SAMMY SPIEGLER is Elle Woods in “Legally Blonde: The Musical” at the Westminster Community Playhouse.

By Thom deMartino
Orange County Tribune

Stereotypes are made to be broken.
The Westminster Community Playhouse is now staging “Legally Blonde: The Musical” for a limited time at the popular community theater. Directed by Dan Blackley, this adaptation of the beloved film introduces the audience to Elle Woods (Sammy Spiegler), the president of the Delta Nu sorority (Malibu chapter) with the seemingly perfect life.

This includes her ambitious boyfriend, Warner Huntington III (Garrett Claud) – that is, until he upends their relationship by saying he needs a more “serious’ wife to help his aspiring political career. But rather than just suffering the indignity of being dumped, the determined Elle decides she can prove her former beau wrong about her worth: by applying to and attending the esteemed Harvard Law School.

The sharp-minded sorority girl studies relentlessly until she can score a 175 on her law school admission test (LSAT), and dazzles the admissions office with not an application, but a colorful, sprawling dance number.

When the unconventional Elle surprises Warner on Harvard’s campus, he is shocked to see her, and none too thrilled either: particularly as he already has a budding relationship with the straightlaced Vivienne (Josie Larkin).

Elle’s got her work cut out for her, as she attends classes with the demanding, imperious Professor Callahan (Tom Proprofsky) but finds a helpful ally in his teaching assistant, Emmett (Ramy Alhawari).

There’s even an oasis for her to relax with a new friend in the local beauty salon, courtesy of owner Paulette (Mallory Kerwin), who encourages Elle at her lowest points and inspires her to continue.

The resolute Elle buckles down – at the behest of the encouraging Emmett – to try and land one of the four coveted internships with Callahan: and it’s not long before the professor and his team get involved with a high-profile murder case surrounding a famous fitness guru, Brooke Wyndham (Jenna Van Ommeren).
It’s no longer just G.P.A.s at stake, but a woman’s life: is Elle savvy enough to get Brooke her freedom, and prove her critics wrong beyond a shadow of a doubt?

The Westminster Community Playhouse stages one musical per season, and this is a particularly rousing and remarkably fun one.

The overwhelming pink of the background sets the mood of the piece, and the pink and white checkerboard pattern of the floor actually highlights the deft choreography of the cast, and makes the intimate theater feel that much more expansive.

Even if – especially if – they’ve never seen the original film, audiences will adore their introduction to Spiegler’s bubbly Elle, who turns the stereotype of the ditzy sorority girl completely on its head with her wit, wiles and plucky attitude. Pair this with the actress’s stellar vocals and beautifully empathetic character, and you have a marvelous lead – with some keenly talented actors backing her up.

While Alhawari’s Emmett initially stays on the sidelines at the fore of the story, he becomes a guiding light for her, as he showcases his own vocal talents with songs such as “Chip On My Shoulder” and the excellent duet “Legally Blonde” with Spiegler.

The ruthless, colorful Callahan is a delight to watch in Proprofsky’s hands, and there’s a rich menace in his performance of “Blood In the Water”. There’s also an intriguing chemistry between Claud’s Warner and Larkin’s Vivienne: one can actually see some of that charm Elle fell for, though one wonders whether he can really be a partner to his shrewd fiancée, or would he demand the spotlight?

It has to be acknowledged here though, that the viewer could probably very easily enjoy a show entirely surrounding Kerwin’s Paulette.

Larger-than-life does not begin to cover it, belting out her song “Ireland’ as she weaves the tale of her broken relationship and her precious dog her ex-boyfriend absconded with. She is a shining jewel in an already radiant show.

A deceptively inspirational tale with a stand-out cast and excellent choreography, “Legally Blonde: the Musical” is an splendid introduction to a strong female character that refuses to be pigeonholed into a stereotype, and instead discovers her inner strength and talents through her struggle. It’s appropriate for all ages, and definitely one worth bringing the family along for. Even if you’re not fluent in jurisprudence.

“Legally Blonde: the Musical”: Sammy Spiegler, Mallory Kerwin and Ramy Alhawari star in this uplifting musical adaptation of the popular film. Playing through June 7 at the Westminster Community Playhouse, 7272 Maple St, Westminster. Ticketing information available online at http://www.wcpstage.com, or call (714) 893-8626.