Two weekends ago, I had the wonderful opportunity to see the theatre department’s Legally Blonde. Between its energetic songs, all-star cast and classic musical numbers, Legally Blonde was a show that anyone, even self-proclaimed “musical haters” would have loved. I attended three out of the four shows, and at each performance, audiences were entranced by the choreography and incredible vocals. Personally, I had a huge smile on my face the entire show.

Honestly, I could point out one hundred great moments and aspects of this show, but to save time, here are my top five favorite scenes from Legally Blonde: 

5. “Omigod You Guys”

The opening number of the show truly sets the tone for the entire performance. With an incredibly energetic collection of sorority sisters, the song is exciting and the audience was immediately entranced. Sophomore Caroline Mullins, senior Lauren Dove, and junior Megan Magill led the Greek Chorus with powerful voices and did a wonderful job in their roles throughout the musical. Elle Woods, played by junior Lindsay Dove, was first introduced in this number and you soon recognize the true power and range of her voice. In one moment of the song, a quick change is perfectly executed, which illustrated the hard work and dedication to excellence the show’s technical crew had.

4. “What You Want”

This was probably the longest number of the show but it never had a dull moment. This scene had it all. Junior Emma Vaughn’s facial expressions made the audience roar with laughter. Junior Devin Cannon and the ensemble’s hilarious portrayal of the typical frat party was brilliantly executed from the costuming to the ensemble’s acting. The “personal essay” performed by Dove as Elle Woods to the Harvard acceptance committee was both lively and well-choreographed. One underrated aspect of this scene that I especially enjoyed was the set. With a minimalist take on each setting, each character stood out without making the scene too busy.

3. “Bend and Snap”

“Bend and Snap” was probably the most iconic number of Legally Blonde. Anyone familiar with the musical, movie or even Ariana Grande’s “thank u, next” music video, knows of the “bend and snap.” I had high expectations for this number, and once again, the theatre department did not disappoint. Senior Amelia Vidrine’s portrayal of the hairdresser, Paulette, was classic and it mimicked the original character well, while also bringing a modern and personal take on the role. The choreography of this scene was well executed and did not distract from the acting or singing. Vidrine was able to show her vocal range in this song through Paulette and never broke character or got lost in the shuffle. I would have made this my favorite scene at the time I was watching it, but as the musical progressed, the cast and crew continued to impress.

2. “Gay or European?”

I loved this number. Honestly, I would not have been surprised if it was being performed in an off-Broadway production of Legally Blonde. Despite some issues with sound at the beginning of the Thursday night show, this song was executed to perfection. Junior Nathan Wright’s depiction of an ambiguously gay man on the stand in a murder trial was absolutely side-splitting, and Cannon’s depiction of his lover was even more amusing. The audience was engaged in riotous laughter throughout the entirety of the performance. Once again, the set was minimal but effective, and every person on stage—from lead to ensemble—was engaged and entertaining.

1. “Legally Blonde”

If you saw any of the shows, you know why this scene is number one. Every aspect of this number was enchanting. The set, which consisted of a single door, was incredibly powerful and allowed for junior Evan Vines and Dove, playing Emmett and Elle, to showcase their talent. This scene had the audience on the edge of their seats and some even had tears in their eyes. The onstage chemistry between Vines and Dove was deeply compelling and their voices and harmonies matched extraordinarily well. The lighting set the somber tone, and the song reset the audience after a previously energetic number. This scene was even more powerful due to Dove’s incredible voice. This song allowed her to fully showcase her range and emotion, and her performances in each show were unforgettable.

Overall, Legally Blonde was one of the best shows that the theatre department has put on in years. I have been going to Cedar Park’s fall musical since eighth grade and Alisa Mirabella, the new director, has truly turned the theatre program towards great things.