Legally Blonde Dramaturgy
In order to get into Harvard, Elle Woods NEEDS to be comfortable using Legal Jargon in everyday life. Be like Elle and learn some Legal Jargon present in Legally Blonde The Musical.
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Legal Jargon
Alibi - A defense in which the accused proves they were elsewhere when a crime was committed.
Approach - A request by an attorney to move closer to the judge’s bench to discuss a matter privately, often to address sensitive legal issues without the jury hearing.
Case - A legal dispute brought before a court. A case can be civil (lawsuits, contracts) or criminal (involving charges of wrongdoing).
Common Law Marriage - A legal recognition of a couple as married without formal registration, based on cohabitation and public acknowledgment. (NOT recognized in Indiana)
Civil vs Criminal Jury - Civil Juries, usually 6-8 jurors must make a majority decision of if a plaintiff is liable while criminal juries usually 12 jurors must rule uniminiously if a defendant is guilty.
Counsel / Co-Counsel - Lawyers representing a party in court. “Co-counsel” refers to additional attorneys assisting in a case.
Criminal Proceedings / Proceeding - The process in which criminal charges are filed, evidence is presented, and a verdict is reached in a court of law.
Cross-Examination - The questioning of a witness by the opposing attorney to challenge their testimony and test credibility.
Custody of the Court - When an item, document, or even a person (such as a minor or an individual in legal detention) is under the court's control and jurisdiction.
D.A. - District Attorney. A public prosecutor who represents the state in criminal cases. They decide whether to press charges and argue cases in court.
Defendant - The person or entity accused of a crime or being sued in a civil case.
Defense / Prosecution - The legal battle between the prosecution (state or government) and the defense (the accused’s legal representation).
Exhibit "A", "B" etc - Attorneys must formally ask the judge to admit evidence, allowing the opposing party to object if inadmissible; the judge then decides whether to admit the evidence. A witness must be able to identify the evidence and explain its relevance to the case.
Legal Fees / Payout - The costs associated with legal representation, including attorney fees and settlements in civil cases. “A typical lawyer payout, particularly in personal injury cases, is around 33% to 40% of the total settlement amount received by the client, often referred to as a "contingency fee" where the lawyer only gets paid if the case is won; this percentage can vary depending on the complexity of the case, the lawyer's experience, and the geographic location.” $100 – 400 and hour.
Malum in Se - A Latin term meaning an act that is inherently wrong, such as murder or theft. These crimes are universally recognized as immoral.
Malum Prohibitum - A Latin term referring to acts that are illegal by statute but not inherently immoral, such as jaywalking or regulatory violations.
Miranda Rights - A defendant’s rights read upon arrest, including the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. If not read, statements made by the defendant may be inadmissible in court. “"You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to speak to an attorney and to have an attorney present during any questioning. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be provided for you at government expense."
Motive - The reason behind committing a crime. Establishing motive is key in criminal trials to demonstrate intent.
Objection - A formal protest by an attorney during trial, challenging testimony or evidence as improper. The judge either “sustains” (agrees with) or “overrules” (disagrees with) the objection.
Perjure Yourself (Perjury) - The act of lying under oath, a criminal offense that can result in fines or imprisonment.
Plaintiff - A person who brings a case against another in a court of law.
Plea Bargain - A negotiation in which the defendant agrees to plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a lighter sentence, avoiding trial.
Recess - A short break in court proceedings before resuming arguments or testimony.
Reckless Abandonment - Reckless abandonment is a criminal offense that can occur when someone fails to care for a child or vulnerable adult, leaving them without the necessities they need. Often used in child neglect cases or civil liability claims.
Rule 3:03 of the Supreme Judicial Court - This rule, specific to Massachusetts, allows law students to practice law under supervision in certain court proceedings.
Site Visit - A physical inspection of a specific location relevant to a legal case, where representatives visits the site to gather evidence, assess conditions, and understand the context of a dispute, often occurring in cases involving property damage, personal injury, or construction issues;
Elle Woods gets a 175 on her LSAT in Legally Blonde The Musical and a 179 in the movie. How impressive is Woods, Elle? Check out how Elle's scores compare to recent statistics.
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Elle's LSAT Scores
Elle Woods scoring a 179 on the LSAT in Legally Blonde is an extraordinary feat, especially when considering the real-world distribution of LSAT scores. As the charts show, the majority of test-takers cluster around the 150-155 range, with very few reaching the upper 170s. A 179 not only places Elle in the top 1% of all test-takers but also highlights her intelligence, determination, and ability to defy expectations. Achieving such a near-perfect score requires exceptional logical reasoning, reading comprehension, and analytical skills—qualities that Elle masterfully demonstrates, despite being underestimated by those around her.
Here is data from the class of 1L's admitted to Harvard in fall 2024. Harvard J.D. Class of 2027 Stats
How does the hierarchy in a law firm work? What are the different roles and responsibilities of Professor Callahan, Emmet, Elle & her classmates?
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Law Firm Hierarchy
Managing Partner
The managing partner sits at the top of the hierarchy at a law firm. They lay out a vision for the firm, then develop the strategic plan to achieve that goal. A managing partner, who frequently has more than 20 years of experience at a firm, is often elected to the position by the firm’s attorneys.
Partner
Partnerships are split into tiers equity partners and nonequity partners. Equity partners own shares of a firm and split the firm’s profits. A nonequity partner has many of the same responsibilities, but they do not have an ownership position in the firm and have more limited voting rights.
Of Counsel
There are two types of “of counsel” attorneys in law firms. The first are veteran attorneys, who want to be affiliated with a firm without the revenue requirements. The other “of counsel” attorneys are experienced mid-career lawyers who work full time and may have leadership roles on specific matters. While some are building the book of business they need before they can become partners, others may remain permanently in their “of counsel” role.
Associate
There are two types of “of counsel” attorneys in law firms. The first are veteran attorneys, who want to be affiliated with a firm without the revenue requirements. The other “of counsel” attorneys are experienced mid-career lawyers who work full time and may have leadership roles on specific matters. While some are building the book of business they need before they can become partners, others may remain permanently in their “of counsel” role.
Paralegals & Clerks
Paralegals are the left hand of the attorneys. They provide critical support – documentation preparation, research, case management and even basic client communication. They free up attorneys from those tasks, so the attorneys can do more strategic work. Paralegals can, in practice, shift the firm hierarchy, particularly in smaller firms where a senior paralegal can effectively outrank an associate.
Interns
An intern at a law firm supports attorneys and legal staff through a variety of tasks, including conducting legal research, drafting documents like memos and briefs, organizing case files, and assisting with case preparation. They also handle administrative duties such as scheduling, filing, and managing correspondence, gaining insight into the day-to-day operations of a law firm. In court, interns help attorneys stay organized by managing case files, tracking key points during proceedings, taking detailed notes, coordinating witnesses, and ensuring necessary documents are readily available. While they typically don’t speak in court, their behind-the-scenes support is essential for smooth proceedings and offers valuable exposure to legal strategies and courtroom dynamics.
Elle Wood's story would not be possible were it not for the woman before her who had to fight for their placein the legal word. Learn about some of those women here.
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Female Legal Figures Throughout History
Some SUPREME Figures To Know
Justice Sandra Day O’Connor (served 1981–2006)
Appointed by President Ronald Reagan, Sandra Day O’Connor was the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court. A moderate conservative, she played a crucial role as a swing vote in many cases. She notably upheld the right to abortion in Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992), reaffirming Roe v. Wade while allowing states to impose certain restrictions. O’Connor also supported gender equality in cases like Mississippi University for Women v. Hogan (1982), which struck down a male-only admissions policy in a nursing school.
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (served 1993–2020)
Nominated by President Bill Clinton, Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a trailblazer for gender equality long before joining the Court. As a justice, she wrote the majority opinion in United States v. Virginia (1996), which ended the Virginia Military Institute’s male-only admissions policy. She also dissented powerfully in Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (2007), inspiring the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (2009), which strengthened protections against wage discrimination. Ginsburg became a cultural icon for her fierce advocacy of women’s rights and civil liberties.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor (served 2009–present)
Appointed by President Barack Obama, Sonia Sotomayor is the first Latina Supreme Court justice. She has consistently supported reproductive rights, voting to strike down restrictions on abortion access in cases like Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt (2016). Sotomayor has also been a strong voice for workplace protections and gender equity, dissenting in cases that weakened affirmative action and reproductive healthcare access.
Justice Elena Kagan (served 2010–present)
Nominated by President Barack Obama, Elena Kagan has been a reliable liberal voice on the Court, advocating for reproductive rights and workplace equality. She joined the majority in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt (2016), reinforcing the constitutional right to abortion. Kagan has also written dissents opposing rulings that erode protections for women, including cases that have weakened union power and contraceptive access under the Affordable Care Act.
Justice Amy Coney Barrett (served 2020–present)
Appointed by President Donald Trump, Amy Coney Barrett is known for her conservative judicial philosophy. While she has not directly authored landmark opinions on women’s rights, her vote in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (2022) contributed to overturning Roe v. Wade, eliminating the federal constitutional right to abortion. Her judicial record reflects a preference for states' rights over broad federal protections in areas affecting women’s reproductive freedoms.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson (served 2022–present)
Appointed by President Joe Biden, Ketanji Brown Jackson is the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court. While still early in her tenure, she has already dissented in cases that have rolled back affirmative action and voting rights, advocating for legal interpretations that protect marginalized communities, including women. Her legal philosophy suggests she will be a strong defender of gender and racial equity in future rulings.
Ten Important FIRSTS To Know
Ada Kepley (1847–1925)
the first woman in the United States to graduate from law school in 1870.
Arabella Mansfield (1846–1911)
the first woman in the United States to graduate from law school in 1870.
Belva Lockwood (1830–1917)
the first woman in the United States to graduate from law school in 1870.
Charlotte E. Ray (1850–1911)
first woman admitted to the legal profession in the United States in 1869, despite laws at the time barring women from practicing law.
Florence E. Allen (1884–1966)
a pioneering lawyer and women’s rights activist who became the first woman to argue a case before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1880.
Hillary Clinton (1947–present)
lawyer, former First Lady, U.S. senator, Secretary of State, and the first woman to be nominated for U.S. president by a major political party in 2016.
Jeannette Rankin (1880–1973)
the first woman to serve on a state supreme court (Ohio, 1922) and one of the first female federal judges.
Janet Wood Reno (1938–2016)
an American lawyer and public official who served as the first female and 78th United States attorney general.
Kamala Harris (1964–present)
made history as the first female, first Black, and first South Asian vice president of the United States.
Victoria Woodhull (1838–1927)
a radical reformer, suffragist, and the first woman to run for U.S. president in 1872.
First women to graduate from Harvard University (1953)
Hair and fashion is a very important theme within the show. It helps to create bonds between the different characters making unlikely friendships.
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Beauty & Hair
Hair is a central symbol in the original story of Legally Blonde —Elle’s transformation is marked by her iconic blonde hair, often seen as a symbol of beauty and identity. In our production, both Elle and Paulette are black women. With this framework, Black hair becomes a powerful focal point, adding layers of meaning tied to community, self-expression, and resilience. It shifts the story from a simple makeover narrative to one that acknowledges the complexities and politics of Black hair, especially in spaces like law and academia, where Eurocentric beauty standards often dominate.
Salons have historically been safe spaces for Black women—places of healing, empowerment, and community. Paulette’s role as a stylist becomes more than comedic relief; it represents a legacy of Black entrepreneurship and the intimate care networks that have long existed within Black communities. Her bond with Elle transforms into a moment of cultural solidarity, with hair as the bridge between identity and empowerment.
Outside the context of Legally Blonde, Black hair holds significant cultural, historical, and political weight. From the natural hair movement to ongoing debates about hair discrimination, Black hair has been at the forefront of conversations about race, identity, and acceptance. By centering Black hair traditions in this production, it challenges audiences to reconsider assumptions about professionalism, beauty, and authenticity. It underscores how acts as simple as choosing a hairstyle can carry profound cultural significance, making Elle’s journey of self-acceptance not just a personal victory, but a broader commentary on navigating spaces that have historically marginalized Black identity.
Interesting Facts About Black Hair Throughout History
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The earliest recorded mention of locks is in a Holy Hindu text in 1500 BCE. Most depictions would see Lord Shiva with a jatamukuta, meaning crown of matted hair.
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In India, Religious ascetic donned locks known as Sadhus. They belived wearing them would support cosmic energy flow and heighten consciousness.
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In Ancient Egypt hair stood as a visible symbol of hierarchy and divinity. Both elite men and women wore wigs made out of human hair, wool, and plant fibers. They would adorn these wigs with gold and beads as a sign of wealth, religious devotion and a direct connection to God.
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The Ancient Egyptians also believed that certain hairstyles have spiritual importance. They would adorn their hair with charms and amulets in order to deter malevolent forces.
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In West Africa, hairstyles such as cornrows, often called “canerows” in the Caribbean, were more than just practical styles; they were also identifiers that showcased ethnic backgrounds and geographical locations. Each style carried a unique signature that could denote whether someone was from the Wolof, Mende, or Ashanti tribes, among others.
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In Colombia, for instance, cornrow patterns were used to create maps and directions. Enslaved individuals would braid their hair with intricate designs that indicated routes, escape paths, or safe houses. In a time when literacy was rare among enslaved populations and communication was heavily monitored, hairstyles became a covert and creative language of resistance.
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The "Black Is Beautiful" movement encouraged African Americans to embrace their natural features, including their hair texture. Activist Marcus Garvey urged black women to celebrate their natural kinks, arguing that adopting Eurocentric beauty standards diminished their inherent beauty.
How did Legally Blonde become the iconic story it is today? Check out its trajactory from the original novel to our production in 2025.
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Story of Legally Blonde
Aug 1993
In 1993, Amanda Brown enrolls at Stanford Law School. "I was in my first week of law school, in 1993, and I saw this flyer for The Women of Stanford Law, so I was like, I'll go and meet some nice girls. Whatever. I went to the meeting, and these were not women. These were really angry people. The woman who was leading it spent three years at Stanford trying to change the name 'semester' to 'ovester.' I started laughing and I realized everyone in the room took it very seriously. So I didn't make any friends there." Amanda Brown didn't even bother to buy the books for class. She didn't pay attention at all. Instead, she sat in class with fluff-topped pens and pink paper and wrote letters to Serena, one of her best friends, documenting her law school experience. These letters and short stories to Serena would become the foundation of the novel Legally Blonde. "I couldn't believe it," Amanda says now. "It was literally like an anthropological study." Suzanne, her mom, sent Amanda care packages with more pens, to cheer her up. “I was sitting in tort class when the novel popped into my head, I wanted to do a parody of law school.” Brown, who left the Law School in 1995 after two years, says she’s glad she went. “It helped me decide what I wanted to do: write.”
1995
Amanda Brown leaves Stanford Law.
1999
Brown compiles her letters and short stories from Law School into the novel Legally Blonde. "I had plenty of time to watch people and write letters. I was just writing letters to my friends to kind of amuse myself. By the end of my first semester, I had like 300 pages. I wrote it all on pink paper, with my pink furry pen. I finally found an agent who picked it up out of a slush pile because it was on pink paper. It went out to studios and publishing houses the same day, and overnight there was a bidding war. MGM bought it. But it was rejected by everybody on the publishing side." Producer Marc Platt was intrigued by the character of Elle Woods when an unpublished novel manuscript was delivered to him. "What I loved about this story is that it's hilarious, it's sexy and, at the same time, it's empowering," says Platt. "The world looks at Elle and sees someone who is blonde and beautiful but nothing more. Elle, on the other hand, doesn't judge herself or anybody else. She thinks the world's great, she's great, everyone's great and nothing can change that. She's truly an irrepressible modern heroine." MGM gets writing duo, Karen McCullah and Kristin Smith write the screenplay for Legally Blonde. Notably, McCullah and Smith also wrote the screenplay for 10 Things I Hate About You, Ella Enchanted, and She's the Man. They spent two days on Stanford's campus in the spring of 2000 doing research. Director Robert Luketic, was drawn to the project while looking for a breakthrough film. "I had been reading scripts for two years, not finding anything I could put my own personal mark on, until Legally Blonde came around," Luketic said. The final product came after "something like 10 drafts of the script. I worked with the writers who stayed on after they started shooting," Luketic explained. "And we'd have re-thinks and re-writes, often in the middle of the night." An unused idea for the finished film included having a cameo appearance of Judge Judy during Elle's Harvard video essay in which Elle and her friends chased down the show's host, but the scene was cut when Judge Judy Sheindlin could not get on board.
Late 2000
Legally Blonde is cast and filmed in late 2000. Charlize Theron, Gwyneth Paltrow, Christina Applegate, Brittany Spears and Jennifer Love Hewitt were all considered for the lead role but Luketic (director) said he "knew on page five of the script that [he] wanted Reese to play Elle". "I wanted someone with gravitas and brains," he explained. "There had to be more behind the face, and Reese just fit the bill". Witherspoon went through several rounds of auditions for the part, even meeting with executives in character with a Southern California accent. "I remember a room full of men who were asking me questions about being a coed and being in a sorority," Witherspoon recalled. "Even though I had dropped out of college four years earlier and I have never been inside a sorority house." Jennifer Coolidge was cast as Elle's manicurist friend Paulette, For the role of Warner's new girlfriend Vivian, Selma Blair was cast. Ali Larter originally wanted to play one of Elle's sorority sisters, but upon reading the script, she fell in love with the character of Brooke Taylor Windham, the fitness instructor on trial for murder. The screenwriters envisioned Luke Wilson as they were coming up with Elle's love interest Emmett Richmond. "They auditioned a bunch of other guys and we're like, 'How about auditioning Luke Wilson for the Luke Wilson role?'" McCullah Lutz said. Witherspoon researched the character by studying sorority girls on their campuses and associated hot spots. She went to dinner with them and joked she was conducting an "anthropological study". "I could have gone into this and been really ditsy and played what I would have thought this character was, and I would have missed a whole other side of her," Witherspoon added. "But by going down to Beverly Hills, hanging out in Neiman Marcus, eating in their cafe and seeing how these women walk and speak, I got into the reality of the character. I saw how polite these women are, and I saw how much they value their female friendships and how important it is to support each other". The cast and crew also did a lot of research, with McCullah and Smith visiting the Stanford Law School for a week during orientation time; a scene of a group composed of new students going around in a circle was inspired on law students the screenwriters eavesdropped during their visit. They also sat for the criminal law and constitutional law classes; McCullah particularly got bored during the second class despite finding the first interesting, but this inspired her to write some scenes during that class. Reese Witherspoon said in an interview regarding her character: "You see so many beautiful people in this world, especially in the world that I live in and a lot of your first instincts is to discount women who put a lot of effort into their looks as maybe not serious about their job or maybe not serious about their relationships ... I think everyone naturally jumps to those conclusions ... I was interested in exploring the difference between [the way] someone looks and how people perceive them and how they really are. I'm not necessarily perky and bubbly all the time, so it's been a lot of effort to stay up and the amount of care and energy she puts into a lot things has really been a challenge for me and trying to convey that lightness all the time is hard work."
June 1, 2001
Legally Blonde (novel) is self published by Amanda Brown.
June 26, 2001
Legally Blonde (2001) Premieres in Los Angeles, CA. Check out some photos from the event that introduced Elle Woods to the World!
July 13, 2001
Legally Blonde (2001) releases in theaters. Legally Blonde was released on July 13, 2001, in North America. Its opening weekend gross of $20 million made it a sleeper hit for the struggling MGM studio, and it went on to gross $96.5 million in North America and $45.2 million elsewhere, for a worldwide total of $142 million. On Rotten Tomatoes Legally Blonde has an approval rating of 71% based on reviews from 150 critics, with an average rating of 6.20/10. The site's consensus reads, "Though the material is predictable and formulaic, Reese Witherspoon's funny, nuanced performance makes this movie better than it would have been otherwise." On Metacritic the film has a score of 59 out of 100, based on 32 reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews". The Legally Blonde soundtrack includes music from Vanessa Carlton, Samantha Mumba, Superchick, and Hoku, who sings the opening song, "Perfect Day." "No one really knew that Legally Blonde was going to be what it was, Literally, [my label heads] were like, 'This movie's not going to become anything.' And then the next thing you know, it's like, this iconic movie. And my song opens it!" Hoku said in an interview with Billboard. "Sitting in the premiere and hearing my song open the movie, and everyone's cheering – it felt like, 'I've really arrived now, folks.'" The soundtrack album was released July 10, 2001, by A&M Records.
July 2, 2003
Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde is released in theaters. Learn more about the sequel here!
Late 2003
Legally Blonde (novel) is professionally produced by AuthorHouse
Feb 6 2007
Legally Blonde The Musical starts it's pre-Broadway tryout at the Golden Gate Theatre in San Francisco.
April 3 2007
Legally Blonde The Musical begins Broadway Previews
July 23 2007
LB The Musical Cast Album is released. The Original Broadway Cast recording made its debut on Billboard's Cast Album chart, placing at #1, and it charted at #86 on the Billboard 200.
April 29 2007
LB The Musical Officially Opens on Broadway
Sept 2007
Legally Blonde Original Broadway Cast Pro-shot is filmed in front of a live audience.
Oct 13 2007
MTV Premiere of Legally Blonde Proshot
June 2, 2008
Legally Blonde: The Musical: The Search for Elle Woods Premieres
July 21, 2008
Legally Blonde: The Musical: The Search for Elle Woods finale premieres. Bailey Hanks wins the role of Elle Woods. Runner up, Autumn Hurlbert, became the Elle Woods understudy.
July 23, 2008
Laura Bell Bundy leaves Legally Blonde: The Musical and is replaced by Bailey Hanks
Sept 23, 2008
Legally Blonde: The Musical First National Tour Begins
Oct 19, 2008
Legally Blonde The Musical closes on Broadway
April 28, 2009
Legally Blondes (2009) is released . Legally Blondes is a 2009 American teen comedy film directed by Savage Steve Holland. Filmed as a pilot to a canceled television series, it is a spin-off of the Legally Blonde film series. Reese Witherspoon, who played Elle Woods in the first two Legally Blonde films, serves as a producer. The film stars Milly and Becky Rosso as Elle's British twin cousins. The film was released on DVD on April 28, 2009, followed by its television premiere on August 2, 2009, on ABC Family. British twin sisters Izzy and Annie Woods move in with their cousin Elle Woods in Southern California after Elle becomes a successful lobbyist and moves to Washington, D.C. Awaiting the girls are a pair of chihuahua dogs who are the nephews of Bruiser, Elle's chihuahua. The twins are dismayed to learn that they will be attending Pacific Preparatory (Pac Prep), Elle's alma mater, a private school that requires uniforms. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has only two reviews, both negative. Kelly West of CinemaBlend rated the film three out of five stars and wrote, "Like so many other movies ABC Family unleashes, this one is pretty predictable and nothing that'll really move you emotionally but it does have its moments."
Jan 13, 2010
Legally Blonde: The Musical opens on The West End. The West End production opened at the Savoy Theatre on January 13, 2010, following previews from December 5, 2009. 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. The show had taken £2 million in advance sales before it officially opened. It extended its booking period from the earlier date of October 2011 until March 31, 2012. The West End show won three Laurence Olivier Awards on March 13, 2011: Best New Musical, Best Actress in a Musical (Sheridan Smith), and Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical (Jill Halfpenny). The show closed in London on April 7, 2012, after 974 performances, significantly more than it played on Broadway.
2008 - 2013
Legally Blonde Tours and International Productions Era. North American tours The first national tour started on September 23, 2008. The original tour closed on August 10, 2010, in Vienna, Virginia, at the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. The first non-Equity tour launched in Jackson, Mississippi, on September 21, 2010. The tour closed on May 15, 2011, at the Shubert Theatre in New Haven, Connecticut. West End (2010–2012) At the Savoy Theatre The West End production opened at the Savoy Theatre on January 13, 2010, following previews from December 5, 2009. Legally Blonde was the first West End show to offer a ticket lottery. The show had taken £2 million in advance sales before it officially opened. The show closed in London on April 7, 2012, 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 final show of the UK tour was performed at the New Wimbledon Theatre on October 6, 2012. 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 on June 30, 2018. International productions Legally Blonde has had international productions in South Korea, China, Malaysia, Japan, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Sweden, Finland, Austria, Dominican Republic, Panama, New Zealand, Germany, Indonesia and Belgium. In Paris, France, a French-language production opened on May 17, 2012, at Le Palace. An Australian production began previews in September 2012 at the Lyric Theatre, Sydney, before opening on October 4, 2012. A Hebrew-language production of Legally Blonde premiered in Israel in February 2020. A Spanish-language production ran from October 9, 2023 to February 4, 2024 at the Teatro La Latina in Madrid, Spain.
2009 - today
Licensed Productions Era MTI Acquires Rights which begins the era of Legally Blonde in which the show would be produced regionally, in high schools, colleges, and camps. Several different versions of the show were published include a high school and JR version of the show. This caused the show to gain more and more popularity, and also to be turned into several different viral moments of trends, jokes, and memes.
April 7, 2012
Legally Blonde: The Musical closes on The West End
Summer, 2022
A tale of two notable outdoor productions in 2022 which bent and snapped this story into the 2020s. After falling away from the public eye for a few years. Two major productions of Legally Blonde relaunched this franchises into the 2020s, telling the story in a new and innovative way, marking its relevance. 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, starring Courtney Bowman as Elle. This production "with a fresh, modern take on the source material and a diverse cast of performers, [was] set to be one of the biggest theatrical events of the year". For the first time in a professional production, Margot and Enid were both played by a Trans Non-Binary People (Iz Hesketh & Alžbeta Matyšáková). This production additionally premiered with many updates to the musicals book and creative interpretations, like the incorporation of social media and tik tok trends to bring this musical into this decade. The Muny (2022) Following on the heels of the Regent Open Air's production, The Muny's production did notable legwork in revamping the story of Elle Woods. Early in its production, videos of dancers trying the challenging dance call for the audition went viral on tiktok with thousands of people attempting the dance. Refreshed casting, script changes, stellar choreography, the incorporation of social media, as well as the epic scale and scope of this production made it extremely successful. These two productions, as well as cultural moments in the following summer with the Barbie movie and birth of Taylor Swift's The Era's Tour made for a shift in the appreciation of girlhood, femininity, and pink in society and media.
June 2018
Rumors of Legally Blonde 3 begin. Reese Witherspoon confirmes that she's reprising her role in a third installment of the beloved franchise.
April, 2024
Deadline reportes that a Legally Blonde spinoff series is being produced with Witherspoon's production company, Hello Sunshine, and Amazon MGM studios. The series, which is titled Elle, is a prequel to the original story and features Elle navigating High School.
Feb, 2025
Witherspoon revealed that actress Lexi Minetree had been cast as young Elle for the Legally Blonde Prequel.
March, 2025
Elle begins filming in March 2025.
May, 2025
Our Production!
Sept, 2024
Witherspoon announces that the search for Elle Woods is on again! She announced an open casting on tiktok for the young, highschool aged Elle Woods which went viral with millions of views and thousands of young people posting videos on tiktok auditioning to be Elle Woods.
Legally Blonde has been notoriously joked with its contents being turned into viral videos and social media moments making it the iconically know story it is today. How did this happen?
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The Memeification of Legally Blonde
This page is currently being worked on! Check in soon for more updates!
Check out the additional resource guides based on particular needs and wants of our production.
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