‘Legally Blonde the Musical’ @ Repertory Company Theatre

Photos by Austin Chapman Photography

—Carol M. Rice

I find it hard to believe that the film version of Legally Blonde came out in 2001. That’s nearly 25 years ago! Based on Amanda Brown’s lively novel depicting her own experiences as a fashion-obsessed blonde in law school at Stanford—and on the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture, of course—Legally Blonde the Musical hit Broadway in 2007 with a book by Heather Hatch and music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Neil Benjamin.

The phenomenon of Legally Blonde in all its forms is nothing short of miraculous. It’s a simple story about stereotypes and discrimination based on how someone looks and how it’s possible to overcome these prejudices, but for the subject to be a beautiful, rich, white, blonde woman? Maybe it’s endured all these years because no matter what we look like, we can ALL relate.

Repertory Company Theatre’s lively production takes place at the Courtyard Theater in Plano, where director Michelle Levall has put together a large cast of talented singers and dancers. Levall also acts as co-choreographer with Kayla Starr Bryan; between them, they have the stage filled with energetic, synchronized movement—seemingly at all times.

As music director, Devon Harper handles the vocals. While the show utilizes tracks instead of live musicians, the singers and recordings work well together to create a coordinated performance.

Erin Gayan plays our heroine, Elle Woods, and makes the role her own rather than imitating Reese Witherspoon or Laura Bell Bundy, giving us a fresh new look at the blonde wannabe wife of Warner. She comes across as pretty intelligent from the very beginning, which makes her transformation from sorority girl to lawyer a bit more believable than in some other productions I’ve seen.

Jacob Waters has a great look for the object of Elle’s affections, Warner Huntington III, but comes across as almost too nice. We really shouldn’t like this guy, but in Waters’ hands, Warner seems mostly confused about what he wants—not as the jerk he is.

As Elle’s nemesis Vivienne Kensington, Ally Van Deuren picks up the slack and makes us wish for her downfall—but the moment she realizes what Elle is going through is perfect. Her conversion from foe to friend is believable and fun.

Jacob Sanders portrays Emmett Forrest, the recent grad who takes Elle under his wing and falls for her. He has great “boy next door” vibes, and his growth from scruffy law student to put-together lawyer is more than just the clothes in this production—it’s the way he carries himself. Nice job.

As Professor Callahan, Mike Egan has just the right amount of superior attitude, and when he shows his true colors, we know our initial instinct not to like the guy was right.

Gayla Atkins Cockrell plays the nosy beautician Paulette. Her performance is more subdued than others I’ve seen in the past, but her facial expressions are fabulous., especially once she meets the UPS delivery man Kyle, hilariously portrayed by Garrett Holton.

KyLea Ingram gives us a unique take on Enid Hoops as a friendly co-worker—not an antagonistic rebel out to change the system. While it was not what I expected, Ingram made it work.

Victoria Eggleston, Sanders Markham, and Audrey Reidling are the trio of Elle’s Delta Nu sorority sisters who act as her primary Greek Chorus. They are as different as they can be while still creating a unified group whose only goal is to help their friend. Levall and Bryan don’t limit the Greek Chorus just to these three, and I really liked the addition of the Delta Nu ensemble in many of the scenes.

Kristi Smtih Tomenga portrays accused murderer and fitness guru Brooke Wyndham perfectly. I have never understood how the actress playing Brooke can jump rope and still sing without sounding ridiculous and out of breath, and Tomenga adds cartwheels to the mix! She has the perfect look, smile, and comic timing for the role.

The simple set design by The Wood Shop/Mike Carter makes excellent use of projections, and Megan A. Liles’s costumes—especially for Elle—are exceptional. Josh Hensley’s lighting design occasionally leaves people in semi-darkness, but that may be primarily a follow-spot issue.

Legally Blonde the Musical is one of my guilty pleasure shows, and Repertory Company Theatre’s production does not disappoint. While some of the individual voices are not as strong as they could be, the acting, choreography, and ensemble make this a fun summer show to go see.

WHEN: June 20-29, 2025
WHERE: The Courtyard Theater, 1509 H. Avenue, Plano
WEB: rcttheatre.com