienne accepts. Elle is devastated, but Emmett shows her the internship list, revealing Elle got an internship position as well. Elle realizes that she does not need a man to feel accepted in the world, and that all she needs is to believe in herself. Overjoyed, she celebrates, and eagerly anticipates the trial ("So Much Better").

===Act two===
Callahan, Elle, Emmett, Vivienne, Warner, and Enid watch a workout video made by fitness queen Brooke Wyndham and her fitness team, while Callahan tells the legal team that Brooke is accused of murdering her billionaire husband ("Whipped Into Shape"). At the jail, the legal team is unable to get Brooke to tell them her alibi and she refuses to plead guilty. Upon learning that they were both Delta Nu members ("Delta Nu Nu Nu"), Brooke then privately tells Elle her alibi; Brooke was getting [[liposuction]], and she believes revealing the truth could ruin her reputation as a fitness guru. Brooke makes Elle promise not to tell anyone. Because of Elle's loyalty to her client and refusal to state the alibi, both Elle and, consequently, Emmett, are shunned by the group. To cheer Emmett up and to increase his chances of impressing Callahan, Elle gives him a makeover ("Take It Like a Man").

Back at the salon, Elle is getting a manicure when Kyle, a sexy [[United Parcel Service|UPS]] courier, walks into the salon to deliver a package to Paulette. Paulette is in awe of Kyle, but her low self-confidence prevents her from making a move. When he leaves, Pilar, Serena, and Margot are summoned by Paulette's amazing "Bend and Snap" when picking up the package. The sorority girls tell Paulette to use the "Bend and Snap" dance move on Kyle to turn him on, but when she does, she accidentally breaks his nose ("Bend and Snap").

At the trial, Brooke's pool boy Nikos claims to have been having an affair with Brooke, giving her a motive for murdering her husband. After doing the "Bend and Snap" in front of Nikos and getting no response, Elle suspects that Nikos is gay. With the exception of Brooke, Elle's teammates and Callahan are not convinced and debate whether his perceived flamboyance is because he is homosexual or because he is European. Emmett successfully makes Nikos slip and state that his boyfriend's name is Carlos, although Nikos claims that he misunderstood "boyfriend" for "best friend". Carlos, fed up with the closeted nature of his gay boyfriend, appears from the gallery and proclaims Nikos's homosexuality. Nikos confesses that he is indeed gay and European ("There! Right There!").

Later that night in Callahan's office, the interns celebrate Elle's skill. Callahan dismisses Emmett and the other interns but requests Elle to remain for a few moments. After telling Elle she has instincts, Callahan forcibly kisses her, leading her to slap him. Warner and Vivienne both see the kiss through the door, but only Vivienne sees the slap. Elle asks Callahan if he only gave her the internship because he wanted to seduce her. Callahan fires Elle. After Callahan leaves, Warner re-enters the office and mocks Elle for allegedly sleeping with Callahan, but Vivienne tells him to shut up and they both leave. Elle becomes distraught and prepares to go home, and tells Emmett what Callahan did. Emmett asks her to stay, finally admitting his love for her ("Legally Blonde").

Elle heads to the Hair Affair to say goodbye to Paulette, but before she can leave, Vivienne and Enid convince Elle otherwise. Elle discards her lawyerly navy suit, dons a pink dress and leads a parade back to the courtroom. They meet Kyle on the way, who has taken a liking to Paulette, and reveals himself to be Irish, prompting everyone present to [[Irish dance]]. Back at the trial, Brooke fires Callahan and hires Elle ("Legally Blonde Remix"). Brooke's stepdaughter Chutney goes to the witness stand and her testimony is damning, stating after she got out of the shower she saw Brooke covered in her father's blood. After Chutney states she received a perm the day of the murder, Elle realizes a flaw in Chutney's alibi and suggests that the entire court should be moved to the scene of the crime—the bathroom where the murder took place ("Scene of the Crime"). 

As a demonstration, Elle asks Paulette to give Enid a perm and asks Enid to step into the shower upon entering the crime scene. Relying on her knowledge of hair maintenance, Elle's demonstration is successful as Enid walks out of the shower with completely flattened hair, revealing that Chutney could not have possibly showered immediately after getting a perm because her perm was still intact. Under Elle's intense questioning, Chutney confesses that she killed her father, thinking that she was killing Brooke. Chutney is arrested and Brooke is set free. Brooke accidentally admits she had liposuction, but doesn't lose any fans ("Omigod You Guys (Reprise)").

Warner proposes to Elle, having been dumped by Vivienne. Elle gently refuses, claiming to have been changed by the experience. Three years later, Elle ends up as the [[valedictorian]] of her class. Paulette tells the audience that Elle is not one to brag about her valedictorian status, so she decided to allow Paulette to play "Where Are They Now" during her speech. Paulette says that Enid practices family law, Vivienne is training for the [[Peace Corps]], and Warner dropped out to pursue a modeling career. Callahan ran for governor but was defeated, and his wife hired Emmett to handle their divorce. Paulette married Kyle, had two kids and is pregnant with a third. They live in [[Worcester, Massachusetts]] (Later replaced with their third child being named Seamus), and Paulette bought a new salon ("Find My Way"). At the end of the graduation, Elle proposes to Emmett, who happily accepts ("Finale").

==Musical numbers==
{{col-begin}}
† - Not featured on Original Broadway Cast Recording
=== Act I ===
* "Omigod You Guys" – Elle, Serena, Margot, Pilar, Salesgirls, and Delta Nus
* "Serious" – Warner and Elle
* "Daughter of Delta Nu" – Serena, Margot, Pilar and Delta Nus †
* "What You Want" – Elle, Serena, Margot, Pilar, Kate, Elle's Parents, Grandmaster Chad and Company
* "The Harvard Variations" – Emmett, Aaron, Enid, Padamadan, Warner and Harvard Students
* "Blood in the Water" – Callahan, Chad, Enid, Elle, Vivienne and Harvard Students
* "Positive" – Elle, Serena, Margot, Pilar and [[Greek Chorus]]
* "Ireland" – Paulette
* "Ireland" (Reprise) – Paulette
* "Serious" (Reprise) – Elle and Warner
* "Chip On My Shoulder" – Elle, Emmett, Greek Chorus
* "Run Rufus Run/Elle Reflects"- Elle, Emmett †
* "So Much Better" – Elle, Greek Chorus and Company
=== Act II ===
* "Whipped into Shape" – Brooke, Callahan and Company
* "Delta Nu Nu Nu" – Elle and Brooke †
* "Take It Like a Man" – Elle, Emmett and Salespeople
* "Bend and Snap" – Elle, Paulette, Serena, Margot, Pilar, hairdressers, Kyle, and Company
* "There! Right There!" – Elle, Callahan, Emmett, Brooke, Vivienne, Warner, Enid, Judge, Nikos, Carlos and Company
* "Legally Blonde" – Elle and Emmett
* "Legally Blonde Remix" – Vivienne, Elle, Paulette, Kyle, Enid, Elle's Parents, Margot, Serena, Pilar, Brooke and Company
* "Scene of the Crime" – Elle, Judge, Serena, Margot, Pilar and Company †
* "Omigod You Guys (Reprise)" – Elle, Brooke, Margot, Serena, Pilar, Judge, and Company †
* "Find My Way/Finale" – Elle, Paulette, Emmett and Company
{{col-end}}
During its [[San Francisco]] run, the musical included a song called "Love and War", but during its transfer to Broadway, the song was reworked into what is now "Positive".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Harvey|first=Dennis|date=2007-02-08|title=Legally Blonde|url=https://variety.com/2007/legit/markets-festivals/legally-blonde-4-1200510532/|access-date=2021-03-24|website=Variety}}</ref> Another predecessor to "Positive" was "Beacon of Positivity".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Beacon of Positivity|url=https://castalbums.org/songs/Beacon-of-Positivity/30436|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080101143812/http://www.castalbums.org/songs/30436|archive-date=January 1, 2008|access-date=December 30, 2009|website=Cast Albums}}</ref>

During the workshop stage, the song "Good Boy" existed in place of what would later become "Ireland" in the musical.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Good Boy|url=https://castalbums.org/songs/Good-Boy/30438|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080101143822/http://www.castalbums.org/songs/30438|archive-date=January 1, 2008|access-date=December 30, 2009|website=Cast Albums}}</ref> In "Good Boy", Paulette and Elle bond over the idea that men are like dogs and should therefore be treated as such.

"Kyle the Magnificent" and "Bows" are featured as digital bonus tracks of the live London cast recording. "Kyle the Magnificent" is also a hidden track on the Broadway cast recording at the end of "Find My Way/Finale".

==Instrumentation==
The licensed orchestration follows the orchestration that was used in the West End production: three keyboards, bass, guitar, drums, percussion, two woodwind parts, two trumpets, trombone, and solo violin. The first keyboard part is played by the conductor. The bass part doubles on electric bass, double bass, fretless bass, and 5-string bass. The guitar doubles on electric, acoustic, nylon-string, Hollow Body archtop and 12-string guitars, as well as mandolin. The first woodwind part doubles on alto sax, flute, piccolo, clarinet, oboe (optional), and English horn (optional); the second part doubles on flute, clarinet, and baritone sax. Both trumpets double on flugelhorn and the trombone doubles on tenor and bass trombones.

This orchestration was originally used for the first United States national tour, without the violin and with slightly different reed doublings. The first reed player doubled on alto sax, clarinet, flute, piccolo, oboe (optional), and English horn (optional); the second player doubled on flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, tenor and baritone sax, and pennywhistle.

In addition to the licensed orchestration, the original Broadway production also had a French horn part, a viola and cello part, a second guitar, and had three woodwind parts instead of two. The first reed part doubled on alto sax, clarinet, flute, piccolo, and pennywhistle; the second part doubled on clarinet, flute, oboe, English horn, and tenor sax; the third doubled on flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon, and baritone sax. The percussion book uses both pitched and unpitched percussion.

==Production history==
===Broadway (2007–2008)===
[[File:Palace-theatre-nyc.jpg|thumb|left|At the [[Palace Theatre (New York City)|Palace Theatre]]]]
Before going to Broadway, ''Legally Blonde'' did a short tryout at [[San Francisco]]'s [[Golden Gate Theatre]] from January 23 to February 25, 2007, with an official opening on February 6.<ref>{{cite web|title=Season History 2007|url=https://www.shnsf.com/Online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent::loadArticle=Load&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::article_id=CA91E478-0E2B-409F-99E2-06943878C024|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171015061747/https://www.shnsf.com/Online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent::loadArticle=Load&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::article_id=CA91E478-0E2B-409F-99E2-06943878C024|archive-date=15 October 2017|access-date=1 May 2018|website=shnsf.com}}</ref> ''Legally Blonde'' later opened on Broadway at the [[Palace Theatre (New York City)|Palace Theatre]] on April 29, 2007, following previews which began on April 3. The production was directed and choreographed by [[Jerry Mitchell]], with set design by [[David Rockwell]], costume design by [[Gregg Barnes]], sound design by Acme Sound Partners, and lighting design by [[Kenneth Posner]] and Paul Miller. The original Broadway cast included [[Laura Bell Bundy]] in the lead role of [[Elle Woods]] and featured [[Christian Borle]], [[Orfeh]], and [[Michael Rupert]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Pincis-Roth|first=Zachary|date=2007-02-24|title=''Legally Blonde'' Ends San Francisco Run Feb. 24; Broadway Next|work=Playbill|url=https://www.playbill.com/article/legally-blonde-ends-san-francisco-run-feb-24-broadway-next-com-138757|access-date=March 24, 2021}}</ref> The show received mixed reviews and was nominated for seven [[Tony Awards]], including [[Tony Award for Best Original Score|Best Original Score]] and [[Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical|Best Leading Actress in a Musical]], but did not win any.<ref name="Tony Awards">{{cite web|title=Nominated Shows|url=http://www.tonyawards.com/en_US/nominees/shows/200705141179158911679.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080410020106/http://www.tonyawards.com/en_US/nominees/shows/200705141179158911679.html|archive-date=April 10, 2008|access-date=2010-02-17|website=Tony Awards}}</ref>

The musical was filmed for television in front of a live audience on September 18, 2007, as well as two other dates where it was filmed without an audience. The three performances edited together were broadcast on [[MTV]] hosted by [[Audrina Patridge]], [[Lauren Conrad]], and [[Whitney Port]] on October 13 and 14, 2007, with subsequent air dates on November 3 and 14, 2007.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hernandez|first1=Erino|last2=Hetrick|first2=Adam|date=2007-09-26|title=MTV Premiere of ''Legally Blonde — The Musical'' Moved to October|work=Playbill|url=https://www.playbill.com/article/mtv-premiere-of-legally-blonde-the-musical-moved-to-october-com-144030|access-date=March 24, 2021}}</ref> MTV's involvement with the musical continued with a reality show program called ''[[Legally Blonde: The Musical – The Search for Elle Woods]]'', which aimed to cast the next actress to play Elle Woods on Broadway, replacing Laura Bell Bundy. The show was hosted by [[Haylie Duff]] and premiered on June 2, 2008, on MTV.<ref name="RealityShowCasting">{{cite news|last=Hetrick|first=Adam|date=2008-05-02|title="Whipped into Shape": ''Legally Blonde'' MTV Reality Show to Debut June 2; Duff Hosts|work=Playbill|url=https://www.playbill.com/article/whipped-into-shape-legally-blonde-mtv-reality-show-to-debut-june-2-duff-hosts-com-149753|access-date=March 24, 2021}}</ref> The show ran for eight episodes. The focus was on the preparation and coaching of the contestants, as well as the auditions themselves. The competition was won by [[Bailey Hanks]], age 20, from Anderson, [[South Carolina]].<ref name="PlaybillBailey">{{cite web|last=Hetrick|first=Adam|date=2008-07-21|title=Omigod! Bailey is New Star of Broadway's ''Legally Blonde''; Three Finalists Also Land Roles|url=https://www.playbill.com/article/omigod-bailey-is-new-star-of-broadways-legally-blonde-three-finalists-also-land-roles-com-151812|access-date=March 24, 2021|website=Playbill}}</ref> The results were first aired on July 21, 2008, on MTV,<ref name="SoMuchBetterSingle">{{cite web|last=Hetrick|first=Adam|date=2008-07-14|title=Broadway's Next Elle Woods Will Get a Single of "So Much Better" July 22|url=https://www.playbill.com/article/broadways-next-elle-woods-will-get-a-single-of-so-much-better-july-22-com-151594|access-date=March 24, 2021|website=Playbill}}</ref> and Hanks's debut as Elle Woods was on July 23.<ref name="PlaybillBailey"/> The runner-up, [[Autumn Hurlbert]], also debuted on Broadway in this show as a sorority sister in Delta Nu, as well as serving as Hanks's understudy.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Legally Blonde – Broadway Musical|url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/legally-blonde-423552|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080704093111/http://www.ibdb.com/production.asp?id=423552|archive-date=July 4, 2008|access-date=February 17, 2010|website=IBDB}}</ref>

The production closed on October 19, 2008, after playing 30 previews and 595 regular performances. The run was considered a financial disappointment<ref name="nytflop"/> and failed to fully recoup its investment.<ref>{{cite web|last=Jones|first=Chris|date=February 27, 2009|title='Legally Blonde' makes its case|url=https://variety.com/2009/legit/news/legally-blonde-makes-its-case-1118000675/|access-date=February 25, 2019|website=Variety}}</ref>

===North American tours===
The first national tour started on September 23, 2008.<ref name="tour">{{cite news|last=Hernandez|first=Ernio|date=2008-10-15|title=Photo Call: ''Legally Blonde'' Musical Tours America|work=Playbill|url=https://www.playbill.com/article/photo-call-legally-blondemusical-tours-america-com-154219|access-date=March 24, 2021}}</ref> [[Becky Gulsvig]], who appeared in the ensemble of the original Broadway cast and understudied the role of Elle Woods, was featured as Elle Woods.<ref name="GulsvigTour">{{cite news|last=Hetrick|first=Adam|date=2008-05-01|title=Harvard Variations: Gulsvig Will Lead ''Legally Blonde'' National Tour|work=Playbill|url=https://www.playbill.com/article/harvard-variations-gulsvig-will-lead-legally-blonde-national-tour-com-149728|access-date=March 24, 2021}}</ref> [[Lauren Zakrin|Lauren Ashley Zakrin]] and Rhiannon Hansen, both finalists of the MTV reality show, appeared in the national tour.<ref name="tour"/> The original tour closed on August 10, 2010, in [[Vienna, Virginia]], at the [[Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts]].

The first non-[[Actors' Equity Association|Equity]] tour launched in [[Jackson, Mississippi|Jackson]], [[Mississippi]], on September 21, 2010. [[Nikki Bohne]] led the cast as Elle Woods, with [[Kahlil Joseph]] as Professor Callahan.<ref>[http://www.neilsemer.com/mt.html Neil Semer] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090916090402/http://www.neilsemer.com/mt.html |date=September 16, 2009 }}</ref> The tour closed on May 15, 2011, at the [[Shubert Theatre (New Haven)|Shubert Theatre]] in [[New Haven]], [[Connecticut]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hetrick|first=Adam|date=September 21, 2010|title=''Legally Blonde The Musical'' Tour Reopens Sept. 21|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/legally-blonde-the-musical-tour-reopens-sept-21-com-171978|access-date=2021-03-24|website=Playbill}}</ref>

===West End (2010–2012)===
[[File:Savoy Theatre.001 - London.jpg|thumb|At the [[Savoy Theatre]]]]
The [[West End theatre|West End]] production opened at the [[Savoy Theatre]] on January 13, 2010, following previews from December 5, 2009.<ref>Paddock, Terri.[http://www.whatsonstage.com/index.php?pg=207&story=E8831238072469&title=Legally+Blonde+Sets+UK+Premiere+for+Savoy%2C+5+Dec "Legally Blonde Sets UK Premiere for Savoy, 5 Dec"]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090403144543/http://www.whatsonstage.com/index.php?pg=207&story=E8831238072469&title=Legally%20Blonde%20Sets%20UK%20Premiere%20for%20Savoy%2C%205%20Dec |date=April 3, 2009 }}, whatsonstage.com, April 1, 2009</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last1=Shenton|first1=Mark|last2=Jones|first2=Kenneth|date=January 13, 2010|title=Elle Is For London: ''Legally Blonde The Musical'' Opens in West End Jan. 13|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/elle-is-for-london-legally-blonde-the-musical-opens-in-west-end-jan-13-com-164897|access-date=2021-03-24|website=Playbill}}</ref> The original London cast included [[Sheridan Smith]] in the lead role of [[Elle Woods]], with [[Duncan James]], [[Alex Gaumond]], [[Jill Halfpenny]] and [[Peter Davison]].<ref name="whatsonstage09-10">{{cite news|last=Paddock|first=Terry|date=2009-09-10|title=Davison & Halfpenny Go Blonde with Final Casting|work=WhatsOnStage|url=http://www.whatsonstage.com/news/theatre/london/E8831252574345/|url-status=dead|access-date=2009-12-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616101643/http://www.whatsonstage.com/news/theatre/london/E8831252574345/|archive-date=2011-06-16}}</ref> In the London production, the lyrics to "Ireland" were changed.<ref name="ireland">{{cite news|last=Hetrick|first=Adam|date=2010-05-24|title=''Legally Blonde'''s 'Ireland' Gets New Lyrics|work=Playbill|url=https://www.playbill.com/article/legally-blondes-ireland-gets-new-lyrics-com-191204|access-date=March 24, 2021}}</ref>

In October 2009, [[Sheridan Smith]], with other cast members, recorded a pop video to the song "So Much Better".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legallyblondethemusical.co.uk/funstuff/index.php|title=Video Gallery|website=legallyblondethemusical.co.uk|access-date=1 May 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100309053543/http://www.legallyblondethemusical.co.uk/funstuff/index.php|archive-date=9 March 2010}}</ref> The West End cast of ''Legally Blonde'' performed a medley from the show at the [[BBC Television Centre]] on November 19, 2009, during the ''[[Children in Need]]'' telethon.<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 21, 2009|title=VIDEO: West End's LEGALLY BLONDE - Children In Need Performance|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/STAGE-TUBE-West-Ends-LEGALLY-BLONDE-Children-In-Need-Performance-20091121|access-date=2021-03-24|website=BroadwayWorld}}</ref>

''Legally Blonde'' was the first West End show to offer a ticket lottery. The trend is popular on Broadway but had never been used for a West End production.<ref>{{cite news|date=2009-12-16|title=West End's LEGALLY BLONDE Institutes First Ever West End Ticket Lottery|work=BroadwayWorld|url=http://westend.broadwayworld.com/article/West_Ends_LEGALLY_BLONDE_Institutes_First_Ever_West_End_Ticket_Lottery_20091216|url-status=live|access-date=2009-12-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708095243/http://westend.broadwayworld.com/article/West_Ends_LEGALLY_BLONDE_Institutes_First_Ever_West_End_Ticket_Lottery_20091216|archive-date=2011-07-08}}</ref> The show had taken £2 million in advance sales before it officially opened.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Jury|first1=Louise|last2=Foster|first2=Alistair|date=2009-12-22|title=Legally Blonde proves a box office bombshell|work=This is London|url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/showbiz/article-23787180-legally-blonde-proves-a-box-office-bombshell.do|url-status=dead|access-date=2010-02-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091225193149/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/showbiz/article-23787180-legally-blonde-proves-a-box-office-bombshell.do|archive-date=December 25, 2009}}</ref> It extended its booking period from the earlier date of October 2011 until March 31, 2012.

[[Susan McFadden]] replaced [[Sheridan Smith]] as Elle on January 10, 2011. McFadden was later replaced by [[Carley Stenson]] on July 11, 2011. Other notable replacements included [[Richard Fleeshman]] and [[Ben Freeman]] as Warner, [[Denise van Outen]] and [[Natalie Casey]] as Paulette, [[Lee Mead]] and [[Stephen Ashfield]] as Emmett, [[Carley Stenson]] as Margot, and [[Siobhan Dillon]] as Vivienne.<ref>{{cite news|date=2010-07-24|title=Siobhan Dillon To Join LEGALLY BLONDE In September|work=BroadwayWorld|url=http://westend.broadwayworld.com/article/Siobhan_Dillon_To_Join_LEGALLY_BLONDE_In_September_20100724|url-status=live|access-date=2009-07-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100729001705/http://westend.broadwayworld.com/article/Siobhan_Dillon_To_Join_LEGALLY_BLONDE_In_September_20100724|archive-date=2010-07-29}}</ref>

The West End show won three [[Laurence Olivier Awards]] on March 13, 2011: [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical|Best New Musical]], [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical|Best Actress in a Musical]] ([[Sheridan Smith]]), and [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical|Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical]] ([[Jill Halfpenny]]).

The show closed in London on April 7, 2012,<ref>{{Cite web|date=January 26, 2012|title=Legally leaves London|url=https://officiallondontheatre.com/news/legally-leaves-london-120299/|access-date=2021-03-24|website=Official London Theatre|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=April 7, 2012|title=LEGALLY BLONDE Ends West End Run Tonight|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/LEGALLY-BLONDE-Ends-West-End-Run-Tonight-20120407|access-date=2021-03-24|website=BroadwayWorld}}</ref> after 974 performances, significantly more than it played on Broadway.

===First UK tour (2011–2012)===
The first UK tour began on July 8, 2011, at the [[Liverpool Empire Theatre]]. The cast included [[Faye Brookes|Faye Brooks]] as Elle, [[Dave Willetts]] as Professor Callahan, and [[Iwan Lewis]] as Emmett. [[Liz McClarnon]] initially played Paulette, followed by [[Claire Sweeney]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 11, 2011|title=Claire Sweeney to Play Paulette in LEGALLY BLONDE Tour|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/Claire-Sweeney-to-Play-Paulette-in-LEGALLY-BLONDE-Tour-20110711|access-date=2021-03-24|website=BroadwayWorld}}</ref>

Following Willets, Professor Callahan was played by [[Matthew Kelly]], and later [[Les Dennis]], alongside [[Niki Evans]] as Paulette. [[Amy Lennox]] covered as Elle for the Aberdeen run of the tour, with [[Stephen Ashfield]] briefly reprising his role as Emmett just weeks after leaving the show in London. On July 17, 2012, [[Jennifer Ellison]] replaced Niki Evans as Paulette, and [[Gareth Gates]] replaced Ray Quinn as Warner.

The final show of the UK tour was performed at the [[New Wimbledon Theatre]] on October 6, 2012.

===Curve Theatre Leicester (2016)===
In April and May 2016, a production was presented at the [[Curve (theatre)|Curve Theatre]], Leicester. The cast included [[The X Factor (British TV series)|X-Factor]] finalist [[Lucie Jones]] cast as Elle Woods, [[Ian Kelsey]] as Callahan, [[Tupele Dorgu]] as Paulette, [[Jon Robyns]] as Emmett, and [[Danny Mac]] as Warner.

=== Second UK tour (2017–2018) ===
Throughout 2017 and 2018, the second national UK tour of Legally Blonde performed with a new cast. The first performance was at the [[Churchill Theatre]] from September 14 to 23, 2017, and its final performance was at the [[Palace Theatre, Manchester|Palace Theatre]] on June 30, 2018. The cast included [[Lucie Jones]] as Elle Woods, David Barret as Emmet, Liam Doyle as Warner, Rita Simons as Paulette, Helen Petrovna as Brooke, and Laura Harrison as Vivienne.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Legally Blonde the Musical UK Tour 2017-2018, starring Lucie Jones|url=https://www.legallyblondethemusical.com/uk-tour-2017/|access-date=2020-12-10|website=Legally Blonde The Musical|date=May 11, 2017 |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Regent's Park Open Air Theatre (2022) ===
A production directed by [[Lucy Moss]] and choreographed by Ellen Kane ran at London's [[Regent's Park Open Air Theatre]] from 13 May to 2 July 2022, <ref>{{Cite web|last=Darvill|first=Josh|date=2021-11-15|title=Legally Blonde musical to run at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre in 2022|url=https://stagechat.co.uk/news/west-end/27997-legally-blonde-musical-to-run-at-regents-park-open-air-theatre-in-2022.html|access-date=2021-11-15|website=Stage Chat|language=en}}</ref> starring [[Courtney Bowman]] as Elle, [[Michael Ahomka-Lindsay]] as Emmett, [[Lauren Drew]] as Brooke, Vanessa Fisher as Vivienne, [[Iz Hesketh]] as Margot, Nadine Higgin as Paulette, Alžbeta Matyšáková as Enid, Eugene McCoy as Callahan, [[Grace Mouat]] as Pilar, Alistair Toovey as Warner, and Hannah Yun Chamberlain as Serena.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Gans |first1=Andrew |last2=Putnam |first2=Leah |date=April 1, 2022 |title=Cast Complete for Regent's Park's Legally Blonde, Starring Six's Courtney Bowman |work=Playbill |url=https://www.playbill.com/article/cast-complete-for-regents-parks-legally-blonde-starring-sixs-courtney-bowman |access-date=2022-04-19}}</ref> Hesketh was the first Trans Non-Binary Person to play Margot and Matyšáková was the first Trans Non-Binary person to play Enid in a professional production of the show, with the character of Enid having been changed to match Matyšáková Non-Binary identity.
This production received mixed to negative reviews, with The Times awarding just two stars out of five and [[Quentin Letts]] remarking that "Moss’s direction fails to create a contrast" between variety and condescension.

===International productions===
[[File:Legally Blonde The Musical (8008138248).jpg|thumb|[[Lucy Durack]] as Elle Woods in 2012]]
''Legally Blonde'' has had international productions in [[South Korea]],<ref name="koreatimes">{{cite news|last=Ah-young|first=Chung|date=2009-09-16|title=Legally Blonde Sparkles With Starry Cast|work=The Korea Times|publisher=koreatimes|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2009/12/145_51953.html|url-status=live|access-date=2009-12-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623160556/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2009/12/145_51953.html|archive-date=2011-06-23}}</ref> [[China]], [[Malaysia]], [[Japan]], the [[Netherlands]],<ref>[https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=nl&u=http://www.musicalworld.nl/actueel/roy_van_iersel_wordt_warner_in_legally_blonde/&ei=cFPMS4DDMMP7lwfX4YmzBg&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CCEQ7gEwBA&prev=/search%3Fq%3D%2522Martin%2BMichel%2522%2B%2522Legally%2BBlonde%2B%2522%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D "Roy van Iersel is Warner in Legally Blonde"] musicalworld.nl(google.com.translate), January 26, 2010, retrieved April 18, 2010</ref> the [[Philippines]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Legally Blonde Philippine Musical|url=http://celebritypulp.com/legally-blonde-philippine-musical/|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100708233038/http://celebritypulp.com/legally-blonde-philippine-musical/|archive-date=July 8, 2010|website=CelebrityPulp.com}}</ref> [[Sweden]], [[Finland]], [[Austria]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=VBW ergattern Rechte für Erfolgsmusical NATÜRLICH BLOND'|url=http://www.musicalvienna.at/index.php/de/aktuelles/article/106496|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501064545/http://www.musicalvienna.at/index.php/de/aktuelles/article/106496|archive-date=May 1, 2012|website=Musical Vienna|language=de}}</ref> [[Dominican Republic]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=Soto|first=Claudia Fernández|date=2013-07-21|title=Legally Blonde: feminidad en escena|url=https://listindiario.com/entretenimiento/2013/07/21/285233/legally-blonde-feminidad-en-escena|access-date=2021-03-24|website=Listin Diario|language=es}}</ref><ref name="Periodico Hoy">{{cite news|last=Ramos|first=Jorge|date=January 16, 2014|title=La Lista de Nominados a Premios Soberano 2014|work=Periodico Hoy|url=http://www.hoy.com.do/la-lista-de-nominados-a-premios-soberano-2014/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140128101033/http://hoy.com.do/la-lista-de-nominados-a-premios-soberano-2014/|archive-date=2014-01-28}}</ref> [[Panama]],{{Citation needed|date=April 2017}} [[New Zealand]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Legally Blonde The Musical|url=https://courttheatre.org.nz/show/legally-blonde-the-musical/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027191944/https://courttheatre.org.nz/show/legally-blonde-the-musical/|archive-date=2016-10-27|access-date=2016-10-27|website=The Court Theatre}}</ref> [[Germany]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=2018 Natürlich blond|url=https://www.tufa-musical.de/vergangene-projekte/2018-natürlich-blond/|website=tufa-musical.de|language=de}}</ref> [[Indonesia]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tfr.news/berita/id/jpac-gelar-legally-blonde-the-musical|title=JPAC gelar teater musikal "Legally Blonde", bawa kisah Elle Woods ke atas panggung|date=14 November 2023|accessdate=27 November 2023|work=The Finery Report}}</ref> and [[Belgium]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Legally Blonde eindelijk in de zalen|url=https://www.belg.be/72509/nieuws/legally-blonde-eindelijk-in-de-zalen/|website=belg.be|date=February 7, 2023 |language=nl}}</ref>

In [[Paris]], [[France]], a French-language production opened on May 17, 2012, at [[Le Palace]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 26, 2010|title='La Revanche d'une Blonde' : l'interprète d'Elle Woods à Paris enfin dévoilée !|url=http://www.musicalavenue.fr/Actualite/France/20100626/La-Revanche-dune-Blonde-linterprete-dElle-Woods-a-Paris-enfin-devoilee|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101009232823/http://www.musicalavenue.fr/Actualite/France/20100626/La-Revanche-dune-Blonde-linterprete-dElle-Woods-a-Paris-enfin-devoilee|archive-date=October 9, 2010|website=musicalavenue.fr|language=fr}}</ref> The show was a [[Box-office bomb|commercial flop]] and closed on June 10, 2012, after only three weeks because of the lack of spectators.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Boucher|first=Kevin|date=June 7, 2012|title=La comédie musicale "La Revanche d'une Blonde" s'arrête prématurément à Paris|language=fr|work=Ozap|url=http://www.ozap.com/actu/la-comedie-musicale-la-revanche-d-une-blonde-s-arrete-prematurement-a-paris/441288|access-date=December 21, 2018}}</ref>

An Australian production began previews in September 2012 at the [[Sydney Lyric|Lyric Theatre, Sydney]], before opening on October 4, 2012. [[Lucy Durack]] played Elle Woods with [[Rob Mills]] as Warner, David Harris as Emmett, [[Erika Heynatz]] as Brooke Wyndham, and [[Helen Dallimore]] as Paulette,{{Citation needed|date=April 2017}} with [[Cameron Daddo]] returning to the Australian stage for the first time in 20 years to play Professor Callahan.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Keys|first=Vanessa|date=2012-03-05|title=Lucy Durak cast as Elle Woods in Australian production of hit musical Legally Blonde|url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/wa/lucy-durak-cast-as-elle-woods-in-australian-production-of-hit-musical-legally-blonde-ng-b41fbe3a33ec437a870fbe361748123e|access-date=2021-03-24|website=PerthNow}}</ref> The production concluded its run at Melbourne's [[Princess Theatre (Melbourne)|Princess Theatre]] on July 14, 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Legally Blonde Finishes Australian Tour on July 14|url=https://www.stagewhispers.com.au/news/legally-blonde-finishes-australian-tour-july-14|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202233551/http://www.stagewhispers.com.au/news/legally-blonde-finishes-australian-tour-july-14|archive-date=December 2, 2013|access-date=November 25, 2013|website=Stage Whispers}}</ref> The show won five [[Helpmann Awards]], including Best Musical.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Purcell|first=Carey|date=July 29, 2013|title=Jerry Mitchell, ''Legally Blonde'' and ''King Kong'' Honored at Helpmann Awards|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/jerry-mitchell-legally-blonde-and-king-kong-honored-at-helpmann-awards-com-207999|access-date=2021-03-24|website=Playbill}}</ref>

A Hebrew-language production of ''Legally Blonde'' premiered in [[Israel]] in February 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Cohen|first=Maya|date=November 12, 2019|title=לא רק בלונדינית', המחזמר'|trans-title=Not Just a Blonde, the Musical|url=https://www.israelhayom.co.il/article/706477|access-date=2021-03-24|website=Israel Hayom|language=he}}</ref> The cast included [[Ania Bukstein]] as Elle Woods, Oz Zehavi as Emmett, Sassi Keshet as Professor Callahan, [[Hana Laszlo]] as Paulette, and [[Mei Finegold]] as Brooke.

A Spanish-language production ran from October 9, 2023 to February 4, 2024 at the Teatro La Latina in [[Madrid]], [[Spain]]. The cast included Lucía Ambrossi as Elle Woods, Íñigo Etayo as Emmett, Maia Contreras as Paulette, and Ricky Merino as Wagner.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Cohen|first=Maya|date=September 28, 2023|title="Una rubia muy legal, el musical": Madrid se pinta de rosa con esta explosiva historia
|trans-title="Legally Blonde, the Musical": Madrid gets pink with this amazing story|url=https://elpais.com/escaparate/2023-09-28/todo-sobre-una-rubia-muy-legal-el-musical-en-madrid.html|website=El País|language=es}}</ref>

==Principal roles==
{| class="wikitable"
! style="width:15%;" | Character
! style="width:15%;" | [[Voice type]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://stageagent.com/shows/musical/711/legally-blonde/characters | title=Legally Blonde (Musical) Characters }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mtishows.com/legally-blonde-the-musical | title=Legally Blonde The Musical | date=September 16, 2015 }}</ref>
! style="width:70%;"| Description
|-
! [[Elle Woods]]
| [[Mezzo-Soprano]]
G♭3 - G5
| The president of the [[University of California, Los Angeles|UCLA]] Delta Nu sorority who finds herself at [[Harvard University]] studying to become a lawyer.
|-
! Emmett Forrest
|[[Tenor]]
B2 - A4
| A hardworking teacher's assistant at Harvard who falls for Elle.
|-
! Warner Huntington III
| [[Tenor]]
D#3 - A♭4
| Elle's suave and opportunist ex-boyfriend.
|-
! Paulette
| [[Mezzo-Soprano]]
A3 - A5
| A spunky hair stylist who becomes Elle's friend.
|-
! Vivienne Kensington
| [[Mezzo-Soprano]]
A3 - F5, optional G#5
| A no-nonsense law student and Warner's new girlfriend.
|-
! Professor Callahan
| [[Baritone]]
A2 - G♭4
| A cruel and intense law professor, and practicing attorney.
|-
! Brooke Wyndham
| [[Mezzo-Soprano]]
A3 - G5
| An exercise queen on trial for the murder of her husband.
|-
! Margot
| [[Soprano]]
A♭3 - F5
| One of Elle's sorority sisters who later serves as part of a "[[Greek chorus|Greek Chorus]]" in Elle's mind. She is dimwitted and bubbly.
|-
! Serena
| [[Soprano]]
A♭3 - F5
| One of Elle's sorority sisters who later serves as part of a "[[Greek chorus|Greek Chorus]]" in Elle's mind. Captain of [[University of California, Los Angeles|UCLA]]'s cheer team.
|-
! Pilar
| [[Soprano]]
A♭3 - F5
| One of Elle's sorority sisters who later serves as part of a "[[Greek chorus|Greek Chorus]]" in Elle's mind.
|}

==Casts==
The principal original casts of the major productions of ''Legally Blonde''.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! rowspan="2" |Character
!Broadway<ref name=":0" />
!First US Tour<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 7, 2008 |title=Legally Blonde National Tour Cast Includes Two MTV Finalists |url=https://www.broadway.com/buzz/97590/legally-blonde-national-tour-cast-includes-two-mtv-finalists/ |website=Broadway.com}}</ref>
!West End<ref name="whatsonstage09-10" />
!Second US Tour<ref>{{Cite news |title=OC-LegallyBlonde |url=https://issuu.com/footlights/docs/oc-legallyblonde |access-date=2018-06-27 |work=Issuu |language=en}}</ref>
!First UK Tour<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shenton |first=Mark |date=June 6, 2011 |title=''Legally Blonde the Musical'' Heads Out on U.K. Tour; Casting Announced |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/legally-blonde-the-musical-heads-out-on-uk-tour-casting-announced-com-179792 |access-date=2021-03-24 |website=Playbill}}</ref>
!Second UK Tour<ref>{{cite web |date=28 April 2017 |title=Cast Announced for Legally Blonde The Musical - Blackpool Grand Theatre |url=https://www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/cast-announced-legally-blonde-musical/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180125020050/https://www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/cast-announced-legally-blonde-musical/ |archive-date=25 January 2018 |access-date=1 May 2018 |website=blackpoolgrand.co.uk}}</ref>
!Third US Tour<ref>{{cite web |date=28 December 2018 |title=Cast set for 2019 national tour of Legally Blonde |url=https://playbill.com/article/cast-set-for-2019-national-tour-of-legally-blondethe-musical |access-date=6 May 2023 |website=playbill.com}}</ref>
!London Revival
!Fourth US Tour<ref>{{cite web |date=21 September 2022 |title=Hannah Bonnett and more to lead Legally Blonde 2022-2023 national tour |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/dallas/article/Hannah-Bonnett-More-to-Lead-LEGALLY-BLONDE-THE-MUSICAL-2022-2023-National-Tour-20220921 |access-date=6 May 2023 |website=broadwayworld.com}}</ref>
|-
!<small>2007</small>
!<small>2008</small>
! colspan="2" |<small>2010</small>
!<small>2011</small>
!<small>2017</small>
!<small>2019</small>
! colspan="2" |<small>2022</small>
|-
![[Elle Woods]]
| align="center" |[[Laura Bell Bundy]]
| align="center" |[[Becky Gulsvig]]
| align="center" |[[Sheridan Smith]]
| align="center" |[[Nikki Bohne]]
| align="center" |[[Faye Brookes]]
| align="center" |[[Lucie Jones]]
| align="center" |Maris McCulley
| align="center" |[[Courtney Bowman]]
| align="center" |Hannah Bonnett
|-
!Emmett Forrest
| align="center" |[[Christian Borle]]
| align="center" |D.B. Bonds
| align="center" |[[Alex Gaumond]]
| align="center" |Nic Rouleau
| align="center" |[[Iwan Lewis]]
| align="center" |David Barrett
| align="center" |Woody Minshew
| align="center" |[[Michael Ahomka-Lindsay]]
| align="center" |Aathaven Tharmarajah
|-
!Paulette
| align="center" |[[Orfeh]]
| align="center" |[[Natalie Joy Johnson]]
| align="center" |[[Jill Halfpenny]]
| align="center" |Jillian Wallach
| align="center" |[[Liz McClarnon]]
| align="center" |[[Rita Simons]]
| align="center" |Jill Taylor Anthony
| align="center" |Nadine Higgin
| align="center" |Ashley Morton
|-
!Professor Callahan
| align="center" |[[Michael Rupert]]
| align="center" |Ken Land
| align="center" |[[Peter Davison]]
| align="center" |[[Kahlil Joseph]]
| align="center" |[[Dave Willetts]]
| align="center" |[[Bill Ward (actor)|Bill Ward]]
| align="center" |Chris Carsten
| align="center" |Eugene McCoy
| align="center" |Chris Carsten
|-
!Warner Huntington III
| align="center" |[[Richard H. Blake]]
| align="center" |Jeff Mclean
| align="center" |[[Duncan James]]
| align="center" |Matthew Ragas
| align="center" |Neil Toon
| align="center" |Liam Doyle
| align="center" |James Oblak
| align="center" |Alistair Toovey
| align="center" |James Oblak
|-
!Vivienne Kensington
| align="center" |[[Katherine Shindle|Kate Shindle]]
| align="center" |Megan Lewis
| align="center" |[[Caroline Keiff]]
| align="center" |Hannah Cruz
| align="center" |Charlotte Harwood
| align="center" |Laura Harrison
| align="center" |Berlande Millus
| align="center" |Vanessa Fisher
| align="center" |Lea Sevola
|-
!Brooke Wyndham
| align="center" |[[Nikki Snelson]]
| align="center" |[[Coleen Sexton]]
| align="center" |[[Aoife Mulholland]]
| align="center" |Shannon Mullen
| align="center" |Hannah Grover
| align="center" |Helen Petrovna
| align="center" |Megan Hoxie
| align="center" |[[Lauren Drew]]
| align="center" |Kaelee Albritton
|-
!Enid
| align="center" |[[Natalie Joy Johnson]]
| align="center" |Gretchen Burghart
| align="center" |Suzie McAdam
| align="center" |Sarah Beth Pfeifer
| align="center" |Gemma Baird
| align="center" |Nancy Hill
| align="center" |Nora Elkind
| align="center" |Alžbeta Matyšáková
| align="center" |Harley Barton
|-
!Kyle
| align="center" |[[Andy Karl]]
| align="center" |Ven Daniel
| align="center" |Chris Ellis-Stanton
| align="center" |Michael Milton
| align="center" |Lewis Griffiths
| align="center" |Ben Harlow
| align="center" |Dorian Quinn
| align="center" |Dominic Lamb
| align="center" |Matthew Dean Hollis
|-
!Serena
| align="center" |[[Leslie Kritzer]]
| align="center" |Cortney Wolfson
| align="center" |[[Susan McFadden]]
| align="center" |Nadia Vynnytsky
| align="center" |Sinead Long
| align="center" |Rachel Grundy
| align="center" |Chelsea Lorraine Wargo
| align="center" |Hannah Yun Chamberlain
| align="center" |Taylor Lloyd
|-
!Margot
| align="center" |[[Annaleigh Ashford]]
| align="center" |Rhiannon Hansen
| align="center" |[[Amy Lennox]]
| align="center" |Maggie Taylor
| align="center" |[[Sophie Isaacs]]
| align="center" |Rebecca Stenhouse
| align="center" |Andee Buccheri
| align="center" |[[Iz Hesketh]]
| align="center" |Jesse Lynn Harte
|-
!Pilar
| align="center" |[[DeQuina Moore]]
| align="center" |Crystal Joy
| align="center" |[[Ibinabo Jack]]
| align="center" |Brit West
| align="center" |Micha Richardson
| align="center" |Delycia Belgrave
| align="center" |Kayla Jenerson
| align="center" |[[Grace Mouat]]
| align="center" |Rory Furey-King
|}
* The cast for the TV airing, filmed in mid-September 2007,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Gans|first1=Andrew|last2=Hetrick|first2=Adam|date=2007-09-10|title=MTV Sets Broadcast Date for ''Legally Blonde''|work=Playbill|url=https://www.playbill.com/article/mtv-sets-broadcast-date-for-legally-blonde-com-143572|access-date=March 24, 2021}}</ref> consisted of the entire original [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] cast, except for Tracy Jai Edwards taking over for [[Leslie Kritzer]] as Serena and [[Asmeret Ghebremichael]] replacing DeQuina Moore as Pilar. Moore departed from the production in July 2007,<ref>{{cite news|last=Hetrick|first=Adam|date=2007-07-02|title=''Legally Blonde'' Welcomes Delta Nu Asmeret Ghebremichael July 2|work=Playbill|url=https://www.playbill.com/article/legally-blonde-welcomes-delta-nu-asmeret-ghebremichael-july-2-com-141902|access-date=March 24, 2021}}</ref><ref name="IBDB Replacement"/> and Kritzer left in August that same year.<ref name="IBDB Replacement">{{cite web|title=IBDB Replacements/Transfers |publisher=[[Internet Broadway Database]] |url=http://www.ibdb.com/productionreplacements.asp?ID=423552 |access-date=2008-07-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017115038/http://ibdb.com/productionreplacements.asp?ID=423552 |archive-date=2007-10-17 }}</ref>

=== Notable Broadway replacements ===
*Elle Woods: [[Bailey Hanks]]
*Margot: [[Kate Rockwell (actress)|Kate Rockwell]]
*Pilar: [[Asmeret Ghebremichael]]

==Critical response==
The musical received mixed reviews but was praised for being a fun and upbeat production. [[Ben Brantley]], reviewing the musical in ''[[The New York Times]]'', wrote that the show was a "high-energy, empty-calories, and expensive-looking hymn to the glories of girlishness". He praised [[Laura Bell Bundy]], saying, "she sings and dances flawlessly, and she delivers silly lines as if she meant them."<ref>{{cite news|last=Brantley|first=Ben|date=2007-04-30|title=Candy Worship in the Temple of the Prom Queen|work=The New York Times|url=http://theater.nytimes.com/2007/04/30/theater/reviews/30blon.html|url-status=live|access-date=2010-01-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091109052754/http://theater.nytimes.com/2007/04/30/theater/reviews/30blon.html|archive-date=2009-11-09}}</ref> [[Clive Barnes]], in his ''[[New York Post]]'' review, praised Heather Hach's [[book (musical theatre)|book]] but criticized the "amorphous, synthetic, and maniacally empty-headed music", summarizing the show as "a pleasant if noisy night out".<ref>{{cite news|last=Barnes|first=Clive|date=2007-04-30|title=WHITHER 'SPOON?|work=New York Post|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/theater/item_uHd5cSb1yeIxU89I0LRqRK|access-date=2010-01-02}}</ref> Elysa Gardner for ''[[USA Today]]'' wrote that the musical was an "ingratiating trifle", and the "game cast ensure that the proceedings, however patronizing, aren't irritating."<ref>{{cite news|last=Gardner|first=Elysa|date=2007-04-05|title=No real reason to object to airy 'Legally Blonde'|work=USA Today|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/theater/reviews/2007-05-03-legally-blonde_N.htm|url-status=live|access-date=2009-12-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206020838/http://www.usatoday.com/life/theater/reviews/2007-05-03-legally-blonde_N.htm|archive-date=2010-12-06}}</ref> Jeremy McCarter in ''[[New York (magazine)|New York Magazine]]'' lamented that the musical "doesn’t summon memories of [[Tracy Flick]], the steely student-council campaigner that [[Reese Witherspoon]] played in ''[[Election (1999 film)|Election]]'' before starring in ''Legally Blonde''", writing that the "Flickish manic drive" in Witherspoon's ''Legally Blonde'' performance had been his favorite part of the film.<ref>{{cite news|last=McCarter|first=Jeremy|date=2007-05-03|title=Bialystock and Gloom|work=New York|url=https://nymag.com/arts/theater/reviews/31513/|url-status=live|access-date=2009-12-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211110018/http://nymag.com/arts/theater/reviews/31513/|archive-date=2008-12-11}}</ref>

The West End production received mostly positive reviews. Benedict Nightingale in ''[[The Times]]'' wrote, "Let's overlook some forgettable tunes and welcome dance that embraces everything from skipping with ropes to spoof [[Riverdance]]. Let's relish the support both of a fake-Greek chorus dressed as cheerleaders and of two cute, unnaturally obedient dogs. Let's agree that ''Legally Blonde'' is, well, fun".<ref name="Bosanquet" /> Paul Taylor for ''[[The Independent]]'' called the show "Ridiculously enjoyable from start to finish."<ref>{{cite news|last=Taylor|first=Paul|date=2010-01-14|title=First Night: Legally Blonde, Savoy Theatre, London|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/reviews/first-night-legally-blonde-savoy-theatre-london-1867256.html|newspaper=The Independent|location=London|access-date=2017-01-10|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170110232831/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/reviews/first-night-legally-blonde-savoy-theatre-london-1867256.html|archive-date=2017-01-10}}</ref>

The show also received some negative criticism. Tim Walker wrote in ''[[The Sunday Telegraph]]'': "It is a great big empty vessel of a show that makes a lot of noise and not much else, and would have been better entitled 'Irredeemably Bland'. I was aware that for the whole of the two hours and 25 minutes that it ran, I was sitting among a group of people with vacant smiles on faces that otherwise seemed entirely numbed. That was how I looked, too. It is the expression that registers when what one is seeing doesn't entirely sync with what is going on in one's brain."<ref name="Bosanquet">{{cite news|last1=Bosanquet|first1=Theo|last2=Warden|first2=Kelly Ann|date=2009-01-14|title=What's the Verdict on Legally?|work=WhatsOnStage|url=http://www.whatsonstage.com/roundup/theatre/london/E8831263467275/Review+Round-up:+What's+the+Verdict+on+Legally%3F.html|url-status=dead|access-date=2010-02-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100117073428/http://www.whatsonstage.com/roundup/theatre/london/E8831263467275/Review+Round-up:+What's+the+Verdict+on+Legally?.html|archive-date=2010-01-17}}</ref>

==Recordings==
The Original Broadway Cast recording was recorded on May 7 and 8, 2007, and released on July 17, 2007, by [[Ghostlight Records]] (an imprint of [[Sh-K-Boom Records]]). During the week of July 23, 2007, the cast album made its debut on Billboard's Cast Album chart, placing at #1, and it charted at #86 on the Billboard 200.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hernandez|first=Erino|date=2007-07-26|title=Blonde Beats Green: ''Legally Blonde'' Tops ''Wicked'' for Debut on Billboard Chart|work=Playbill|url=https://www.playbill.com/article/blonde-beats-green-legally-blonde-tops-wicked-for-debut-on-billboard-chart-com-142516|access-date=March 24, 2021}}</ref>

Before previews, a promotional sampler CD was released including "Omigod You Guys", "So Much Better", and "Take It Like a Man", featuring a slightly divergent cast, arrangement and lyrics of that of the final show's.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Legally Blonde > Promo Recording|url=https://castalbums.org/recordings/Legally-Blonde-2006-Promo-Recording/5413|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071217114737/http://www.castalbums.org/recordings/5413|archive-date=December 17, 2007|access-date=December 30, 2009|website=Cast Albums}}</ref>

During the development phase of the musical, a demo recording was released with twelve songs featuring [[Kerry Butler]] and others as Elle. The demo featured workshop versions of "There! Right There!" (labelled on the sampler as "Gay or European"), "Blood in the Water", "Omigod You Guys", "Serious", "What You Want", "Legally Blonde", "Legally Blonde Remix", "So Much Better", and "Take It Like a Man", in addition to two songs not present in the finalized version of the show: "Beacon of Positivity" (which became "Love and War" for the previews and eventually "Positive" for the finalized version of the show) and "Good Boy", a song in the place of "Ireland".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Legally Blonde > Demo|url=https://castalbums.org/recordings/Legally-Blonde-2005-Demo/4627|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080524170632/http://www.castalbums.org/recordings/4627/|archive-date=May 24, 2008|access-date=December 30, 2009|website=Cast Albums}}</ref>

[[Bailey Hanks]], who won the reality show ''[[Legally Blonde: The Musical – The Search for Elle Woods|The Search for Elle Woods]]'', recorded the song "So Much Better", which was released as a single on July 22, 2008.<ref name="SoMuchBetterSingle"/>

A live London cast recording was recorded featuring [[Sheridan Smith]], [[Alex Gaumond]], and [[Duncan James]] in June 2010. It was released on August 16, 2010.<ref>[http://www.dresscircle.co.uk/product.asp?StockID=36820 Dress Circle Listing] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100715191115/http://www.dresscircle.co.uk/product.asp?StockID=36820 |date=July 15, 2010 }} dresscircle.co.uk</ref> The London Cast Recording used the same track listing as the Broadway Cast Recording, with bonus tracks "Kyle the Magnificent" and the curtain call music added to the digital download version.<ref>[https://music.apple.com/gb/album/legally-blonde-the-musical-original-london-cast-recording/386879507 iTunes Store album listing]  itunes.apple.com</ref>

==Awards and nominations==

===Original Broadway production===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:95%;"
|-
! style="width:5%;"| Year
! style="width:20%;"| Award Ceremony
! style="width:45%;"| Category
! style="width:20%;"| Nominee
! style="width:10%;"| Result
|-
| rowspan="22" style="text-align:center;"| 2007
| [[Actors' Equity Association]]
| Outstanding Broadway Chorus
|
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="10"| [[Drama Desk Award]]
| colspan="2"| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical|Outstanding Musical]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Book of a Musical|Outstanding Book of a Musical]]
| [[Heather Hach]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical|Outstanding Actress in a Musical]]
| [[Laura Bell Bundy]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical|Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical]]
| [[Christian Borle]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical|Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical]]
| [[Orfeh]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Choreography|Outstanding Choreography]]
| rowspan="2"| [[Jerry Mitchell]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Director of a Musical|Outstanding Director of a Musical]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics|Outstanding Lyrics]]
| rowspan="2"| [[Laurence O'Keefe (composer)|Laurence O'Keefe]]<br />and [[Nell Benjamin]]
|{{nom}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music|Outstanding Music]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Set Design|Outstanding Set Design of a Musical]]
| [[David Rockwell]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="3"| [[Drama League Award]]
| colspan="2"| Distinguished Production of a Musical
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| Distinguished Performance
| [[Laura Bell Bundy]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Christian Borle]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Outer Critics Circle Award]]
| Best Featured Actress in a Musical
| [[Orfeh]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="7"| [[Tony Award]]
| [[Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical|Best Book of a Musical]]
| [[Heather Hach]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Original Score|Best Original Score]]
| [[Laurence O'Keefe (composer)|Laurence O'Keefe]]<br />and [[Nell Benjamin]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical|Best Actress in a Musical]]
| [[Laura Bell Bundy]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical|Best Featured Actor in a Musical]]
| [[Christian Borle]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical|Best Featured Actress in a Musical]]
| [[Orfeh]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Choreography|Best Choreography]]
| [[Jerry Mitchell]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Costume Design|Best Costume Design of a Musical]]
| [[Gregg Barnes]]
| {{nom}}
|}

===North American tour===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:95%;"
|-
! style="width:5%;"| Year
! style="width:20%;"| Award Ceremony
! style="width:45%;"| Category
! style="width:20%;"| Nominee
! style="width:10%;"| Result
|-
| rowspan="4" style="text-align:center;"| 2009
| [[Helen Hayes Award]]<ref>{{cite news|last=Bacalzo|first=Dan|date=2009-04-14|title=Stacy Keach, Alice Ripley, Chita Rivera, Aaron Tveit, and More Receive Helen Hayes Awards|work=TheaterMania|url=http://www.theatermania.com/washington-dc/news/02-2009/alan-cox-carrie-fisher-becky-gulsvig-stacy-keach-c_17507.html|url-status=live|access-date=2009-12-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090727092337/http://www.theatermania.com/washington-dc/news/02-2009/alan-cox-carrie-fisher-becky-gulsvig-stacy-keach-c_17507.html|archive-date=2009-07-27}}</ref>
| [[Helen Hayes Awards Non-Resident Acting|Outstanding Performance in a Non-Resident Production]]
| [[Becky Gulsvig]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="3"| [[Touring Broadway Awards]]
| colspan="2"| Best New Touring Musical
| {{won}}
|-
| colspan="2"| Best Design of a Touring Production
| {{won}}
|-
| Best Choreography of a Touring Production
| [[Jerry Mitchell]]
| {{won}}
|}

===Original West End production===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:95%;"
|-
! style="width:5%;"| Year
! style="width:20%;"| Award Ceremony
! style="width:45%;"| Category
! style="width:20%;"| Nominee
! style="width:10%;"| Result
|-
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| 2010
| rowspan="2"| [[Evening Standard Theatre Awards]]
| colspan="2"| Best Musical
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Actress
| [[Sheridan Smith]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="5" style="text-align:center;"| 2011
| rowspan="5"| [[Laurence Olivier Award]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=Shenton|first=Mark|date=March 13, 2011|title=''Legally Blonde'', ''Into the Woods'', ''Clybourne Park'', ''After the Dance'' Among Olivier Award Winners in London|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/legally-blonde-into-the-woods-clybourne-park-after-the-dance-among-olivier-award-winners-in-london-com-177180|access-date=2021-03-24|website=Playbill}}</ref>
| colspan="2"| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical|Best New Musical]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical|Best Actor in a Musical]]
| [[Alex Gaumond]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical|Best Actress in a Musical]]
| [[Sheridan Smith]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical|Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical]]
| [[Jill Halfpenny]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Theatre Choreographer|Best Theatre Choreographer]]
| [[Jerry Mitchell]]
| {{nom}}
|}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Portal|United States|Theatre}}
{{Wikiquote}}
* [http://www.legallyblondethemusical.com/ Official website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121102230010/http://www.legallyblonde.com.au/index.html Official Australia Website]
* [http://www.legallyblondethemusical.co.uk/ Official UK Website]
* {{ibdb title|id=423552}}
* [http://www.mtishows.com/show_detail.asp?showid=000332 ''Legally Blonde: The Musical''] at the Music Theatre International website

{{Legally Blonde}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards for ''Legally Blonde''
| list = 
{{HelpmannAward Musical 2001-2020}}
{{OlivierAward Musical 2001–2025}}
}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Legally Blonde (Musical)}}
[[Category:2007 musicals]]
[[Category:Broadway musicals]]
[[Category:Musicals based on films]]
[[Category:Musicals based on novels]]
[[Category:Laurence Olivier Award–winning musicals]]
[[Category:West End musicals]]
[[Category:Blond hair]]
[[Category:Legally Blonde (franchise)]]
[[Category:Musicals set in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Musicals set in schools]]
[[Category:Musicals set in courtrooms]]