'Legally Blonde' review: A snap worthy performance
Saturday July 21, 2012 | By:Rikki Cason |
This past weekend I went to see “Legally Blonde” the musical at the Historic Palace Theatre. This was the first live performance that I had attended at the Palace and I was very impressed.
The cast was every energetic and entertaining and the show really highlighted the talent that Western New York has to offer.
“Legally Blonde” has been a favorite of mine for many years. I really loved the Reese Witherspoon movies and also enjoyed watching the MTV reality show where a group of unknown hopefuls competed for the lead role of Elle Woods. I was even Elle Woods for Halloween a few years ago.
So when I heard the Palace was doing their own rendition of this new classic musical I was very excited.
The show tells the story of Elle Woods and her journey from sorority girl, with a love of pink and a love for love, to an independent, hard working woman, who can accomplish anything that she puts her mind to.
All of the members of the cast were very good in their parts. There were a number of actors that really stood out to me in their roles, including Bethany Burrows as Margot, Maria Droz as Enid Hoops and Lisa Ludwig as Paulette.
John Kaczorowski of Amherst, who played the role of Emmett, was also very good. This was his first time performing on the Palace stage and hopefully he will return in the future.
He was very believable as the nice guy and really looked heartbroken as Elle fought with her decision on who she really wanted to be. In the end I found myself routing for the couple and even though I knew the outcome of the show, there was a part of me that was a little nervous that they wouldn’t get that scene where they come together in the end … but they did.
The character that most stood out to me was Amy Jakiel who played the leading role of Elle.
The Buffalo resident has performed in various productions around the area, including many at the Palace Theatre. Most recently she was the director of “Hello, Dolly!”
I am a volunteer with Jakiel at Kids on the Block — a puppet troupe that travels to schools and events around Western New York, teaching kids about disabilities.
So going in to the performance, I was unsure if I would be able to separate the person I know and have worked with from Elle Woods, such a beloved character. However, five minutes in, I was quite impressed how well she transformed herself into the role and how she really was Elle.
Jakiel is very talented and definitely a great pick for the role.
One of the cutest parts of the performance was when Prince, a Chihuahua mix, playing the role of Bruiser, and Duncan, playing the role of Rufus came out on the stage. It can be very difficult to work with animals on stage as an actor but the two dogs did wonderfully and really added to the performance.
The songs are also very catchy and one of the best parts of the show. I still find myself, days later, randomly singing the chorus to “Omigod You Guys” over and over again.
This show is definitely one that everyone in the area should attend if the get the chance. It is aimed more toward a mature audience, as there are a few adult situations and references, but this comedic show is definitely a must see.
The show will be performed at 3 p.m. Sunday and then again at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 28 and 3 p.m. Sunday, July 29.
For tickets or more information visit www.lockportpalacetheatre.org.
The cast was every energetic and entertaining and the show really highlighted the talent that Western New York has to offer.
“Legally Blonde” has been a favorite of mine for many years. I really loved the Reese Witherspoon movies and also enjoyed watching the MTV reality show where a group of unknown hopefuls competed for the lead role of Elle Woods. I was even Elle Woods for Halloween a few years ago.
So when I heard the Palace was doing their own rendition of this new classic musical I was very excited.
The show tells the story of Elle Woods and her journey from sorority girl, with a love of pink and a love for love, to an independent, hard working woman, who can accomplish anything that she puts her mind to.
All of the members of the cast were very good in their parts. There were a number of actors that really stood out to me in their roles, including Bethany Burrows as Margot, Maria Droz as Enid Hoops and Lisa Ludwig as Paulette.
John Kaczorowski of Amherst, who played the role of Emmett, was also very good. This was his first time performing on the Palace stage and hopefully he will return in the future.
He was very believable as the nice guy and really looked heartbroken as Elle fought with her decision on who she really wanted to be. In the end I found myself routing for the couple and even though I knew the outcome of the show, there was a part of me that was a little nervous that they wouldn’t get that scene where they come together in the end … but they did.
The character that most stood out to me was Amy Jakiel who played the leading role of Elle.
The Buffalo resident has performed in various productions around the area, including many at the Palace Theatre. Most recently she was the director of “Hello, Dolly!”
I am a volunteer with Jakiel at Kids on the Block — a puppet troupe that travels to schools and events around Western New York, teaching kids about disabilities.
So going in to the performance, I was unsure if I would be able to separate the person I know and have worked with from Elle Woods, such a beloved character. However, five minutes in, I was quite impressed how well she transformed herself into the role and how she really was Elle.
Jakiel is very talented and definitely a great pick for the role.
One of the cutest parts of the performance was when Prince, a Chihuahua mix, playing the role of Bruiser, and Duncan, playing the role of Rufus came out on the stage. It can be very difficult to work with animals on stage as an actor but the two dogs did wonderfully and really added to the performance.
The songs are also very catchy and one of the best parts of the show. I still find myself, days later, randomly singing the chorus to “Omigod You Guys” over and over again.
This show is definitely one that everyone in the area should attend if the get the chance. It is aimed more toward a mature audience, as there are a few adult situations and references, but this comedic show is definitely a must see.
The show will be performed at 3 p.m. Sunday and then again at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 28 and 3 p.m. Sunday, July 29.
For tickets or more information visit www.lockportpalacetheatre.org.
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