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When I was scanning through the tickets and schedules of Broadway Shows few years back, I learned that MGM’s and Reese Whiterspoon’s infamous movie Legally Blonde was adopted for a Musical show. I was actually shocked about it and thought that it could just be some other tacky show.

Last May of this year, Cee and I were in Carlos P. Garcia Auditorium to watch Avenue Q when we found out that Atlantis Production will also produced Legally Blonde and will be lead by Nikki Gil as Elle Woods. One and a half months later, we found ourselves fighting the traffic of Ortigas 15 minutes before the show. Luckily, we made it on time with few more extra time to claim our tickets and mingle with celebrities like Liz Uy, Raymond Guttierez, Iza Calzado, Karryle Tatlonghari, Richard Gomez, Lucy Torres and Ciara Sotto. Are you kidding me? They’re Kapuso!

It was my first time to watch a show at the Meralco Theatre and I was amazed that it’s kinda big. I wasn’t expecting that the event will be like an Awards Night with a Red Carpet like entrance, just add cocktails and canapes it will be like a formal function. This may be due to celebrities attending.

Anyway, Cee and I had great seats courtesy of Mae. We were seated at the fourth row Center Orchestra which gives the perfect view of the show and makes us one of the VIPs. Here’s what I can say about the show:

PRODUCTION DESIGN:

It was too pink… oh well, isn’t Legally Blonde all about pink? I think they’ve done a great job for the stage design considering it was locally produced. The backdrop, the chairs and tables were like pile of books in pink. Just imagine how they’ve turned these pile of books into Malibu, Delta Nu House, Jail House, Harvard, The Salon and Department Store.

CASTS:

Honestly, I doubted Nikki Gil’s capability when I saw her performance at ASAP XV when they showcased the show. It was off and I thought Nikki wasn’t good enough to be casted as Elle Woods. However, with was she have shown last night, I think it was an awesome performance! Though she there were few moments that she’s losing her accent for the role, I think she did not disappoint.

Jinky Llamanzares is one heck of a performer! She portrayed Paulette Bonafante the owner of the beauty salon. She deserves an standing ovation for her role!

Who could’ve done jumping rope singing for like 10 minutes without cracking her voice? Only Geneva Cruz can do that! I think that she was able to give justice on her Brooke Wyndam role especially to the Whipped into Shape part! Snaps on you girl!

Guji Lorenzana was just ok for the Warner role but Nyoy Volante as Emmett? I don’t get it. He and Nikki don’t have chemistry at all! I don’t know if it’s because of the height but I just don’t think he is a broadway material even though he have great singing voice.

Kudos to supporting casts like Cris Villonco as Vivienne Kensington, Jett Pangan as Prof. Callahan, Joel Trinidad, Felix Rivera who I may say is awesome on the Pool Boy role, Calvin Millado who is so funny on the Kyle role and my favorite performers of the night, the Delta Nu Girls especially the other blonde girl! She’s so funny! I Love her!

PERFORMANCES:

Never a dull moment (except when you realized that Nyoy Volante is actually part of the show) on this show and almost all performances were great! I’ll narrow it down to my Top Three Favorite Performances:

1. There, Right There (Gay or European!) – this is way too funny!
2. Nikki Gil’s Cheerleading Essay (What You Want)
3. Greek Chorus (Positive)

Runners Up:

1. Whipped Into Shape – Geneva’s Abs is so fab!
2. Ireland
3. Bend and Snap

All songs are great and mind you I’m listening to it right while writing this! I’m still on LSS for Omigod You Guys! I also love the melody of So Much Better.

To sum it up, it was indeed a great show and I won’t forgive Essa for taking a Rest Room break in Galleria if I missed even a single second of the show! I won’t hesitate to watch this show again if they bring it back to Broadway next year!

Saturday Night well spent!

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