Last Friday, my mom got us tickets to the opening night of Atlantis Productions‘ Legally Blonde in Meralco Theater. Since my theater buddies were either busy or out of the country, I tagged along with my mom so she can also watch before she goes to Saipan.
Now, I liked the movie very much and a few weeks before I watched the Manila version, I watched the original Broadway musical on video and I was blown away. It’s a fun musical, and all songs were catchy and the story didn’t stray much from the movie version. In fact, I think the musical was better because we get to know more of Elle and Emmet, and it’s just more fun when there’s singing.
Legally Blonde in Manila is a fun show, too. :) Nikki Gil plays Elle Woods in all her pink-ness and blonde-ness, Guji Lorenzana as Warner, Nyoy Volante as Emmet, Jet Pangan as Dr. Callahan and Geneva Cruz as Brooke Wyndham. I’d rather not summarize anything and result to an easier review, so let’s go to bullets!
- Like I said, it’s a fun show. I love all the songs and the cast was equally energetic, and I think everyone had fun with that and the dances, too. Favorite performances: There, Right There!, Bend and Snap and Take it Like a Man.
- Favorite cast member: Jet Pangan as Dr. Callahan. I swear, he got the role down pat. Coming close is the woman who played Paulette — I’m sorry, I didn’t get her name. :-s
- I think Nikki did a good job with being Elle Woods, especially with the songs. I think the only reason I wasn’t too keen on her on that because from what I know about Nikki (like what everyone knows about her since she’s a showbiz personality and all), she’s not like Elle at all. I couldn’t shake off that impression of her as she played the blonde moments in the play, so it kind of felt off, at least for me. But she’s a great performer, that I can say.
- Nyoy and the original onstage Emmet had a lot of similarities, and I like his voice! But I think I’d have to agree with Anton of Our Awesome Planet — I wasn’t sure about the chemistry between Nyoy and Nikki. Maybe it is the height factor?
- Whipped Into Shape! I am in awe of Geneva Cruz’s abs. I kind of wished there were more people in that performance, though.
- I liked how they did the set — with all the books. It’s easy to connect to the show, and all the pink-ness didn’t matter, at least for me. :) I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a pink mattress there somewhere.
- The supporting cast were awesome, and again, I would have to sing praises to Felix Rivera. He had multiple roles, but his best yet is the pool boy. There, Right There! got me laughing all the way, just like it did on the Broadway version. Gay or European win!
- I found the Legally Blonde scene especially heartbreaking, just like when I watched the video. Nikki shone on that scene, and for a moment there I thought there were sparks between her and Nyoy…I think that’s the only scene where I caught the spark with their characters.
- I think the only gripe I had with the entire show was the sound system — the mics kept on dying through the show. :( It especially sucked when the mic died for Carlos during the revelation in the Gay and European scene. That was my favorite, and the mic just had to die, then. I’d have to hand it to the cast, though, they kept on going even if the mics were dying around them. The show must go on!
Overall, Legally Blonde is a fun show that will tickle not your funny bones but your heart. Don’t let the pink-ness bother you, and let Elle make her way into your hearts like she did in Harvard. Because omigod, this show is just too fun to skip. :)
Legally Blonde is showing in the Meralco Theater until July 18. For more information, visit Atlantis Productions.
