Get Your Pink On With Legally Blonde

May 12, 2023 by Two Sues On the Aisle

By Sue Weston and Susan Rosenbluth –  Two Sues On The Aisle

Legally Blonde, the most recent show at State Theater New Jersey’s 2022 – 2023 Broadway series, is a musical comedy that breaks stereotypes. The message it shares is that with the right focus, effort, and motivation anyone can succeed, even a blond from Southern California. Elle Woods (Hannah Bonnett – a Jersey Girl) is expecting to receive a proposal, when her college boyfriend, Warner Huntington III (James Oblak) accuses her of not being serious. She shifts her focus getting from a degree in design to admission to Harvard Law School and in the process, she discovers she has a gift for law. We left the theater humming tunes, a credit to the amazing performances of the talented cast.

Legally Blonde was a 2001 romantic movie, based on Amanda Brown’s real-life experiences as a blonde attending Stanford Law School. In 2007 it became a Broadway show with music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin and a book by Heather Hach.

The show is a tribute to the power of women and setting priorities. When faced with a challenge, Elle discovers she has the ability to power through. Assisted by Emmett Forrest (Woody White), she earns a prestigious internship and graduates at the top of her class. It addresses issues of gender bias, challenging the tendency to underestimate the power of women, especially pretty blonds. Justice is served when Elle proves her client Brooke Wyndham (Kaelee Albritton) also a blonde, is innocent by using her knowledge of fashion and culture. The show ends with an epilogue, an update on each of the characters, with Elle proposing to Emmett.

Legally Blonde is exactly what musical theater should be, an inspirational message wrapped in a spectacular fun-filled colorful performance with catchy songs and a happy ending.

As always, State Theatre New Jersey performances are captivating, with talented actors, musicians, and stage crews who bring the illusion to life. We applaud the talented performers of the traveling show, who were in New Jersey for only three days before traveling to their next location.

Next Year’s Lineup

State Theatre New Jersey announced their 2023-24 Broadway Season which includes:

• Chicago the Musical on November 18-19
• Come From Away on January 5-7
• Annie on February 2-4
• The Cher Show on February 9-11
• Clue, based on the 1985 movie and the classic Hasbro board game on April 27-28
• The Kite Runner on May 3-4
• Mean Girls hilarious hit musical by comedian Tina Fey on May 11-12

Season tickets for the 2023-24 Broadway Series offer holders a 20% savings on single ticket prices, a Broadway season-lidded cup that gives holders half-price drinks concessions for the Broadway series, and ticket exchanges within the series.

For more information visit STNJ.org/SeasonTickets, email Concierge@STNJ.org; or call the Season Ticket Hotline at 732-247-7200, ext. 555; or schedule an appointment at STNJ.org/Concierge.

About State Theatre New Jersey 

In December 2021 State Theatre New Jersey celebrated its 100th Anniversary. Originally built as a silent film and vaudeville palace. State Theatre New Jersey is the largest performing arts center in Central New Jersey and has welcomed more than six million people through its doors since reopening as a non-profit performing arts center in 1988.

Experience Local Live Theater

Live theater may feel like a throwback to another era that existed before the technology of streaming provided virtual connections.  It is a very different experience, a real-time performance, in front of a live audience, is unpredictable, actors may make mistakes, and there is no rewinding, editing, or deleting.  Similar to the explosion of immersive experiences in live theater there is a connection between the actors and the audience.  While the shows are scripted, practiced, and perfected, it comes together and becomes real only when performed for an audience, whose applause is a sign of appreciation.

For some actors, the theater is a hobby, while for others it is a passion-turned profession. Theater cannot exist in isolation, they rely on audiences. We are fortunate to have State Theater New Jersey located in New Brunswick, making it affordable and convenient to attend.

We look forward to covering the 2023-2024 Broadway Series!

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Two Sues on the Aisle bases its ratings on how many challahs (1-5) it pays to buy (rather than make) in order to see the play, show, film, or exhibit being reviewed. 

Legally Blonde Received a 4 Challah rating