UNI-BASED REVIEW: Ateneo Blue Repertory’s ‘Legally Blonde’
“Though it doesn’t delve too deeply into its more serious themes, this musical comedy is an undeniably entertaining spectacle performed with limitless enthusiasm.”
When taking on a blockbuster Broadway musical comedy like Legally Blonde—which is built on broad American tropes, and is very much about broadness in purportedly sophisticated places—all with the relatively limited means of a university production, it would be understandable not to capture the full scope of the original show. But while Ateneo Blue Repertory’s take on it still has a bit of scrappiness to it, it compensates by wisely leaning hard into the comedy with inexhaustible enthusiasm.
Legally Blonde is based on both the novel by Amanda Brown and the 2001 Hollywood film, and follows spirited UCLA student Elle Woods (LJ Bala, alternating with Danielle Nicola Tan), who enrolls at Harvard Law School to prove to her ex-boyfriend that she can be taken seriously. It’s an admittedly silly premise that doesn’t fully explore its more pressing themes of misogyny and abuses of power, but it makes for an undeniably entertaining spectacle with great comic timing.
Controlling the Noise
Even upon entering the Doreen Black Box Theater, Ohm David’s production design immediately encourages the eyes to explore. From the façade of a Greek temple on the main stage, a walkway leads down to a circular platform at the center (like a miniature forum), then back up a diagonal stairway to a balcony at the back of the theater. Such a sprawling set may be challenging for some audience members though, with those seated at certain corners forced to crane their necks and shift their positions to keep up with the action. The sound also occasionally lapses into dead spots on stage, muffling some dialogue and singing that could have soared higher in the mix.
Photo Credit: CJ Ochoa
And yet, when Legally Blonde is in motion, there’s so much to look at—from Hershee Tantiado’s vast wardrobe of costumes, to Jim Ferrer’s choreography that emphasizes traversal across set, to the wigs that don’t look real in the slightest but are charming all the same. Amusing props (a stuffed dog, a cardboard cut-out of a chalk outline) are constantly shuttled in just to land a joke, and director Meann Espinosa corrals the ensemble into coherent lines and areas of focus, maintaining a festive mood where there could have been just visual noise.
Legally Broad
The loudness of the show’s personality is also key to the story itself. Heather Hach’s book plays on patriarchal society’s stereotypes of women, but it also challenges Elle’s own self-assured identity. Even if she’s depicted as capable, worthy, and unapologetic about her bubbly attitude, Elle remains vulnerable to how others use this against her. The temptation to fall in line then comes from both sides: it’s either straighten up and let go of childish things, or stay in your lane and play the part of the “dumb blonde.” And Elle’s journey is refreshing in that it asks her never to compromise for herself, nor for misunderstood clients.
With that said, the musical’s actual use of legal dilemmas in its story is ultimately quite broad and hard to believe. The central murder trial in the second act is resolved in a way that doesn’t seem terribly dependent on anyone’s exceptional intelligence or strategic thinking. And even when it ends, the issues of predatory lawyers and misogyny in supposed “high society” are never really unpacked in a more substantial manner. Even Harvard as a setting doesn’t feel tangible, which means the production can’t fully emphasize the comedic or dramatic effect of Elle’s being a fish out of water.
Dignified Silliness
Still, when this Legally Blonde has to be its funny, feel-good, empowering self, it rarely ever misses a step. The score by Neil Benjamin and Laurence O’Keefe never spends too long on anything downbeat, pouring most of its energy instead into humorous numbers and busy group performances. The big band jazz of “Bend and Snap” and the wordplay of “There! Right There!” (also commonly known as “Gay or European”) are classic Broadway entertainment, the extended “What You Want” escalates into a full cheerdance routine, while the surprisingly modest title song earns its emotional punch after so many other manic numbers.
Photo Credit: Jill Barreiro
To execute funny material in an actually humorous way is difficult, but this ensemble successfully embraces the musical’s ridiculous nature and takes every opportunity to give even bit parts (a news reporter, a group of frat boys) a memorable throwaway moment. In supporting roles, MC dela Cruz makes for an easily likable and sympathetic love interest in Emmett, Gel Basa’s beautician Paulette is positively giddy with excitement, and Sara Sicam’s rival student Vivienne commands authority with sharp eyes and a muscular voice.
But without a good Elle, Legally Blonde can easily fall into cheap caricature—which is what LJ Bala consistently manages to rise above; her portrayal never makes Elle out to be ditzy or arrogant. She’s bright and expressive from the get-go, landing precisely into comedic beats while staying remarkably stable and emotionally affecting as a singer. Bala’s respect for the character’s dignity, as well as her co-stars’ respective energies, is the anchor that lets the show stay meaningful.
Tickets: P950 – P2000
Show Dates: May 3–11 2025
Venue: Doreen Black Box Theater, Areté, Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City
Running Time: approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes (with a 15-minute intermission)
Company: Ateneo Blue Repertory
Creatives: Neil Benjamin (Music and Lyrics), Laurence O’Keefe (Music and Lyrics), Heather Hach (Book), Meann Espinosa (Direction), Matthew Chang (Musical Direction), Jim Ferrer (Choreography), Ohm David (Production Design), Hershee Tantiado (Costume Design), Jethro Nibaten (Lighting Design), Kabaitan Bautista (Sound Design Consultant), Regina de Vera (Intimacy Direction)
Featured Cast: MC dela Cruz, Gel Basa, Raflesia Bravo, JV Fulgencio, Norbs Portales, Senanda, Misha Fabian, Matt Gador
Featured Student Cast: LJ Bala, Danielle Nicola Tan, Ron Balgos, Theo Gaspar, Sara Sicam, Bea Nunag, Aleczandra Luna, Zella Aspiras, Chim Tam, Tini Flores
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